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]

Tch. Ain't no worse monsters than the ones in cities.

[ He's been on first name basis with plenty of them. Yes, he is in fact talking about people. He does slowly lower his guns in a moment, however, when nothing else is suddenly appearing near him. ]

What stinkin' "menu"?

[ But he does attempt to mimic that hand motion. It's not very successful. ]

[idkillforthat]

[ What? It's, like, one of them sweet things that girls love to be called, right? ]

Heh. Yer pretty bold for a lil' shrimp. [ Why is it always the short ones with the biggest atitudes... ] Why dontcha do pops a favor 'n' stop talkin' for a while, eh?

[offeredhearts]

[ It's funny. The more time he spends with Kenny, the more time Erwin has to notice the similarities. The unreadable gaze is one he's been on the receiving end so many times, especially in the beginning. The same, scrutinizing stare, the same stormy gray eyes. Erwin can see the wheels turning in the man's mind, but he could only guess as to what his thoughts are. There's other little things, too. The cadence of his speech he's already noted, but the posture and gestures as well - it's not an exact copy, of course, but it's clear that Kenny is the origin of so many things that seem habitual in Levi as well.

Erwin smiles, not afraid to let his fondness show, but there's also something more secretive about it as well. It's an obvious fish, but Erwin doesn't mind giving him a little bite. ]

You might say that, yes. I've come to rely on him a great deal.

[idkillforthat]

[ Even the way he sort of lounges in his seat with an air of casual intimidation is probably quite familiar, if not entirely the same. Truly a chip off the old block in some ways. ]

[ Rely on him, huh... He's heard similar words before. His eyes narrow slightly, searching. Could it be?.. ]

Ha. How'd the runt end up with yer lot, anyways?

[offeredhearts]

[ Truly.

Erwin's smile widens a little. ]

I captured him and two others from the underground and gave them a choice: joining the Survey Corps or going into custody of the Military Police.

[ It hadn't been any choice at all, of course, and entirely possible that Erwin had no intentions of actually giving them over and letting those skills go to waste, no matter what he'd said. ]

[idkillforthat]

[ Kenny levels him with a stare. ]

Bullshit.

[ He can't imagine Levi going down to anyone but himself after he'd found his hidden strength. There has to be more to that story. ]

[offeredhearts]

[ Erwin's easiness doesn't fade, but the smile falls into an expression more neutral. ]

It's true.

[ It's not a boast or a scoff, just a simple affirmation. ]

Of course, I hardly did it single-handedly. My officer and I cornered him, while others captured his friends, which is what ultimately made him surrender.

[ Erwin is under no illusions that he would have eventually lost that contest of strength. He can still remember the intense ferocity of those eyes, so beautiful and deadly up close, the feeling of tendons moving beneath his palm as Levi dropped his knife, releasing his fingers one by one. The encounter had visited him in his dreams for many nights ever since. ]

They were all already very skilled with the gear by the time we found them. The MPs would never have had any chance.

[idkillforthat]

[ Kenny scoffs. ]

Tch. The brat's always been too soft.

[ It wasn't a bad thing in theory. He was glad he could preserve something he's clearly gotten from Kuchel like that. But in the Underground, it was a liability. He'd thought he taught him that. ]

'Course they wouldn't've.

[ Is that a hint of pride in his tone? Maybe. ]

Bet he saw ya for the meal ticket ya were and went easy on ya anyways.

[offeredhearts]

On the contrary, he's precisely how he needs to be.

[ Of course, it had always been Levi's plan to be caught. Erwin smiles a little again. ]

In a manner of speaking.

A noble had tried to recruit him to assassinate me. Convenient, because as you said, pinning him down on our own would have been exceedingly difficult, if not outright impossible.

Fortunately, I was able to take care of the noble and convince Levi to lend me his strength.

[idkillforthat]

[ Gray eyes narrow slightly. They're less expressive than Levi's by far, but it's still possible to catch hints of his real thoughts here and there. ]

[ This story is much more believable, but he's picking up on something else now, that ease with which this man seems to be praising the brat. Precisely how he needs to be, huh? Lend his strength, eh? ]

[ He snaps his fingers and whistles lowly. ]

Well I'll be damned. Lil shit's into ya, that it? 'S that why he's so small?

[ THOSE TWO THINGS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EACH OTHER-- ]

[offeredhearts]

[ It's not that surprising that Kenny would pick up on such a thing, but it's clear that his comment catches Erwin a little off guard. ]

I'm afraid I don't follow.

[idkillforthat]

[ For a moment, he debates making a vulgar hand gesture, but decides against it. He really doesn't want to know what they get up to, that's his little sister's kid. ]

You got him 'cause he let ya, is all I'm sayin'.

[offeredhearts]

[ Alas, he won't be getting Kenny having to work out how to explain Erwin's stature if he thinks being into men has something to do with Levi's height.

But a smile returns, and it's a little softer around the edges. It's true. In so many ways, it's true. ]

Yes, I believe you're right.

[idkillforthat]

[ Clearly it's because he's not only into men. Makes perfect sense. ]

[ Kenny huffs as if to say told ya, but doesn't. Instead, there's a few moments of silence. He's... not entirely sure how he feels about this. He did have help, it seems, but technically, Levi did make it out himself. Maybe it counts.]

He woulda made it out without your meddling, too, y'know. I taught him well. [ He says a bit coldly, as if Erwin had somehow ruined whatever project for Levi Kenny had in mind. In a moment, though, his gaze grows just a hint less sharp. ] Probably wouldn't have been a hero then, though. So... S'ppose Kuchel would thank ya.

[ He might be, too, not that he'll admit it. Again. But he's certainly quite sure his sister would be happy that Levi got out of the Underground and not through becoming an unstoppable murderer like Kenny may have been shaping him into without even really trying. Really, she'd be proud of the little runt now. Acting unwise for some dick or not. ]

[urtitan]

[Even though Frieda won't be able to find Kenny anywhere once this experiment ends, getting to see him and spend time with him will remain meaningful to her. Witnessing his excitement over his new-found powers and even hearing his potty-mouthed remarks has been worth being sucked into this simulation for!

And while even she doesn't fully understand the mysteries of the Paths and how all Eldians are connected there, maybe Uri, albeit unseen by them, will have been able to partake in this reunion too.]

[mayoninofukucho]

The item menu. You open it like this. Like this!

[He demonstrates it again, and if Kenny still struggles (which would be more than understandable, given that he got here fresh from the Walls), he'll simply select a Travel Crystal from his own holographic menu and hand it to him as it materialises in 3D space.]

Here. With this, you can get to any location that has a permanent teleport crystal installed - the four guild headquarters here in the city, the airship station in each Segment, and a couple more I can't remember right now since I've never teleported there. We can check on the map.

[And with that, he promptly pulls up a holographic map on one of the guild HQ's terminals. These, at least, exist in the real world as well, so perhaps they'll be at least a little more intuitive to use for Kenny. A little. Maybe.]

[offeredhearts]

[ No it doesn't, sir- ]

[ That coldness meets a similarly icy gaze. ]

It's true; if you hadn't left him there, I might never have found him in the first place.

[ Erwin isn't interested in arguing what-if scenarios; they're only an exercise in frustration and utility. But from an outsider's perspective, the easiest way Kenny could have ensured Levi escaped the Underground was to get him out himself. ]

In any case, I'll be sure to tell him you think his mother would be proud.

[idkillforthat]

[ Look at the sheer audacity of this man, trying to hold staring contests with the Ackermans and somehow holding his own. Two can play the non-blinking game. ]

If I hadn't, he would've been someone else.

[ He knows it's not technically a good reason to leave a twelve year old to fend for himself, but what he'd told Levi was true; he wasn't going to be anyone's dad. If he'd lingered, he might have just molded the kid after himself, whether intentionally or not. His survival rates probably would have been better, though. But maybe he just wanted to see if Levi could still make it if he retained as much of Kuchel as he did. If he didn't, well, too bad. He wasn't going to shed tears for weaklings. But if he did... ]

[ Well, he wasn't exactly lying to Reeves when he called the runt his pride and joy either. ]

Oi oi, that ain't what I said.

[ It's totally what he probably meant, though. Not that he can really claim what she would think, but honestly? It's hard to imagine her not being proud of the child she wanted enough to die for, regardless of where his life took him. ]

[notdaddy]

Mm...yeah, me too.

[ He can keep an eye on Tristan this way. Make sure he doesn't get into trouble or, you know. eat dirt.

Someone's got to look out for this little weirdo.

Luciel takes a few more bites, then offers the rest to Tristan with a nod. ]

You wanna finish this?

[ put some meat on those bones pls!! ]

[datingsimp]

[Dirt is full of nutrients!!!

The demon stops with his attempt to make out with Luciel’s arm and looks up in surprise.]

Did you get enough vitamins and sustenance from it?

[mysophobic]

Well-well yes and no? Usually, it's just a few people at a time during any given month. Large surges like this rarely happen, at least, since I've been here. [ Shigeru will frown and tap his chin with a gloved hand. ]

The concept of teleporting isn't too strange, lots of books back home have it as like super powers and magic you know?! So-so the fact that it is possible is amazing, right?!

[happydreamed]

You certainly do an excellent job at that.

[notdaddy]

[ NOT FOR PEOPLE IT ISN'T. Tristan is not an earth worm!! ]

Yeah, go for it. You probably need it more than me anyway with how you were hoovering it before.

[ Has this kid ever eaten a proper meal that wasn't sex in his whole life?? The world may never know. ]

[notdaddy]

"Usually"...

[ As if this is routine somehow. Luciel doesn't know how it could be possible to blink any harder than he does in this moment as he stares at Shigeru. Part of him wonders if this is some sort of...trick? But he can't understand why something as powerful as Shigeru looks would. Heck, if anything was capable of something like that, it'd probably be him. ]

Well, that's one word... Back where I come from, books with those sorts of things tend to be for kids.

[datingsimp]

[would Luciel love him if he was a worm]

It’s made with your love! I will eat all of it so I may love you back later!

[Tristan doesn’t need any more convincing than that. He scarfs the rest down, looking delighted.]

This is my favorite food. …Besides sex.