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⬣//A WHOLE NEW YOU.
On a day like any other, you're checking your email when one in particular catches your eye. We invite you to Fragment, the subject line reads, and the sender is a name everyone is familiar with: CyberConnect Corporation.
It doesn't matter whether you signed up for Fragment's closed beta months ago or simply found the mysterious email sitting in your inbox. The fact remains that you are one of the select few chosen to participate, and in a word gone fully digital, you can't afford to turn down such an opportunity.
Those who accepted the invitation were given much more than a free pass to beta test the latest and greatest MMO. Upon confirming their participation, employees of C.C. Corp arrive at their homes and outfit them with top-of-the-line internet — a must to play such an advanced game — a brand new PC, and a state-of-the-art VR headset created by C.C. Corp themselves specifically for this beta test. You may call it excessive. They call it necessary.
When the morning of July 29th rolls around, you're finally able to access Fragment and create your character. By default, your avatar resembles your real world appearance, but naturally you're able to fully customize your look from head to toe. Want green skin? You got it. What about twintails that stretch down to the floor? You won't have to worry about those clipping through your armor in a game as advanced as Fragment. The sky is truly the limit!
Once you've settled on your avatar's appearance and class, you log into your home Root Rown: Mac Anu, a city forever at twilight with a series of canals snaking through it. It's done up in a series of flowing banners and balloons, glitter and confetti carried along by a gentle breeze you can feel along your cheeks.
Players are given some time to wander around the Root Town and acquaint themselves with the feeling of being fully immersed in a digital fantasy world, but after some time, a soft, playful voice echoes all across the Root Town.
When everyone gathers for the meeting, they're greeted by the cheerful face and pitchy voice of an enthusiastic young boy. Unlike you, a level 1 newbie without a single GP to your name, targeting the boy reveals a few things: his name is Zelkova and he's level 100. Huh. Is he cheating? Maybe he's someone important?
In either case, you'll have your answer when Zelkova begins to speak, sweeping his arms out wide to greet all the new beta testers.
With a wave of his arms, a table pops into existence before Zelkova. Sprawled out on the table is an immaculate collection of... shabby level one weapons and equipment. Yikes. What, did you think you'd be fabulous from the jump? That's not how MMOs work!
Zelkova encourages everyone to step up and grab the set (or sets, if you're an Adept Rogue) to outfit themselves.
YOUR NEW ARMOR AWAITS.
Blade Brandier:
Rusted Blade 
Leather Cap 
Ugly Cuirass 
Deft Gloves 
Worn BootsTwin Blade:
Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsWavemaster:
Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesMacabre Dancer:
Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesEdge Punisher:
Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsFlick Reaper:
Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsHarvest Cleric:
Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesLord Partizan:
Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky BootsShadow Warlock:
Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old ShoesSteam Gunner:
Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsTribal Grappler:
Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn BootsIt's... not very impressive, sure, but beginner sets in MMOs never are. Better get dungeon crawling if you want to step up your glamor game.
What better way to celebrate your acceptance into Fragment's prestigious beta program than a blowout party? Every inch of Mac Anu is decked out for the occasion, and once everyone has picked up their armor, Zelkova's armory disappears to reveal a vast banquet table piled high with food, drink, and party favors.
There's cuisine from every corner of the world just waiting to be devoured, and what's more, you'll taste the food like you're really eating it! Zero calories never tasted better. The drinks work much the same way, and there's even alcohol that will get you drunk in no time flat. Take it easy on the cocktails!
Still, maybe you're not feeling adequately dressed for the occasion. Never fear! There are a set of armor skins to pick from. Feeling a bit peckish? Dress up as a vegetable. If veggies aren't your style, how about this sleek little number? Those are just a few of the silly party costumes available for the occasion, and when it's time to depart, Zelkova will graciously allow you to keep your favorite skin to wear whenever you please.
Finally, don't forget to pick up some party favors! There's a foam weapon that, when equipped, takes the form of your class' weapon of choice... but what does it do, exactly? Well, hit another avatar with it and find out for yourself. There are also an array of paint ball guns, nerf guns, and water guns for use in Root Towns. Pick up one of each! Be the annoying friend no one wants to invite on a dungeon run.
Before you leave, Zelkova hands you a Greeting Card that can be emailed to anyone on your friend list. "Try sending it to one of the new friends you made today! I promise they'll love it! Oh... but be careful not to accidentally send it to someone too."
⬣ Zelkova, this level one armor sucks! I want better stuff!
"Don't worry, new player! Better equipment is a button press away! Well... after you earn it. Why don't you give Area Exploration a try?"
⬣ I'm a social butterfly ready to spread my wings and take flight on the winds of friendship! Can I start a guild?"Heehee... About that! This is a beta, you know? We're still getting stuff ready! Maybe if you wait patiently, you'll be able to form and join guilds in... a week from now. While you're waiting, make some friends! You'll need guild members!"
⬣ I hate walking! My feet hurt! I want something that will do all the hard work of moving around for me!"What? Your feet hurt...? Turn off the pain sensors in your feet! As for alternative travel methods... well, there are "those"... Oh, that's a great idea! Give me some time and I'll see about finding some Grunties for all of us!"
⬣ How can I communicate with other players? I want to stay in the loop!"Great question! That's what the official forums are for! You can ask for help, search for parties, share interesting discoveries you've made and just about anything else on your mind! Give it a try, but be careful: the head admin is kind of a grump... but you didn't hear that from me, hehe!"
3;
I doubt it had anything to do with actual skill.
[Owen barely spares 0koto a glance, more interested in the weapon displays for this silly party.]
Seems like they'll let anyone into this, after all.
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Hahaha, so sour as always, Owen-kun! Can't you ever just say 'hello'? Do they not teach that in English? Too bad, eh?? I guess it's not 'education', either.
[Of course he made a beeline for his favorite target. He's got to see which equipment he ends up picking, after all. He shakes a dismissive hand out over the table.]
How lucky that they disabled combat here so I won't have to embarrass you in front of all the newbies.
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Ah, I could, but where's the fun in that? Do you want special treatment, Okoto?
[He knows that's not right, but he doesn't care.]
You're talking awfully big for a man just holding a travel pamphlet, but I suppose brainless DPS is a class that works for you.
no subject
[And what did Owen pick... he side-eyes the paper fans of the Dancer class with derision.]
You're right, it does work for me. After all, it's not like you can fight back with those. What are you going to do, tickle me?
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[Wow, what's wrong with his fans!! They're perfectly serviceable.]
I don't want to know about your kinks, Okoto, but if that's what you want me to do, it could be arranged.
[give him enough $$$ and he'll consider it.]
no subject
[Of course, it's always about the sex jokes with Owen. He should have known.]
Sorry, but that's not my tastes. And even if it was, I wouldn't be asking for it from you... Though I'm sure that just kills you inside.
[Anyway, the money can wait until he knows what he wants out of it...] They really took pity on you overseas users with this one, huh?
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[Can't believe Matoba isn't into pasty twinks....... devastating news.
Or it would be, if Owen actually thought Matoba was a catch, but he's too smart and too scrawny for his taste.]
Aiming for an international userbase is the smart thing in this day and age, isn't it? But I know you like to keep a closed mind to that sort of thing.
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[Sweetest smile!]
If they have the software to maintain it this time. Last time, all it did was lag runs with international teams. Sorry your infrastructure over there is so behind, but we never have any problems in the Japan-only servers.
Ah, which reminds me. You guys probably won't get any promotional codes from the launch marketing collaborations either, too bad. If you pay me, though, maybe I can get you some codes.
no subject
Eh, I’m not really concerned about all of that. I’ve already been offered a few gifts of promotional codes, actually… but you don’t know anything about generosity, do you?
[A certain internet model (for a family friendly term) may have mentioned the Fragment beta and was asking their fans about codes, but clearly that has nothing to with Owen. Owen just has a lot of friends in high places!!]
It’s why you have no friends and get off being an ineffective bully.
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Haha, is that what you think? I'm sure someone like you doesn't know anything about it, but many of us actually have lives outside of the internet.
[Maybe that's why he's been just about gone from the internet and CC Corp's other games for the last year......... Details unimportant.]
You'd know, of course, which is why you don't have anyone here to party up with, right?
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[He’s a busy man! He also works nights at the bar, which is why his online time matches up with Matoba’s despite the time zone difference… how lucky.]
Most of my friends aren’t gaming sorts, it’s true. A pity, but at least we can entertain ourselves in… other ways.
no subject
[VR must be pretty time-consuming for a schedule like that, huh? Unless... Oh. This is part of the hustle.]
..."Friends". Oh, I see, so that's how you really get your money. I guess you must be excited for general release, so you can move your business into the VR space.
no subject
[It's not that he's not sort of correct, but also he has no interest in letting Matoba knows he sings. The less he knows about Owen and the worst his assumptions the better.]
Though I should let you know that there's actually a strict "no touching" policy. You'll have to find someone else to take your virginity, dear Okoto.
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[Wow, he wants to know more?? Not for any reason other than embarrassing Owen further, of course. Note to self, look into this after he logs out....]
Haha, take, that's very funny. Unfortunately for you, I'm not the blushing maiden you were hoping for, but if you end up desperate for customers, maybe we can make some business arrangements. For a cut, naturally.
Just say the word.
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[He doesn’t think very highly of his intelligence! But, sure, just wants to embarrass Owen. No other reason at all. Totally doesn’t think Owen’s hot.]
I’m not interested in you being my pimp, and I’m certainly not interested in cutting my profits… I’d have to be a fool to make deals with you.
[you some sorta nasty crime boy or something!!]
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[The power of spite and determination... and a lot of underworld contacts.]
[Matoba gives Owen one more obvious once-over, just to make him really feel exposed. Had he ever imagined what the guy might look like in real life? Not really, but they were all under avatars, anyway. And there was no way of knowing which ones were just idealized versions of themselves, and which ones were total manufacture.]
[He didn't expect the nasty little twink. But he's not exactly surprised, either.]
I don't need you to be a fool. Desperation is enough. We'll see when we get to opening, shall we?
[Yeah... Wouldn't be the first time, and certainly not the last.]
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Well. He'll handle it, if Matoba finds anything.]
Don't hold your breath. Or do, actually. It would be nice to not have to listen to you anymore.
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[Enough of that, huh? Matoba gives a casual wave, content to leave it at that for now. The next time he meets Owen, maybe it won't be in the game. ♥︎]