Event #7: Knocking on the 4th Wall (Inside the Metaverse)

[seasonsmods]

Knocking on the 4th Wall
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Prelude (Pre 4th Wall)

On March 14th, everyone received a message. The Research Center is ready to try another test to find ways to beat the Darkness. This time the test is not done with the robots that were previously used, but instead everyone who volunteers will be participating in a virtual reality simulator. They're asked to come over to the Center on March 15th.

The researchers will explain that the purpose of this simulation is to see how several fully powered power holders fair against the Darkness. They have gathered enough data on it and the dark energy in general to determine the effects it will have on nature, monsters and wildlife if the barrier is taken off. This is the only safe way to actually test their theories.

After all the necessary explanations, everyone is asked to log in to the metaverse. Anyone logging in may notice that there are a lot of glitches as they enter.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, anyone looking at any kind of a screen (their own device, television, a digital advertisement, etc.) will have their mind sucked into the metaverse, due to the virus residing in the program. Their bodies will be left in a sleep-like state wherever they may be.

Wrong Turn at Albuquerque

The Research Center staff intended for all otherworlders to start near the Research Center so they could get used to the metaverse in peace. There are no natives in the simulator, so testing out powers around the city would have been safe as well. However, because of the glitch, people can appear anywhere, either in the city or anywhere on the segments (save from the one closed off location).

Sometimes the scenery and items in the world glitch a little bit, reminding anyone that this is the metaverse. Except the glitches weren't meant to happen. Luckily they're all mostly aesthetical, but some items may work differently than they should. You have a spoon? It actually works like a fork.

Luckily, this doesn't mean they will be without any items. They can open a menu with the device on their wrist that lets them get anything at all from Riki's Rewards during the simulator without any cost. They can think of this as special opportunity to test out all kinds of items before buying them, as they work exactly the same as they would in normal space.

For some reason, the Shady Shop also appears in the menu. That was not anyone's intention as the items are, well, shady.

Other than the two shops there are basic potion and magical item menus that people can use where needed. Even vehicles, such as airships can be summoned through the menus for easier traveling in the segments.

Some might find the glitches concerning and wish to return and tell the researches about them. The problem with that is is that clicking "Log Off" won't do anything at all, even if it's supposed to boot someone out of the metaverse. But that's not the end of the strange things going on.


You're in the Metaverse Now

Along with the otherworlders that were participating in the test, others start to join in as well due to unforeseen circumstances. Luckily, they have the same "settings" as everyone else, so they're not completely without aid wherever they end up in. They also have all of their powers unlocked for the duration of their stay in the metaverse (including all animal transformations).

As part of the strange glitch going on everyone also has access to any powers from previous worlds, if they have experienced other places before. It would seem the powers can also be shared through the item inventory, should anyone want to temporary use another world's abilities. This is possible with even a person's native powers.

And as if that wasn't enough, people who weren't on Ellipsa start appearing as well. Anyone who doesn't currently have a body on Ellipsa has a mark somewhere on their body, signaling that they're just data. This mark is somehow related to the characters that has it and emits a faint light.

All of the people who are just visiting will also be able to enjoy the metaverse the same way as anyone else. They have been sorted into a Seasons and have access to full powers - and the same item inventory. All that's different from the others is that they have no physical body to return to in this world.


Communication is the key

During the metaverse adventures, people are able to communicate through their devices, but the messages will not go out to the "normal" network. So the messages are only between those in the metaverse, but at least the network works the same way as it would in the "normal world".

Happy communicating.

It's Getting Dark, Too Dark to See

The goal of the metaverse is to have a safe environment to test powers against the Darkness. All of the barriers have been taken out, except for the one surrounding the city of Nightwake. The city acts as a safe haven to anyone who needs a break or doesn't want to fight.

Everyone is encouraged to go to where the barriers used to be and use their full, unlocked powers against everything and anything the darkness throws at them to see how well they can fight against it.

Thanks to all powers being unlocked, destroying enemies powered up by the Darkness is a lot easier, but pushing back the approaching darkness still needs something more than just raw power. Though with enough power holders of different seasons working together and crossing the different seasonal element streams fusing together different elements from each season in a single attack, it's possible to halt the advance, much like a barrier would, for 24 hours.

Due to the barriers being off, all creatures are stronger due to the Darkness's influence. Even creatures that normally have no danger level can now at least do Dark damage. Some Slime especially may seek vengeance.

Unfortunately, due to the weird glitch in the system, everyone inside the metaverse is able to feel pain when they originally weren't supposed to, to make the experience safe. It feels very real, and there's a chance any non-lethal wounds will appear on the person's real body.

Effects of "The Darkness"

The Darkness is slowly expanding from all sides. Very slowly, at a snail's pace. Everything it touches turns into black sand, before transforming into something different. Some may even recognize the things that rise from the sand, as they're monsters, fauna or people from their own world, made into more twisted forms. They may even be creatures from a popular media from back home... or at least, someone's home (players').

If a Power Holder walks into the Darkness, they won't immediately turn into anything. Instead the transformation is slow and painful. Leaving the area will stop the transformation, but any damage already done remains. If the person changes completely, they might lose their sense of self completely and attack anything in their sights.

What they turn into depends on the individual (player's choice) and the only way to reverse the changes is to die. Luckily that isn't permanent even in the metaverse. The person just gets booted out, but can re-enter anytime they want to (or in this case; is forced to). This was told to anyone before entering the program, so they could go all out and test limits as much as they want.

Wait... Did I Save?

A screen appears either when someone dies or gets forcefully booted out of the metaverse. It has two options: Remember or Forget.

Clicking "Remember" will automatically save everything that happened into a person's memory and proceed to boot them out. Clicking "Forget" will lead the person to a series of "Are you Sure" pop up windows. As the very last resort, the window suggests an option to only partially forget events that transpired in the metaverse. Choosing to still forget everything will make the person wake up from a long, dreamless sleep. The memories erased cannot be found later on, as they have been completely erased from their metaverse-selves. Even someone telling them what happened won't sound familiar.

This option is also available for any visitors during the time they're visiting. Whenever they die they get booted out and can be immediately returned to the metaverse (by the power of players) with or without their memories, depending on what they chose.

Of course, anyone can then tell the person about the very crazy stunts they made the last time they were in the metaverse. They could be complete lies, but they wouldn't have any solid proof, other than "I would never do that".

Time to Say Goodbye

Finally, on March 31st, a message comes from the outside. It's telling everyone stuck in the metaverse that they can finally leave out of their own will and stay out this time. People can then choose to leave immediately be pressing by pressing the "Log Off" button on their screen or take a moment to say goodbye to the temporary visitors of the metaverse.

The screen asking if someone wants to "Remember" or "Forget" appears, once again. This time the Forget option is even more insistent on asking if the person is sure about their choice, especially since the memories that are erased can't be taken back later.

Once everyone who exists on Ellipsa has returned to their bodies, the metaverse will be shut down. All visitors have been booted out and returned to where they came.

OOC TIPS

• Ask 4th Wall related questions here. Read the 4th wall FAQ before asking them.

• You don't need to comment on the plotting post to participate & anyone can participate in the 4th wall (there's no separate invitation needed). However, if you wish to app in later, you need an invite if you're not a friend of the mods.

• This post is open to tag and top-level by everyone! Those arriving for the 4th wall can write 4TH WALL or VISITOR on their post and/or link their top level here!

• Check the Opt-in top-level if you're considering bringing in a character that already exists in the game.

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a separate entry (like to your musebox or characters' journal).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Reminder to players in the game that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on March 31th, at 23:59 PST.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[idkillforthat]

[ He may be able to pick up on an exhale that sounds a lot like relief, even if Kenny's posture doesn't change much. He may have heard someone say this isn't afterlife by now, but it's always good to confirm with multiple sources. His shoulders seem just a sliver less tense. ]

...I see.

[ A moment later, a smirk is back on his place, though it somehow looks a bit less deranged now. He's... actually happy, he realizes. It would've been a waste if Levi had survived him only to perish somewhere else. The brat deserves to live a long life. Find some sort of happiness. ]

Heh. Runt's still got it, then.

[urtitan]

Do you have a device?

[If he doesn't, she'll use her own to show him the winter guild's website and the overview of winter power holders' abilities.]

Please don't get too excited about the shadow travelling and void pockets, alright? In this simulation, we have access to all abilities our season provides, but in the real Ellipsa, we have to learn them one by one. I've barely even begun to master my wind control.

[Her intrusive memories and episodes of struggling between her vow's original purpose and the changed future circumstances really don't help her focus...]

[mayoninofukucho]

[The death vision bastard man seems pleased that Levi's still alive back home which, in turn, provides relief to Hijikata. Now he most likely won't catch any ire over an enemy being alive and well!]

"Still got it" is an understatement. He's been making bank going on quests here. But honestly, even the complimentary amenities here were already an upgrade from your shitty world.

[He wonders if Levi and the hat-wearing stranger worked together before... but the way he called him a runt so affectionately almost seems like something more of a mentor-mentee relationship.]

You know him, then? Are you also in the Survey Corps?

[Maybe he was Levi's senior there? Come to think, didn't he use a similar technique earlier..? Could it be that this guy is Levi's teacher?! No wonder he's scary!]

[idkillforthat]

Ya mean this thing?

[ He fishes out a strange device from his pocket and just casually throws it at her. Hope she's good at catching! Either way it will probably be easier to show him the information on her own phone, and then give him the rundown on how to use his afterwards. ]

[ Kenny still looks skeptical but he does read through it; every now and then he turns away to immediately test out something that has caught his eye. Some things he gets immediately, others take a few tries, but overall he seems quite good at just knowing what to do instinctually once he's had some time to think about it. ]

Oi, who comes up with these shit rules? T'was my favorite.

[ As if to illustrate, he just... suddenly disappears, then shows up once again lounging on the bench. ]

'Nd they gave us all this-- magic 'n' crap, so that we fight their battles for them, am I gettin' this right?

[idkillforthat]

[ Their shitty world indeed. Well, Kenny can't argue with that, though he's disappointed in it for other reasons rather than the lack of "amenities". ]

[ Losing his dream. Losing people he loved. Never tasting the ultimate power. ]

[ He huffs and spits overboard. ]

Pshah, that gaggle of lunatics racin' to become titan shit? That's Levi's hobby. I've got better things to do with my time.

[ Speaking of which... the hat rises a little so he can stare at Hijikata again. It's not a glare, exactly, but it's still plenty unnerving, in the same way Levi's looks often are; their irises are the same stormy gray, too. ]

Ya seem t'know a lot about our world for somebody who hasn't spat out a word 'bout his own. What's yer deal, Twitchy?

[urtitan]

[They'll spend another few hours on phone usage lessons for seniors, won't they... but Frieda has the patience, not least because she wants Kenny to be able to comfortably navigate this world! For now, though, the seasonal powers take priority.

She encourages him as he attemps various abilities, and she's sincerely impressed with how fast he gets the hang of most (including the shadow traveling) - is it because it's easier in this simulation, or is he just that much faster on the uptake than her? Or does her inherited will really nerf her this much..?

Before she can dwell on that too much, Kenny's last remark sours the mood a little, and she's quick to try and put things in a different light - emphasis on "try".]

You shouldn't put it like that. These people are desperate; their world is all but being eaten up, and they had to leave their homes and flee into these barriers.

[Does that sound familiar or what...]

That said, you're not wrong. They do rely on us to go out into the Segments and take out monsters they themselves are powerless against, and to eventually push back against the Darkness itself. This simulation is a test run for that task.

[Maybe it really is no wonder that she's struggling so much. Again and again, she finds herself reevaluating whether the locals even deserve the help, what with the 'Tragedy of Greed' bearing that name for a reason.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[So the hat man and Levi aren't Survey Corps comrades... while Hijikata feels the impulse to defend those "lunatics", he also can't really say that the assessment is wrong. Who would be crazy enough to join the Survey Corps? (All those good people he's gotten to know, clearly.)

It's only now that the similarity of that steely grey glare really hits him. Are they related..?! But as he tries to formulate the question in way that might actually net him an answer rather than just some dismissive quip, Kenny beats him to it and inadvertently gives him a good lead-in.]

That's Hijikata for you. What's your name, anyway?

[He can answer that first before he gets to learn about Hijikata's own shitty world!]

[idkillforthat]

[ THEY SURE WILL pls just get him one of those nokias with buttons... it's hard enough on him already... ]

[ Well, the simulation did grant them all the powers they didn't normally wield... and then, Kenny is pretty good at figuring things he's capable of on the go. Something something Ackerman. ]

Everyone's always desperate. Ain't changing the part where they just grab people 'nd expect 'em to do their bidding.

[ So. He says that, but does it mean he's unwilling to help? Probably not. He'd still like to be asked, though. Maybe given a mansion or something. ]

[ At the very least, they could give him back his friend and his sister, since apparently the powers that be are capable of that in this place. ]

[ But wait. ]

Monsters, ya say?..

[ Maybe he can at least get some fun out of this situation. ]

[idkillforthat]

[ It's a common sentiment, really. ]

[ Kenny glowers a little, considering whether he should entertain this guy for a while longer or just shove a gun into his mouth. He did technically just tell him his own name, but the information disbalance still irritates him. Well, he can always deal with him later if he refuses to cough up anything interesting... ]

[ Is this a bad time to remember that Mikasa's glare is also quite similar?.. Speaking of which; ]

That's Mr. Ackerman to you.

[ Is he petty? You'd bet. He says it with a huff, too, clearly mimicking Hijikata's own words. But he'd figured his name isn't exactly a protected secret anymore, especially not here, and there's nothing Hijikata can do with it anyway. ]

cries im so late

[feminae]

[ Oh, fantastic. ]

I don’t know, father, you attacked me first. That isn’t very good parenting.

rises from the dead like a discount zombie. hi.

[feminae]

Somehow, she’d forgotten about that little rumor Armin had spread.

“I’m really okay,” she confirms, spreading her arms. Look at me, Bertholdt. I’m fine. See? “I wouldn’t have let the Eldians touch me.” So she’d sealed herself away in Titan crystal, not knowing if she’d ever leave it, and that had been its own torture. Trapped, only half-aware, hearing the voices of those around her as if in a dream…well. She doesn’t like to think about it.

But somehow, the way Bertholdt had said it makes her realize that this is Bertholdt, that he’s here, alive in a way that even grabbing his shirt hadn’t. “You— ” another deep, shuddering breath. “ —you died, Bertholdt. And…”

…and Armin ate you. She doesn’t say that, though.

ok! and oops, I srsly didn't get the gmail notif. what's up with that. XD

[leczdeszczrozmyllitery]

Age matters to some.
But I suppose it's nothing compared to your age, hm?

It's wonderful to see you again. I was beginning to complain about that, in my old age. I'm happy you didn't hear that.

[chuckles]

[urtitan]

Yes. There are many kinds, but they're all distinct from titans. Some are just larger, more aggressive versions of animals, but some are completely different things, like slimes and elemental spirits. There's a list of them somewhere in the guild websites, too.

[And it doesn't take her long to find it! Look at all those creatures, Kenny!]

Of course, I don't seek out fights, but even I had a few encounters. I saw a demon and a snow shark!

[If not for the presence of capable fighters, who knows how those encounters would've gone? It's questionable if her vow would have allowed her to use her titan's strength even in self-defence... but then again, these monsters aren't the ones the Eldians are indebted to.]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Ackerman? Ackerman?! Hijikata's expression betrays his surprise (along with his momentary loss of control over the snowmobile, which makes it swerve for a second before he quickly course-corrects). Are you shitting me?! They really ARE related!]

What are you, his uncle or something?!

[Why is this whole family ending up here?! Granted, it can't be said that the Ackermans aren't amazing assets in the fight against the monsters and the Darkness, but hell if they aren't difficult to deal with!]

[idkillforthat]

[ Kenny would be getting pissed off about the way this guy just keeps asking and asking and asking if that reaction wasn't absolutely fucking hilarious. Looks like it had been the right choice to humor him. Kenny cackles loudly and throws one leg up, resting the ankle on his other knee. ]

Hah, not bad. Took him twenty years to figure that one out.

[ THAT'S BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T FUCKING TELL HIM KENNY!! ]

[mayoninofukucho]

[Oh, that shit-eating grin pisses Hijikata off so much. While he doesn't particularly care to defend that uniform-stealing thug bastard Levi, he needs to channel his aggravation into something!]

Oh yeah?! And why would it take someone twenty years to figure out who their uncle is, I wonder?!

[idkillforthat]

[ A good question! One that Kenny is definitely not answering. He looks just a hint more serious, though the grin is, in fact, still there. ]

Oi oi, calm down will ya? If ya shit yerself I'm gonna hav'ta throw ya overboard.

[idkillforthat]

Naw, it wouldn't suit ya.

[ He says, a little distracted as he skims over the monster-iary. Is he thinking about Frieda being too much of a lady to brawl or is he thinking about the holders of a certain monster being bloody pacifists? Yes. ]

Ha, some of these look pretty big! Maybe I'll help out after all.

[ Dying has certainly not dulled his appreciation for a good fight. The sensation of power surging through his body is certainly a nice feeling, too. He would almost say he's addicted to it, though he hasn't had many chances to go wild lately, aside from the obvious. ]

no worries!

[idkillforthat]

"Attacked?" I only said hi!

[ He even manages to sound hurt. It's very fake and only lasts a moment before he's back to his violently chipper vibe. ]

'Sides, how else would ya learn 'bout the dangers of the world, eh?

[urtitan]

Kenny...

[A tiny smile creeps its way onto her face. That's my Kenny. He'd die of boredom if there were no more thrills to be had in the world. (Again, a feeling that comes with a sense of echo.) This new word will provide Kenny with no shortage of excitement, that much she's sure of.]

The people here will thank you. Please try to remember what was a good way to defeat each monster, will you? That's going to help everyone going forward.

[mayoninofukucho]

[Hijikata stops the snowmobile and takes out his Travel Crystal, feathers thoroughly ruffled.]

You know what? I was fed up driving through this shitty cold, anyway! You can have the snowmobile!

[It's not like he just selected it from the holographic menu for free or anything!]

I'm out!

[He tells the crystal his destination:]

To the summer guild HQ!

[And the crystal works as designed... which, of course, includes transporting along anyone in physical contact with the user.]

[idkillforthat]

[ There's something in the tone of her voice, or perhaps her smile, that stings with ache for a moment. He doesn't fully pick up on it; it's like a sixth sense, something unspoken hanging on the margins. He peers at her for a couple moments, contemplative, but says nothing of it. ]

[ Wouldn't be the first time she'd spoken in his words. ]

...

[ Yeah. Fighting monsters should be a good distraction. He's definitely not memorizing all that text about them, though. But hey, that shouldn't be a problem, as far as he's concerned! ]

It'll be fine! I like a challenge.

[urtitan]

[Having her uncle's memories - not that she'd have seen all of them, not even remotely - isn't unpleasant for Frieda. She feels the emotions informed by those memories as her own, and unlike with those of certain other ancestors, there's no jarring contrast between how she feels in those moments and once they've faded away. With Uri, there's no sense of her mind being hijacked. Maybe, it's because she loved him and he loved her.

Part of her wants to stop Kenny from leaving - both because she ought to ask him about the future, about what it was like when Wall Maria fell, and because she just doesn't want to let him go again so soon -, but another part of her doesn't want to mar this pleasant moment with such grim talk. She already got the gist from Eren, and there'll be time for more later. (There won't be, alas.) So, she just smiles.]

Have fun! But don't overdo it.

[She knows he'll overdo it. He always does. But this time, at least, no people should come to harm!]

[feminae]

[ Annie isn’t a very good liar. It’s lucky, then, that right now she doesn’t need to be. She’s lying, he knows she’s lying, and it’s pretty messed up that she’s comforted by that after years of hiding her identity. ]

The dangers that you exposed me to when you abandoned me. [ She folds her arms, not even trying to sound genuine. ] If you weren’t ready to deal with a kid, then you should have…what’s the saying?

Wrapped it before you tapped it.

[rustyhonesty]

You kind of lost all priviledges to any sort of respect with all the shit your squad made us go through.

[That's a confirmation of it, if anything.]

If you've got nothing else, I'll continue my day.