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seasonsgreetings2024-03-15 12:11 am
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2024-03-15 12:11 am
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Event #7: Knocking on the 4th Wall (Inside the Metaverse)
Knocking on the 4th Wall
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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".
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.
• 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.
Metaverse now
It was eerily quiet. With no natives there, it was truly like a ghost town. He didn't like it one bit.
It looked like someone had made a fire on the beach. Jean's drawn to the smoke, hoping he'll find someone familiar. Someone he could vent with or just hang out so it wouldn't feel so lonely.
Who he finds is not who he expects.
Jean freezes in shock. Due to his emotion-based powers from Empatheias returning (without his knowledge) so the area around him starts freezing slowly as well. But it's not only shock he's feeling; it's also a strange kind of relief? And anger over Ellipsa joking around by first taking Armin away from them to bring Bertholdt. Why couldn't they both exist at the same time?
But the shock is taking dominance. Bertholdt's last moments echoing in his thoughts.
"Bertholdt...?"
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The voice that calls out his name, though, that's a surprise. He looks away from the fire and up at his - former comrade, enemy, Jean. The same Jean who had been trying to kill Reiner and had nearly managed to do so.
Shock crosses his expression despite himself, before it closes off into wariness. He doesn't take his gaze off Jean, but there's a coldness to his eyes. The temperature that had already dropped several degrees drops even further, their breath visible in the air.
"I'm not here to fight you," he elects to say instead, his voice subdued.
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The normally warm beach was now cold, but Jean didn't pay it any mind as he was staring at Bertholdt. The shifter's eyes were colder than the surrounding area. At least it felt like it was.
At least Bertholdt's words are a good way to draw him back from the shock he's feeling, the ice he's making calming down a little, instead changing into a very light (but also very cold) rain around him. Sorrow. Jean doesn't pay attention to the rain as much as he probably should.
"I don't intend to fight you, either. Not anymore." Sure, he still wants to kind of punch Bert for everything, but mostly he was determined to handle things peacefully. He takes a deeper breath.
"Reiner and Annie are here. We have a non-aggression pact."
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After all, Jean might try to kill him - would be in the right to try, if Bertholdt is honest. He's surprised when Jean says he's not here to fight, either.
His face doesn't give anything away. He's been tricked before, by Armin.
"A non-aggression pact with who?" he asks warily.
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Almost a year ago, Jean probably would have been more aggressive and actually attempted something, even if it wouldn't have likely resulted in murder. But things had changed so much, in so many different ways.
Even if his recent quick visit home did bring out the familiar feelings of anger and betrayal to mind. But they were pretty short-lived. Instead, he's haunted by the memories of Bertholdt and Armin, and by the amount of people who died on that day.
"With the Survey Cops who are located here. Me, Mikasa, Eren, Sasha, Levi, Erwin, Hange. It was Reiner's idea, to protect all the Warriors coming in."
Bertholdt has no reason to believe him, Jean knows.
"I'll walk away, if that's what you want."
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He shouldn't be relieved, but he is, the tiniest bit.
It's very like Reiner to try and negotiate, trying to be the good leader. What kind of leverage did he have? Then again, in a place like this - what point is there to fighting? His father is still at home; if Reiner and Annie are here, as selfish as that is, he has almost all the people he needs to keep safe.
Bertholdt is quiet as he considers this before he slowly shakes his head. He still doesn't look friendly, of course, and that probably doesn't come as a surprise.
"I'm not here to fight you," he repeats, finally looking away from Jean and back to the fire that isn't providing any warmth. "And I'm not going to compromise what he's been working on." If it's the truth; but he loses nothing by waiting to find out if it's true.
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If this wasn't just an illusion made by the metaverse, he was glad for Reiner that Bertholdt was finally here. If he was just an illusion, it would just mean more hurt or the guy. In which case, it would just be better if Reiner never saw Bertholdt here.
But if he was actually here and Armin was sent back home, that was just cruel. In a way, it made sense. There couldn't be two Colossal titans running around back home (haha ha--). But there were so many situations they could co-exist in, since time was weird anyway.
He thinks back to why Armin had the Colossal in the first place. Of all the shit they were put through thanks to the Warriors invading Paradis. But that wasn't really their fault. As Galliard and Marco would put it, it was Marley that sent them. So they should get all the blame.
But that didn't mean he forgave them for breaking down Wall Maria. Or for attacking Trost. Or for the battle of Shiganshina. He could move past it, but couldn't forgive or forget. That's what he had been saying.
He especially couldn't forgive them about Marco.
There's actual warm flames around Jean's hand (that has formed into a fist while he traveled deep into his thoughts) for a bit. It's hard to say if it's his seasonal magic or something from Empatheias.
If he punched Reiner about it, he should just punch Bertholdt, too. Annie he hadn't, but that was more because he was afraid of her. He wasn't afraid or Reiner or Bert.
So, instead of saying anything, Jean aims a punch at Bertholdt's face. Much easier now that they were almost the same size. Sure, he just told him about the non-aggression pact, but this wasn't a murder attempt, just a honest, frustrated, punch.
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He hasn't let his guard down around Jean, nor has the flaming fist gone unnoticed. When Jean pulls back to aim a fist at his face, he thinks maybe he should let him get the shot in. There's so many ways they've hurt Jean, more than he might even know. He's had enough of being hurt, though. Maybe he's bitter knowing that Jean fed him to a Titanized Armin, even if there was only ever one way that fight could end.
Jean's faster, though, and he's not as small as Bertholdt remembers. When he ducks his head, he still takes the hit on his shoulder, letting out a little hiss. Marley trained him well, though; he wraps a hand around Jean's wrist and uses his forward momentum to pull him further, yanking him off his feet and knocking him into the sand.
He's quick to follow him down, pressing a knee into the small of his back, still holding onto that wrist.
"That doesn't seem very non-aggressive," he tells Jean. His tone isn't flat, or angry - it's just tired, and sad. "Feel better?"
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Despite the surprise, Jean was more than ready to just get back up and keep going, but he didn't have a chance for that, with his wrist still being held and a knee on his back. Which makes him growl just a little bit in annoyance.
Jean toys with the thought of actually retaliating and trying to counter the situation, maybe with magic Bertholdt wasn't familiar with, but instead he sighs, deflating. He tried and failed. He wasn't really in the mood to try again.
"Your name isn't on it yet. But throwing a punch regular isn't violating the pact", Jean says, trying his best not get sand in his mouth. "At least it's out of my system now."
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Jean's growling doesn't make him want to let him up, but he does release his arm; he doesn't want to hurt Jean, as ironic as that thought is.
"If it's a pact to protect the Warriors, then I assume it's implied," Bertholdt tells him gently. Even after years of closeness, he knows he was never a soldier; he was a Warrior, and a snake in the grass.
He holds his knee on Jean a moment longer before he eases up and steps back. It's not quite his style, more of a Reiner (or Marcel) thing to do, but he offers a hand to pull Jean to his feet.
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He spends a moment getting sand off his clothes - at least the worst of it.
"So, how much do you know about the situation, anyway?"
Since this wasn't really the norm in Ellipsa.
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"I don't know anything," he admits after an extended silence. "I ... arrived here and you're the first person I've encountered."
A non-aggression pact was hard to believe, but Jean didn't try to hurt him first thing so it must be some kind of true.
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"This place is called Ellipsa. Another world. People from different worlds appear here. This isn't even the only place like this; I've been to two others before this one. I haven't been 'home' for years, now." That's why he's almost Bert's height now. Almost. "This place in particular gives us Seasonal powers, based on what season was chosen for us. I'm Summer, so I can control fire along with other things."
He demonstrates by making a ball of fire and levitating it above is palm. It seems to come to him as easy as breathing by now.
"But this place we're in now is a different version of the world we're supposed to be in. It's kind of hard to explain, but it's a copy of it. Nothing here is real. Our actual bodies are probably sleeping back on the real world while our minds are currently trapped in here."
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He thinks, first, of snow-laden peaks filled with cold cadets training. Then he thinks further back, to bitterly cold winters with his father; listening to his coughing get worse and worse and doing what he could to secure anything warm.
There's very little reflected on his face, just a somber expression. He lifts a hand, instead, feeling ice form along his palm.
"Do we know for sure we have bodies to return to?" he asks, meeting Jean's gaze after a moment. The implication is clear; Bertholdt knows that he should not be here, that all that is left is a headless corpse.
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"I hope so. For Reiner's sake. He's a mess without you", he says. Hope isn't what he usually banks on, but in this case he's willing to make an exception. "Do you remember seeing a scenery that seemed really familiar and comfortable before ending up here?"