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⬣//A SINGLE CRACK LETS THE LIGHT IN.
As they say, fortune favors the brave. Five lucky players took part in a Limited Quest: The Mysterious Sky Islands, in which they discovered a brand new Root Town. While the team was largely successful in their efforts to make the mysterious floating town in the sky habitable, not everyone embraced the spirit of teamwork on this journey.
When you gate in to this shiny new Root Town, you'll notice something curious: it has no name. Its name simply displays as "???" in every context menu and there is no signage around the Root Town itself that points to its true name— rather, the name it had before they came along.
Whispers on the wind tell of an evil wizard in flowing white robes who ruthlessly boiled the village elder alive. With him died all of this mysterious Root Town's lore and history, and in its place are tales of the monster who robbed this land of its identity. The elemental sprites that populate this village refuse to speak their name, simply wishing you "good luck, have fun!" as you turn to leave.
While on your journey to check out the island, you'll notice how unstable the bridges are. Unstable might be putting it lightly, because for some unlucky souls, crossing the wrong bridge means plummeting to your death. It seems that whoever was put in charge of constructing these bridges didn't give a damn about structural integrity.
The local sprites are pleading with adventurers to assist them in building better, more stable bridges, but bridging the gap between one island and the next is not a job for a single person. If you have enough of a heart to heed the pleas of the sprites, you'll want to work with your fellow players to get the job done. All the wood, nails, and rope you need to construct better bridges has been helpfully supplied to you by the sprites. You could always sabotage the project too, of course, but what kind of person would you be if you did that?
The professions system has been added to fragment. Rejoice, busybodies, for there is much furniture to be built and dubious potions brewed.
In celebration of the new crafting & gathering system, a crafts festival is being held in the Unnamed Root Town. Take care not to plummet to your death while traversing those rickety bridges.
Players are encouraged to set up a booth of their own and trade their unique handcrafted items with their fellow adventurers. In addition to being supplied with enough level 1 and level 2 crafting materials to give the crafting system a spin, the local NPCs are running a contest encouraging people to come up with their own for a chance to have their creations canonized as real crafting recipes.
To submit your own recipe ideas, you need only fill out this handy form:
Recipe name:
Recipe category: Alchemist, Carpenter, Chef, or Jeweler?
Which two items does your recipe call for? Choose two items to combine. Only gatherable items (refer to the professions page) can be used.
Effect: What does this item do, if anything?
Description: A brief description of your lovely new product.
Fragment's beta test has seen its fair share of unusual bugs and unintended features, and with the latest update bringing many new changes, it's inevitable that some things have broken behind the scenes.
If two players happen to log in at the same time, they might find their avatars swapped with one another's. Thankfully, this issue doesn't lead to the unpleasant exchange of deep-seated memories or anything of the sort, but getting used to a body that isn't yours takes time. Thankfully, this particular bug resolves itself when both players log out.
The windy town of Unnamed Root Town is generally quite scenic and pleasant, but there's just one issue. It's far, far windier than it should be. If the rickety bridges don't kill you, the gusts that intermittently blow across the sky islands might knock you off your feet if you don't watch your footing carefully. Thankfully, the crafts festival on the southernmost end of the island hasn't been impacted by the severe winds. Among them is one voice that you don't recognize: a voice that promises a death, gruesome and bloody, in the days to come.
To everyone's relief, the carnival and its notorious hall of mirrors has packed up and left Lumina Cloth, but your past hasn't finished haunting you. The foul winds carry whispers of the past along with them, uttering words and phrases uncomfortably familiar to you. They're the voices of your past, the voices of people you've known, loved, and lost. Covering your ears won't keep the voices out of your ears. Nothing will.
Finally, on the more mundane some of things, professions have a few kinks of their own that need to be worked out. Occasionally, a crafted item won't come out quite right, instead resulting in one of the following "items":
Alchemist: Truth Serum. Become unable to lie for 24 hours.
Blacksmith: Whatever you're enhancing transforms into a denim disaster. Introducing your new "body" armor, "leg" armor, "head" armor, and "arm" armor.
Carpenter: Mirror Mirror. Reflects the person you're most afraid of becoming.
Chef: Durian Delight. A succulent durian pudding that reeks so strongly that its stench can be smelled all across the Root Town or Area you're occupying.
Jeweler: Crystal Ball. Breaks after one use but allows you to read another player's thoughts for five minutes.
With crafting in full swing, a certain admin has been lured out of his hidey hole by the smell of delicious chef-prepared meals. Hien is hungry, and you will feed him.
Chefs are not limited by the recipes they know like some professions are, so players are encouraged to think outside of the box and combine unique ingredients to cook up something truly special.
Taste, however, isn't the only important part of a perfect meal. Chefs looking to impress the big man himself are expected to present their culinary delights to him with pomp and finesse. You need to impress Hien if you want to gain more from this venture than the participation prize of a chef skin.
Those who successfully woo Hien with their delectable dishes will be given an additional prize: a little black pomchi pet to accompany their avatar around Root Towns and Special Areas. Hien will be giving these out at his discretion, so you better suck up to the dogboss in charge if you want a pomchi of your very own. If you catch Hien in a good mood, he may even agree to give you a different breed of dog if you ask nicely.
Hello, everyone! Can you believe it's been an entire month since our beta test began? Even though we've already been through a lot together, we've still got three months left! I'm rooting for you all!
As of today, the level cap has increased from 25 to 50. That means new armor and weapons will be available to you! Get out there to different Areas and start leveling up! But don't forget to stop every once in a while and enjoy your surroundings, too. Which reminds me—don't forget to check out the new Recreational Areas! We have a beach and hotsprings for you to enjoy now. I hope everyone continues to have fun exploring!
We've also opened up the GP shop, where you can create your own special armor set for a certain price, along with a few other things. Please check it out!
Oh, and don't forget to use these three new greeting cards I've made! Here they are! Make sure you use them so you can connect with your fellow players! We're all friends here, after all.
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I can measure it just fine, with these "mickey mouse" sized hands.
[ The other did not use that term but he is acting like he did.
He's going to get a cheek pinch for that, Ganymede tells himself, but then there's the way the other male's hand moves to cover one of his hands, a light touch against it with a thumb. ]
Of course I do! I-I like dancing with you...and it isn't like I'm feeling unwell or anything!
[ He is a bit more honest here than he likes to be, but he can't help it. Michel's face is so close, and like this, his hand is against his cheek. ]
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Those hands would be... large.
[ He thinks. He's not interested in trying to conjure up any memory of what some mascot character looks like. He's interested in the way Ganymede's hand goes still against his cheek. Still holding him, still making no effort to pinch or tug.
What is that look? The flush to Ganymede's cheek. The catch in his voice. The way it feels like both of them shy away, just a little, each time their eyes threaten to meet. ]
I'm unlikely to be a quick learner. If you're really prepared for that kind of trouble...
[ Does he want to talk Ganymede out of it? Is he really convinced that he's feeling well? But Michel's fingers aren't uncurling from Ganymede's waist; his other hand only shifts so he can reach over and tuck some of Ganymede's hair lightly behind his ear. Ganymede is always fiddling with it, and now the temptation to do the same is overwhelming. ]
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...I guess.
[ Not 'I guess' but 'yeah you're right' but what else is he supposed to say?? ]
I'm more than prepared. Unless you decide to step all over my foot, but I doubt that you'd do that. Right?
[ His words become a bit of a mutter when he feels the shift, the soft touch of those fingers lightly pushing gently some of his hair behind his ear. ]
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That would not be my intention, no. But I can't offer cheap promises.
[ Luckily, whatever his DEX-equivalent stat is is just fine... provided Ganymede doesn't do anything sudden or too complex. But leave it to Ganymede to be stubborn enough to undertake this. Michel's fingers falter a little when Ganymede's voice quiets, that hand wavering in indecision. Stop? Repeat? He finally decides to complete the gesture as casually as he can before holding that hand palm up to accept Ganymede's again. ]
...Is this a dance where you hold my face?
[ It's hard to distinguish deadpan joke from actual question with Michel's level tones, but there's just a hint of real uncertainty that might point to the latter. ]
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You're really a humble guy, aren't you?
[ Ganymede slips in. But yes, he is very stubborn about this, as is within his nature, and he has been kind of picturing it for awhile now. But he'll pause and pinch Michel's cheeks because he takes it as a deadpan joke, so maybe he is also doing it lessen the awkwardness just a tad. But he brings away his hands, only moving the one to grip a hold of the other's hand, and his now free other hand to rest against a shoulder. ]
Not anymore. See?
[ His avatar blue eyes peer up at Michel's innocently as he moves to have them go again. ]
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[ Hadn't Ganymede said essentially the opposite of that at the party? Not that Michel is holding that against him...
He lets out a little huff of exasperation when Ganymede pinches his cheek. He should have been expecting that. He was half-expecting that. But it dispels a little of the restless tension — nebulously pleasant as some of it is — and he curls his fingers easily around Ganymede's again. ]
I'll remember that step later. I presume that mark on your cheek is where I should pinch?
[ He's too savvy by now for that innocent look. But nonetheless he moves readily when Ganymede does, pulling Ganymede just a little closer. Just a little closer. He'd really only wanted to watch, but... if he can absorb even a tiny spark of Ganymede's passion and focus by touch, that would be a memory to carry with him. ]
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Yes, for now.
[ He says quickly, feeling the warmth on his cheeks threatening to return despite him remembering how cute the reaction the other male had just a scant moment ago was... ]
What, were you looking to pinch in return?
[ Playful banter again, even as they draw a bit closer than last time, on account of Michel pulling the other male a touch more towards him. Not that he's about to object. Far from it, really. ]
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I thought that was how the dance was done.
[ Does his deadpan sense of humor come across somewhat different when his voice sounds like -- whatever that tone was in his voice, just now? He's being ridiculous. It must be the lack of sleep, at least in part. And yet. ]
...Why did you take off today?
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Very funny. How would you know the dance was done like that?
[ That sure is a shift in his tone of his voice. Which is absolutely...unfair. Yeah, that's exactly what it is. Unfair and ridiculous.
But the serious question gets him to glance off to the side, amazingly keeping them moving without any stumbles. ]
Anyway, I wanted to...be sure you were alright. And, to spend more time with you, once I was certain—only when it was convenient! C-clearly, it turned out that way.
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[ Who could possibly have put that idea in his mind, Ganymede?
It's easier to talk while they're in constant motion like this. Not easier to think — but that was a lost cause regardless, considering the hour and his condition. And really, there's something to be said for talking without thinking. He normally would never have actually asked Ganymede why. ]
I thought it might have been because of the voices...
[ His hold on Ganymede tightens a tiny bit in surprise. The alternative possibility had seemed too unreasonable to really consider. Just for him. To spend time with him? He'd worried him to that extent? He should feel more guilt than anything else, and yet. ]
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[ Ganymede says in a bit of a flustered tone. It really is all his fault...he will (un)happily accept the blame for this!!
Anyway, constant moving helps with ultimately keeping their minds alert or something. Even in a digital game. When the other male brings up the voices, he can't help be a touch curious. ]
...You were struggling with that, right? Who did you hear? N...not that you have to answer that.
[ He adds in the last part quickly, but. He so happened to have been curious. Of course, he knows he heard voices of his own. First, a family member who was still alive, and then dreadfully, a certain red-haired bastard of a man. Either way, these instances made him concerned, especially noticing Michel's absence, even if it could have been for real life reasons. ]
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[ That "quick learning" might only apply to teasing Ganymede. But he's managing not to trip over him, at least... even if that's more to Ganymede's credit than anything. It feels as if he's stolen something, being able to have this much contact with -- a friend, simple and unquestioned.
He hasn't yet figured out how to tell Ganymede that he wanted to spend time with him, too, when that question catches him unguarded. He jerks a little against Ganymede like a man who's just been knifed. The silence stretches for a long, long time, until it's not clear if he's taking Ganymede's offered evasion or not. ]
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But, then there's the sudden stop, and it catches him off guard, enough to stumble forward, straight into the other male's chest. ]
Michel?
[ ...They were talking about it, so he hopes it wasn't completely out of nowhere. Well, it probably still surprised him. Like a lot. He is just checking he didn't somehow fuck him up or something in asking, even if he had given him an out. ]
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Why is he still hesitating? Ganymede has already shown him vulnerability. He can't pretend any longer to be just fine, when his absence had been conspicuous enough to worry Ganymede like that. When he had been worried about Ganymede going through the same. How can he feel such warmth at that, and at the same time, a spike of defensive anger from being thought of as "struggling"? He is struggling. He is only just barely afloat.
You always did like to withhold anything that might prove disadvantageous... ]
...Aimee. My brothers. Both parents. Two friends.
[ With as little inflection as if he's reading off a grocery list. He blinks a few times to dispel his thoughts. ]
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For me I only heard my brother and, well, that demon of a man.
[ Just two voices. But it's enough in retrospect.
There are names in there, and he wonders if he should ask. But, he knows by now there's something freeing in talking about things, to an extent. If he hears the struggles Michel has, he can prepare himself to support him in turn. And, that is something he wants to do.
He can't do that, living in ignorance. So, he picks a name, looking up at the other male's face, taking note of the robotic tone. ]
...Who is Aimee?
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Your brother? Ilus?
[ He asks it gently, but with a little guilt. He's pried into Ganymede's reserve more than once now, while still being reluctant to part with any of his in return. His fingers curl around Ganymede's more firmly to give one awkward squeeze. ]
...Aimee. The girl in the memory.
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That's right. Though, I couldn't understand it at first.
...But maybe I just didn't want to hear it.
[ Ganymede might have been in a minor 'I have had enough' phase, and tuned out what he could, really. He feels the awkward squeeze, and returns one of his own. Holding someone else's hand...before all of this, he remembers doing something like that before. When he was younger, with family, and then some minor relationships that ended almost as swiftly as they began, then now here.
But only with Michel does he find himself constantly aching for more. To find every single excuse he can to get closer, even beyond his desire to be there for him. It should scare him, in retrospect, as he's thinking about it again. When Michel talks about the girl, he can only wonder...how much does it scare him to let someone in, after that. ]
She wasn't family, was she?
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It would be better if it had stayed that way.
[ Some part of his brain that might be very slightly more awake than the rest notes the absurdity of standing here talking about this, still holding Ganymede as if for a dance. He gives him a tiny nudge of uncertainty, unsure if they should move again. ]
Not at that time. Our families have been close for... [ A shrug. He might have known the exact history once, but he deeply doesn't care now. ] She was staying with us for a few years.
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But maybe so is common sense, which some of them might lack by being here but hey.
He feels the nudge and decides to give a small tug in return, to get the other moving again. If he wants. ]
...In a perfect world.
[ Not even in a place like video games does such a thing seem to exist, though. Then, hardly thinking about it too much, he follows up his previous question with this stellar number: ]
Is this ex-family friend dead?
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He could almost borrow Ganymede's words back as a quip. "In a perfect world." But, really, he won't even joke about that. ]
She's married to my brother now.
[ A pause. He's not sure if he should ask this, when they're just starting to find a peaceful balance again. But the energy drink and sleep-deprived lack of mental clarity win out, so... ]
And that man?
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I hope someone decides to kick that woman off the nearest cliff or shove her into oncoming traffic.
[ Anyways, as they're dancing, he pauses for an answer hurled his way. There's a reason it doesn't come immediately. ]
...I don't know what's up with him. I want to be certain that man's dead, but I never saw his dead body, even after events happened as they did, so it is entirely up in the air.
[ He certainly doesn't want him to be alive, though. That is obvious enough. He doesn't mind saying this as much, however. But despite this the grim nature of the conversation, Ganymede doesn't see fit to stop moving. ]
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I don't... wish any harm on her. She's the mother of my nephews. I don't want to find that I could feel joy at causing my family pain.
[ He's grateful for the anger on his behalf. And he's tired. He shakes his head a little, eyes sliding half closed as if he would fall asleep like this, Ganymede still in his arms as the move unhurriedly around the empty docks. ]
You didn't see what happened when you escaped?
[ He doesn't know the story, and it's probably as sore for Ganymede as his memories are for him. But Ganymede is still moving, always moving. It's soothing. ]
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...My escape was a blur. I barely remember anything since I was just so out of it at the time.
But, at some point as I was running, there was a moment I had stopped, even though that German agent told me to keep moving. Then, suddenly, I saw him. Next, I recall holding my dagger, and I...
[ ...It's the first time he hesitates. But he looks Michel straight in the eye, even if he doesn't finish his sentence. At first. There's a small shake of his head as he just sighs, but he continues moving. ]
I'm not sure what happened next. But after that, I woke up in the hospital.
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You think you might have stabbed him.
[ Michel completes the unfinished sentence gently, no judgment in his tone this time. If he really did have the power to curse anyone... someone like the man who killed Ganymede's brother and kidnapped him would have been a worthy target. He pulls Ganymede a tiny bit closer, half a hug instead of a dance. ]
No one told you what happened once you woke up?
[ Or they didn't know, or all of that was conducted while Ganymede was still unconscious. ]
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As for asking him about it? This is a way of getting some details slowly but surely. Ganymede knows himself; he isn't exactly the most calmest of individuals anymore. And Michel, he's...if he can know more without dragging out all the hurt all at once, he'd like that to be the case. ]
I think so.
[ He has no remorse for doing that and he hopes it means he killed the man, but he withholds making a statement like that, even though Michel holds him close. He doesn't care if it makes the dance stop because he'll reach out to return the embrace, wanting one himself. ]
"The organization responsible for this has been taken care of," Is basically what the response consisted of. Among...unimportant facts. Though, I'm not sure if they really were that successful.
Groups like these have such a long reach. But, maybe it's just because I know it's better to be cynical than optimistic.
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