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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!"
don't shoot me bro
glamming over the ugly ass beginner armordressing up as a vegetable and armed with a water gun. she'll raise said water gun into the air when she lands a hit on yael and laugh. this poor man. ]Didn't your parents warn you about what kind of information you give about yourself online?
[ she'll lower her hand and water gun to her side. no more shots for now, at least?? ]
It's really not that bad, though, is it?
tomato uta is canon
Instead, he's going to ineffectually glare at Uta. Grr. How dare she!!]
That doesn't apply to adults. Maybe you find this fun, but you wouldn't feel the same way if you were the one getting blasted in the face.
it's better than her piros the third cosplay
Well, what's stopping you from returning fire? There doesn't seem like there's any shortage of weapons to make use of.
[ be the change you want to be yael. be the the change... ]
And isn't that kind of a double standard? Why are adults suddenly safe from those sort of things?
but she looks so good in gold!
Guess I could do that. Are you sure that's what you want?
[She may want to rethink that suggestion when Yael starts picking up various plates of food from the table.]
"If you can't beat them, join them"... Well? Place your order.
[Want some tomato soup in your face, Uta? How about a nice juicy steak?]
that's besides the point...!
If it will bring a smile to that face. [ even if that isn't her job...or responsible for. ] You know, this isn't one of those games where you just relax and do nothing.
[ as yael starts picking up plates, she'll slowly raise the water gun and aim it at yael while taking a few steps back. ]
What do you recommend?
no subject
I recommend the soup. It's fresh.
no subject
How did you know that tomato soup was my favorite?
[ is it really? probably not, but the irony of what her glam is and what she gets hit with isn't lost on her. though cue her wiping it off of her face then going to shoot at yael again with the water gun. ]
Where are my manners; can I help you to another drink?
no subject
[Did it really tho... Unfortunately for Yael, he's just as bad at dodging as Uta. He gets hit square in the face with a stream of water and comes out of it looking like a wet cat. Nya...]
Try filling that thing with booze. That might not be too bad.
no subject
[ ...unless he's into that kind of thing? power to him if he is. though more realistically, she is pretty sure what he's aiming at here. something something drinking culture. ]
Unless you want to try to catch it with your mouth.
no subject
You could, but you'd have to stand pretty close. That's a little bit too much like you feeding me though, so I think I'll pass.
[Her avatar is cute, but she also looks pretty young. That's gonna be a no from Yael, dawg.]
no subject
[ how dare he not trust her gamer aim?? but hopefully yael wasn't looking to get a reaction of disappointment from uta because he's not going to get one. if anything its relief?? she hadn't even considered it but.
thanks. she's polite enough not to call him out for being an "old" man. ]
But I wouldn't want to send the wrong message either.
no subject
[He's not trying to add any accusations of flirting with people in an MMO to his rap sheet. God knows he's been accused of doing plenty of similarly innocuous but embarrassing things.]
Still, that's thoughtful of you. You're more self-aware than most of the people here.
no subject
Consider it a necessity for the kind of work that I do. Saying and doing one thing incorrectly could have serious repercussions.
[ we don't need uta to experience cancel culture before cancel culture becomes a real thing. that said, she can still have a bit of fun?? ]
However, if there's ever a reason that you would want to reconsider testing my aim, then I'm happy to test it.
no subject
[But he isn't pushing Uta to explain, so she'll get away with her nebulous answer for now. As far as Yael sees it, it's really none of his business.]
Who knows? Maybe we'll find a place that enables PvP. If we do, I wouldn't mind sparring a bit.
no subject
It isn't that vague if I explained things, however, I'll hold you to that. If there ever is a PvP area, we should test out each other's aim.
[ old man vs an e-girl.... ]
I won't go easy on you.
no subject
[Yael says with no small amount of amusement, but he really isn't that bothered by the prospect. If Uta kicks his ass, she kicks his ass. He's known plenty of capable women in his life.]
No, it's more like I can't let someone so obnoxious get a leg up on me. I'd never live it down.
no subject
[ it's the hear 2k, it's fine for men to lose to women, isn't it? some people like that sort of thing or something else along those lines. that said, however, uta will be more put out but the claim of being obnoxious. it isn't the first because the internet is a cesspool but— ]
If you think this is obnoxious then you haven't seen anything just yet. I can promise you that I can be even more "obnoxious" after you lose.
no subject
[Maybe Uta expected Yael to be dissatisfied with that answer, but on the contrary, it makes him grin. Sometimes you favor strong, obnoxious women.]
You better live up to your claims, lady. If you sniffle and cry after I kick your ass, I'll be disappointed.