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CyberConnect Corporation ([personal profile] cccorp) wrote in [community profile] altimit2023-07-27 08:51 am
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โฌฃ//A WHOLE NEW YOU.

โฌฃ//CONGRATULATIONS! YOU WON! ๐Ÿ™‚

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 โ€” a must to play such an advanced game โ€” 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.
Welcome to The World's first event! Your plotting post is here.

โฌฃ//YOUR ADVENTURE BEGINS SIMPLY.

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.

"Hi, everyone! It's time to begin! Meet me at the Chaos Gate!"


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.

"Welcome! I'm Zelkova. I'll be your point of contact during Fragment's closed beta! Before we start celebrating, let me give you guys your armor and equipment. You can't fight monsters without that stuff, huh?"

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 Boots

Twin Blade: Railroad Spikes Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Wavemaster: Splintering Rod Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Macabre Dancer: Paper Fans Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Edge Punisher: Yaoi Oar Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Flick Reaper: Farmer's Sickle Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Harvest Cleric: Magical Girl Stick Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Lord Partizan: Stop Sign Helmet Worn Armor Frayed Gloves Squeaky Boots

Shadow Warlock: Travel Pamphlet Tacky Hat Light Robe Light Gloves Old Shoes

Steam Gunner: Water Gun Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots

Tribal Grappler: Fishticuffs Leather Cap Ugly Cuirass Deft Gloves Worn Boots



It'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.

"Well, that's all the boring stuff for now! This is an exciting opportunity for us all, so why don't we start the beta with a proper party?"

โฌฃ//PARTY LIKE IT'S Y2K.

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."

โฌฃ//ZELKOVA'S QUESTION CORNER

โฌฃ 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?"
โฌฃ 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!"
โฌฃ 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!"
โฌฃ 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!"
"That's all for this week's edition of Zelkova's Question Corner! If have questions you'd like to ask me, send me an email any time!"

weaseled: (6)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
๐Ÿ‡ณโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ผโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡งโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฎโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡ฆโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฑโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ทโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ
[Yael spends longer than most staring at the pile of shitty weapons and equipment spread out before him on the table. His eyes eventually settle on the Railroad Spikes, his avatar's hand idling over a pair of them... and idling...... and idling........]

Huh. This all looks like crap. Are these seriously our weapons?

[Help. If he can't even equip his weapon, what chance does he stand of equipping the rest? Please don't ask how someone so completely inept was given a beta key to this game.]

๐Ÿ‡ฉโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ดโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ณโ€Œ'๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡ธโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ญโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ดโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ดโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡ฒโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ, ๐Ÿ‡งโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ทโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ดโ€Œ
[Once Yael has mastered the delicate art of equipping his weapons and armor (no doubt with assistance), he wanders around the party proper... only to get hit by something. A nerf gun? A blast of water to the face? Some horrible foam piece of shit that blares out obnoxious air horn noises when it strikes his avatar?

Whatever the case, it's annoying, and he swivels on his heel to try and grab whatever or whoever hit him. Naturally, he succeeds in grabbing nothing at all.]


Seriously, how old are you? Knock it off.

[Haven't you read the rules? No fun allowed, punk.]

๐Ÿ‡ฑโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ญโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฒโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฆโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡ฉโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฎโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฌโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฎโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡นโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฆโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฑโ€Œ ๐Ÿ‡จโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฆโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ฐโ€Œ๐Ÿ‡ชโ€Œ
[Even later on into the party, Yael's finally come around to leering at the wide variety of food and drink available on the table. Supposedly, you can taste all these dishes as if they were the real thing... but he's honed in on the alcohol and is sneering at it suspiciously. If you wander over his way, he won't hesitate to point to it and question you.]

You try any of this stuff yet? [...............SQUINTING,] And it didn't do anything funny to you? Just curious. I'm not gonna be the guinea pig that tries it first.
Edited 2023-07-29 16:08 (UTC)
curvaceous: (kara18)

kara belmont | original

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
fishticuffs
[ Kara, or rather, "KaraBear", had spent a little too much time customizing her avatar and making sure she looked spick and span for Fragment's opening. Customization is the best part of MMOs, after all โ€“ even she knows that, despite not being huge on them! โ€“ and when she arrives in town, and subsequently the gate, she has her hands on her hips as she listens to Zelkova.

Level 100? Makes sense, given that he's going to be their point of contact. Armor and equipment? Also makes sense. They need that to fight!

What doesn't make sense, however, are the hideous "Fishticuffs" she's acquired. She squints at them, and wrinkles her nose.
]

Oh my god, really? I knew starting armor would be bad, but this is prettyโ€ฆ

[ Pretty bad. Pretty damn bad. ]



nerf gun fun
[ The party begins, and Kara's not one to turn down an opportunity to socialize. She's eyeing the food and the drinks, wondering if consuming them will really matter since this is all a video game. That's why the first thing she does when the party starts is head for the games. Armor glam can come later.

Party favors. Nerf guns. Perfect.

She grabs one for herself, gives it a little inspection, and then she looks at anyone else who may also be interested in these little toy weapons.
]

Hey! [ That's the only warning they'll get before she aims her nerf gun at them. ] Think fast!

[ She fires a dart. Looks like you're in it now! ]


socializing
[ Throughout the party, Kara can be found approaching people at random, whether they be wallflowering or partying it up themselves. She has a plate of crackers in her hand, and she seems to be munching on one of them as she walks up to someone and holds it out towards them. ]

Hey, wanna try one? They actually taste like real crackers, y'know! It's amazing!

[ She gives them a nice little smile.

Alternatively, you can catch a wild bear casually walking around, or sitting down for some some people watching. (She's taking her avatar name quite seriouslyโ€ฆ)
]


wildcard
[ I am literally down for anything you want to throw at me, but feel free to contact me if you'd like to plot anything specific! Kara's inbox is here if you want to send her a message. ]
fluorite: dnt (92)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:07 pm (UTC)(link)
i - equip, unequip;

[ Having the beginner armor handed to them is nice and all, but that doesn't help Fai when it comes to actually equipping it. He's never played an MMO before, and that very fact becomes quite obvious when he equips a piece of armor... and then immediately unequips it because he's clicked on it again when he should have left it alone.

He does this a couple more times, and a frown starts to grow prominent on his lips. ]


Hmm...

ii - time to party;

[ He's mostly here to have fun, and that means using the tools provided to him to make his own kind of fun. Unfortunately for everyone else, "making his own fun" turns out to be spritzing people with the water gun or pelting them with the plastic darts from the nerf gun.

Fai mostly targets the antisocial people in the crowd, but he might also simply feel inspired and hit your character anyway. It's too bad for everyone else that he's aiming for the head and he's got good aim. If your character feels something hit the back of their head and they turn to find the source, unfortunately whatever hit them will now also hit them square in the face. ]


Oops~

[ Yeah, he sounds real apologetic. ]

iii - to drink or not to drink;

[ When he's done with being a nuisance, Fai takes up a station at the banquet table, trying out different types of food. It's a strange feeling, being able to taste the food and feeling a little bit fuller from it even though he's well aware that he isn't actually eating anything real. Honestly, he's not going to think about that too hard, because it'll give him a headache.

So, Fai decides he'll see just how advanced this game is via the alcohol selection and he quickly snatches up two cocktails. With everyone gathered in a small area, it doesn't take long for him to bump into someone else. ]


Care to share a drink with me?

iv - wildcard;

[ Create your own adventure! Feel free to plot with me and we can come up with our own prompt! ]
696_9: Transformed and yelling. ([e] ugh you suck)

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-07-29 04:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[At initial login, a blonde girl with her eyes covered walks through the streets. She tilts her head up and taps her chin, then gives an impressed hum.]

No wonder they gave us all this fancy computer stuff. How did the graphics get this next-gen?

[But when they gather for armour and equipment, she wrinkles her nose.]

Do they not have anything cuter? I mean, it's not like they cared about making this strong or anything.

[At the party, though, she's immediately gone for the armour skins and now has a fluffy white dress and, for some reason, a bouquet on the end of her spear.]

I. Look. Amazing! Totally worth it! At least I'm not that poor sap over there dressed as a tomato or --

[And then she notices whatever you're wearing.]

Uh, no offence, what is that?
curvaceous: (kara19)

digital cake

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, not the alcohol, but I ate some of the desserts.

[ She gives him an amused little smile, and she shakes her head in response to his question. ]

I don't feel anything so far, so I'm pretty sure it's safe. Try some!
696_9: Transformed, struggling or upset. ([e] ugh i hate this)

fishticuffs

[personal profile] 696_9 2023-07-29 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
No kidding, what is that? It's like they want to humiliate you or something.

[She sorts through the weapons with a grimace clearly visible even when you can only see half her face.]
curvaceous: (kara19)

time to party

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
[ While Kara isn't one of the antisocial people in the crowd, she'll still become a victim of Fai's nerf gun escapades...as if she doesn't have a nerf gun in her hands herself. She feels herself get pelted, and she turns around to face the perpetrator.

There's a mischievous glint in her eyes as she immediately shoots a dart back at Fai, aiming for his torso in particular.
]

Oops!
weaseled: (22)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah. So far.

[Huff huff grump!! Yael stares at the cake. Sure, it looks fine, but is it really?]

What if you drop dead five minutes from now?
curvaceous: (kara14)

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Seriously, this is awful! I was expecting something cooler than fish!

[ Really, Fragment? Really? ]

Don't tell me you got something way better.
fluorite: dnt (18)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This is the perfect reason to target the more social people here—they'll hit him back. ]

Ah, a counterattack!

[ He grins, immediately aiming for her face yet again. He'd never aim for the face in the real world, but here? Avatars can't actually get hurt by foam darts. ]
fluorite: dnt (21)

don't shoot me bro

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Fai grins when he succeeds in only grabbing video game air, using that extra bit of time to blast Yael in the face with more water. ]

Twenty-six. Lighten up a little. Have some fun~
curvaceous: (kara04)

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
That'd be your problem to deal with, wouldn't it?

[ She doesn't seem to seriously consider this though, because she snorts and starts giggling immediately after her response. ]

I'm kidding. Don't you think it'll be nice to have a little bit of fun? It's just a game!
curvaceous: (kara14)

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey-! Not my face!

[ Wow??? She furrows her brow and aims for his face as a counter attack. When she fires, she can't help but smirk a little. ]

Heh, you're pretty sneaky, aren't you?
weaseled: (pic#16592436)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah, right. Games are supposed to be fun.

[SAID IN THE WORLD'S FLATTEST MONOTONE.................]

Well, why not? Wait. What do you mean it'd be my problem to deal with? If you drop dead, I'm not... putting you in a digital grave. I'm leaving you here. [POINTS TO THE GROUND.] Right there. On the ground.
weaseled: (pic#16581035)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't sound so proud.

[He feels all gross and wet now, thanks! This game sucks!!]

I'd have more fun if you left me alone. Just saying.
curvaceous: (kara02)

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Sheesh, how callous! Not fair, old man.

[ She folds her arms across her chest, but she still seems to be taking this in stride, given that she's still grinning. ]

Don't tell me this is all because Hani and I ran into you at the market.
fluorite: dnt (31)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She gets him right in the cheek, and wow, it's strange feeling like the little foam dart has actually hit him.

Fai laughs, bringing his nerf gun down to his side. ]


You need to be for games like this, right? Getting the jump on an enemy is important!

[ Well, not really. But he has no idea how these things work. ]
fluorite: dnt (94)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Really? You seemed bored, actually.

[ He spritzes Yael in the shoulder this time, just to accentuate his point. ]
weaseled: (26)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Hey. What did I just say?

[This feels unnervingly real. Yael's half tempted to log out and double check that he isn't dripping with water irl too.]

Knock it off.
weaseled: (26)

1/2

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[....................................]
curvaceous: (kara17)

[personal profile] curvaceous 2023-07-29 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Isn't that something! Actually feeling things in a VR game!! Surely that's fine... ]

Yeah, I guess that's true. We're just practicing for the real deal, huh? Not that I'll be using anything like this in combat, but it's good to know our aim's pretty on-point.

[ ... ]

Kinda weird that I really felt like I got pelted, though. Did you feel it, too?
Edited 2023-07-29 16:32 (UTC)
weaseled: (25)

[personal profile] weaseled 2023-07-29 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[oh GOD. Don't tell him this girl knows him in real life?!]

You've got the wrong guy. Sorry.
fluorite: dnt (100)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Hmmm? I didn't hear a "please" anywhere in there.

[ He lifts his water gun up again, but doesn't pull the trigger... yet. While he doesn't expect a please, he'll "politely" wait for one anyway. ]
fluorite: dnt (20)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-07-29 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
Aim is important.

[ Especially for magic classes, though he thinks Kara might be something else, just going off of the armor she received earlier.

Fai pauses, though, considering her question. ]


I did, actually. It's strange. I didn't think technology was so advanced.