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

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!4th wall

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

Knocking on the 4th Wall
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ It's been a while since Macaque was thrown into this simulation. A week? Longer? He can't really tell. He'd beaten some darkness, done some questionable processing, fretted about being stuck in here much like everyone just was in his heart game, had more than a few unhelpful nightmares. ]

[ His head is full of further unhelpful thoughts when he turns a corner in the city and practically runs into MK. Macaque blinks like he's surprised, because he honestly didn't intend for that to happen. He was too distracted to notice the approach of a familiar heartbeat. ]

--MK, there you are.

MK hadn't been paying attention either. Which wasn't out of the norm. His experiments had been rather successful? Kinda. He had more on his mind. He was trying to think through some things. His monkey form. What he would say to Macaque when they spoke to each other, finally. What was happening with this simulation. People could feel pain. People were here who shouldn't be. What was happening?

Then BAM! Well more like close bam, stumble, flail, regain his balance.

"Oh! Macaque. I didn't think you volunteered. Changed your mind? Shouldn't you be resting?"

I didn't volunteer. Apparently they started plucking people out of nowhere through screens. But I got a few days of rest beforehand, though for my head to mostly clear.

[ He was a bit of a mess right afterwards. Not much to be done about it. Better him than anyone else. ]

How are you? I feel like you took off pretty much right away and by the time I could think straight enough to look for you, you'd volunteered for this.

[ Which isn't blame it's just. He noticed. He worried. ]

"Oh. That's not good," MK said. People were getting dragged in. Definitely not good. He blinked. He knew there was no blame. There was just concern.

"I..." Be honest, MK. Be honest. "I know you needed grounding. I stayed for the cuddles. I figured after you started...not really being here. In your head, you know. Dissociating? Yeah. That's the word. Maybe it would be better if Donnie, Korone, or Red Son helped. You guys all had a lot of talk about. And I needed time to think. So I volunteered for this. Figured it'd give me time."

[ Macaque can hear and appreciate the honesty. He flashes an apologetic smile. ] Sorry about that. At least you knew it was more or less normal thanks to Red...

[ Still not necessarily comforting, he knows. ]

I have a lot to talk to you about, too. But if you're not ready, it'll keep. [ He's more or less done with forcing issues. Once they do talk he has no intention of putting things on MK anymore, but MK has to be ready to talk first. That's the least of what he's owed. ]

Edited 2024-03-16 01:26 (UTC)

MK was silent for a moment. He ran a hand through his hair. Was he ready? He'd thought about the same stuff over and over being in here. He didn't know if he could think of anything else really. Anything new. Macaque was here now. He wouldn't chalk it up to Fate or Destiny but there wasn't the spike of panic like before. He nodded.

"I want to. Talk. Now. Let's go find somewhere we can sit down. I think we both probably should. Come on." MK would start walking. There was a bench in a small part not even two blocks away. They could sit and talk. No monsters in sight. No real people around either.

"This works," MK said as he sat down and patted the spot next to him.

[ "I think we both probably should" is just about the most ominous shit he's ever heard, but Macaque resolved not to run from this. Whatever MK wants to throw at him, he'll take. He sits down beside MK. ]

I can go first if you want me to. If you'd rather, that's fine. [ Maybe his willingness to not make MK start was somehow helpful? He's not great at this, but he's not running. And besides, what he wants to say is what he wants to say. ]

Edited 2024-03-16 01:38 (UTC)

"I'm not great at starting this stuff but I know it's hard. Maybe we can...both start?" MK asked. He didn't want this to be hard or awkward. Sure, it already was. And ominous. But they needed this. They both really did.

"We know we're gonna talk about us. Our relationship. And all the stuff from the surgery and before. Whatever happens, whatever we say, we both want to understand each other better. And be understood. Right? We can start together knowing that?"

Of course. I want us to understand each other. And if it takes work, well. I'm willing to do that.

[ He pauses. And then decides that this might be easier on MK if he just comes out with a few things. Not everything by any means, but the important bits. ]

...I don't know what you saw in there, things are still pretty fuzzy. Sorry if I repeat what you know already.

The first memory I have is the other monkeys throwing me out of their nest. Then I spent a lot of years learning magic and glamours and then using those powers to hurt others. And then I met Wukong--

He was always away. The rest of our brothers only tolerated my presence because of Wukong's influence.

Then our fight under the mountain, then I was an idiot and died, came back and was an idiot some more. Falling back into that anger because it was what I knew.

--I met you. And you changed everything again.

I know I kept saying that things were complicated, but this is the last time I'm using that word with you. It's not complicated at all: I was afraid of letting you in because I was afraid of being rejected again, so I hid behind that word. I made excuses about my feelings for Wukong. Anything I could cling to that would keep me from risking being hurt again. [ The same fear that led to his brain surgery. ]

I'm done with hiding. I can understand if you need or want boundaries, and I'll accept and respect them. But for my own part, I don't want or need them. At all.

I called you my North Star for a reason. It's a fixed point, a constant, one that the night sky seems to rotate around, and has been used since time began to navigate the world. The sun and moon rise and fall but the North Star is always there, day or night. And I almost messed that up, or maybe I did, because I was afraid.

From being an idiot, I learned that I need you more than I need to cling to my fear. I've got a lot to make up to you, MK. I can only hope that you'll let me try.

That was a lot. The other monkeys rejecting Macaque was terrible. It was awful. Then he became angry and hid who he was. He felt the pain of that resentment. The pain and anger and it was targeted at him. MK didn't interrupt. Then he met Monkey King and things were good but not perfect. The other Brothers didn't accept him either.

Then things got worse.

MK felt his heart clench. He swallowed. He let Macaque finish and remembered the burning of the mountain, the maze and those feelings, and that bar. He looked down at his hands for a moment before he turned his eyes to Macaque.

"Your memories kinda shattered those boundaries I was trying to build. I thought I should build them because it was...better for us both. I thought I kept messing things up. That I pushed you too fast. Into fooling around before you were ready. Pushed for you to open up too fast. I know I was pushing. I was saying I wouldn't but I think I did."

MK took in a slow breath. "I know that you need Donnie and Korone and they need you. I need you too. I am so sorry I made you feel like I was rejecting you. I'm sorry I did and I pushed you away. I am so sorry. I don't want you to be behind a wall or a door. I was so terrified I was losing you...I realized something about myself."

Another pause as MK gathered his thoughts.

"I never ever thought about where I came from. I never questioned that Pigsy wasn't my dad. He tried to tell me but I never listened. Ever. I just...I didn't question it. And then I learned I was made from Monkey King's stone. I don't know who or why and I can't unknow that. I started to think about those things and the curse made me realize I can't go back. Ever. I said I just wanted to be MK. To be a noodle delivery boy but I can't go back to just being that. I realized I'm empty. Whoever made me didn't include anything else. I was just made to be the Monkie Kid. No name, no family, nothing else. And I've been clinging to everyone around me, everyone who seemed to care even a little because I need them. I need you. Without all of you...I don't know who I am. Who I'd be. I panicked and I lashed out and I'm sorry I didn't believe you. I didn't trust you. I'm not going to make that mistake again. I want to fix this too. I want to work on it and for us to not hurt each other again. I want the Six Eared Macaque to be in my life because I care about you. I love you too. I know that now. And I want to be your North Star."

[ Macaque reaches over and tries to take MK's hand while he's speaking. No argument about how MK feels about himself, however strongly Macaque disagrees about MK being empty. MK is the opposite of empty, to him. But how MK feels about himself isn't anyone's to argue with. ]

You didn't push me away, kiddo. You were only trying to be honest, and I stopped listening because of my own bullshit. That wasn't fair. I'll try my best not to do that anymore.

You are my North Star. And that won't change, no matter what. You could push and push and never stop and it would still be true. Because I do love you, MK. I guess you heard that in there... I was hoping it would make it through.

MK let Macaque take his head. His fingers slowly squeezed back. He kept his eye on the shadow monkey's. He smiled softly. He promised himself he would accept what Macaque said. If he didn't feel pushed away, that was good. He squeezed the hand again.

"It came through loud and clear," MK said softly. "It was one of the first memories I found. It was waiting for me. Along with all the others." MK moved closer to Macaque. Shoulder to shoulder.

"I'm not going to push you away. I'm not going to push. Can't help it if I pull though. That's what stars do, right?" He chuckled softly. The tension easing a little bit. Not having Macaque fight or argue how he felt helped. Being able to just say it helped.

"I know this won't sound like happy but...I understand why you were afraid. Why you might still be afraid. I am too. Of messing it up. Of...losing people. Of messing things up with them. The thing I know is, I'm not about to let you get away. Not now and probably not ever. I get it. I feel the same way. So at least we both know we understand that part. And we can make sure the keep remind each other that we're not going anywhere. At this point, there probably isn't anything either of us could to do chase off or scare the other away."

[ Macaque looks at MK for a moment, then he drops all his glamours. His six ears and his blind eye prominent as he thinks through what he wants to say. ]

I won't be trying to get away.

I spent so many hours meditating, trying to decide how I wanted to protect everyone. I could think through giving the kids things that would keep them out of danger, that was easy. But what I wanted to do with you was probably not possible, and that's protect your heart. Or soothe it, I guess.

MK watched the glamours fall. He smiled a little more. That had to be hard for Macaque but MK was happy to see it. To see him. Though the smile faded a little.

"My heart...isn't easy for anyone to protect," MK admitted, "But you really did help. The candies, the good memories, and Doodleque. You even damaged your soul to come help me. I was breaking down and you did it to find me. To stop me from spiraling. You were right about the monkey form. In the end. I was able to protect Red Son with it but I almost did more damage. I lost myself again. But you came down to find me. To help me find myself again. You did more than enough to help me. You were amazing and I am so proud of you."

MK squeezed the hand again.

"It doesn't help that she's still in my head. I know she's gone but she's still all up in there. The ink curse didn't help either. Like at all."

Doodle-- [ He thinks for a second. ] The drawing you brought back?

Totally worth a little soul damage if it helped you. I can't remember things very clearly, as I said, but that's a little easier. I remember getting the sense that you needed me, and then it happened before I even really could form a thought.

[ Macaque's free arm slides around MK's shoulders to try to pull him closer. ]

What can I do now? To help you feel more like you're on solid ground.

MK slid closer and snuggled against Macaque. Doodleque was going to live in his art room at the house and be able to enjoy all the art he could ever want. MK planned to even draw him his own fun doodle mansion. He had plans. MK looked up at Macaque at the question.

"I did need you. I do," MK smiled again. He leaned in and nuzzled noses with Macaque. "You're definitely helping right now. This is really nice. Just this. Just us. And you? What can I do to help you feel more grounded too?"

[ Those plans are all excellent and Doodleque will be most pleased and happy. ]

[ Macaque chuckles in a low way that rumbles through his nose when MK gives him that nuzzle. ]

Grounding, hm? [ Don't mind his flirting, that world has Implications after heart games. ] How forward.

MK didn't mind at all. He knew what he was saying. Macaque did give him that ten out of ten score card for a reason.

"Did you expect me to be anything else?" He asked with his own little attempt at a purr. "I mean, grounding is usually good for both sides. And I did make sure you grounded Red Son when you offered. But it's just us. Right now."

Just them but...shit. He was going fast again. Too fast. He needed...they needed to talk first. He suddenly hugged Macaque and buried his face in the other monkey's shoulder. He needed a moment to think. Hug to delay it and think.

Edited 2024-03-16 03:54 (UTC)

I never know quite what to expect from you, I admit. [ But he doesn't sound disappointed. The opposite, in fact. ]

Just us, indeed. [ Macaque keeps nuzzling MK with his nose. ] My portals are working again, so--

[ And then MK suddenly hugged him. ] Uh... did I say something wrong?

Edited 2024-03-16 03:57 (UTC)

"No. You didn't say anything wrong." MK was quick to say. He loved those nose nuzzles. The promise of what was to come. What he wanted. Oh he wanted it bad too. But...was it fair? Was it right to not tell him? Something inside MK screamed it wasn't. That they promised to be honest. To open up. Going with Macaque now and not telling him felt wrong. Like it was keeping something secret that shouldn't be.

But Macaque said he wasn't going to tie him and Monkey King together anymore. Would this just be MK forcing that? Oh MK didn't know. Still, he knew what he felt in his gut. This wasn't ideal or what they planned but Macaque deserved to know.

"Before we go anywhere. I have to tell you something," MK pulled away from the hug. "Because it isn't right if I don't. I don't feel like it's right if I don't. ...Wukong and I wanted to tell you together when we could. I thought after all this but here we are. So...I started dating Wukong too. On Valentine's Day. Officially."

[ Macaque pauses when MK drops that little bombshell. Not freezes, but he does pause. ]

[ Mainly he's doing calculations. Valentine's was after his brain had been rewired, and after he and MK had that fight, so he supposed it was only fair that they didn't tell him sooner. ]

[ And anyway, after everything that happened he's not bothered. Surprised sure, but not bothered. ]

Okay. Thank you for telling me.

[ He hasn't pulled back an inch, and he doesn't do so now. ] Was that all?

That response was surprising. It was a good surprising. A little nervous making since he was sure there would be a bad reaction. Was Macaque still not feeling things about Monkey King or was this just something else? Something more...more? He blinked once.

"Yeah. That was what I wanted to tell you. It felt like the right thing. So if you didn't wanna...teleport us somewhere private, I'd understand. But it doesn't feel like that's the uh case?" MK stared into those eyes, one pale and the other dark. Both on him and their noses skill close and barely touching.

"Pretty sure this place has a copy of my room. Or...we could go to the copy of your room. If you still wanna ground each other."

[ Macaque's smile is back like it never left, flirtatious but also understanding. He's fine with it. If he can share Red, he can share Wukong (assuming things with him and Wukong go where they sort of discussed before the heart game... Macaque didn't have working feelings then so it was hard to tell and for once he's not over thinking things). ]

[ He leans forward and gives MK a hard, but fairly uninvolved kiss. Only because he's waiting to swing for the fences until they're not in the park. ] I still want to if you do.

MK returned the kiss. His arms kept wrapped around Macaque and he pressed closer. He nodded as soon as Macaque finished that sentence.

"I do," His answer had no hesitation. He knew where this was going and he wanted to keep going. The walls were down for them both. Things weren't going to be complicated anymore. He told the truth and Macaque said he was fine.

This was a home run.

((OOC: Moving this here))

Edited 2024-03-16 04:46 (UTC)

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

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