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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.
Rider | Fate/Stay Night: Heaven's Feel | Winter | In-game
You're in the Metaverse Now
It's Getting Dark, Too Dark to See: Going Gorgon
Wildcard
[ooc: Feel free to wildcard your own prompt, or Disco/PM me if you have other ideas.]
part 2
-- Rider?!
[ #nailedit ]
no subject
But...no, she saw her there, too.]
Sakura-...when- how long have you...?
[There were still monsters nearby. Gorgon quickly moved a hand over to shield her, the sharp, golden claws glinting-
At least she could focus on protecting her Master. Perhaps that way, too, she could distract herself from her thoughts, from any uncomfortable feelings stirring up inside her. Gorgon had missed her terribly and of course, had always hoped she would run into her again in this world... but she also never wanted her to see her like this.]
no subject
[ Her words are as soft and earnest; even if Rider looks different, has changed - she's still the same. That much is something that she trusted from the very beginning. And she will continue to trust into. ]
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But she pushed her own worries to the back of her mind. She barely even had the time to explain what this world was, let alone deal with any memory discrepancies!]
Aside from myself, there are... other monsters out here, in that darkness. The City is safer, if we can make it there, but I will follow what you command.
[And those creatures were certainly not going to give the pair much breathing room, as they moved closer still. In turn, Gorgon moved defensively, ready to shield Sakura as best she could- she was slower in this form, but far more resilient.]
...Stay close. I will not let them past me.
no subject
It's okay; if you want to fight these monsters, Rider...
[ Her eyes gleam brightly; she's no longer the same girl that she was all those years ago. Sure, she may not be a Master here, but that doesn't mean that the bond that she's crafted has changed. ]
I'll stand by your side. I can fight, too.
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[Gorgon had been about to finish that thought- that keeping Sakura safe was more important than anything else. That her own desires had no baring on the matter compared to that.
But she could see the change in her.
Yes, her Master really had grown, hadn't she? And that caught her off-guard.]
...Mm. Like this, perhaps we can both fight at our fullest.
no subject
[ Sakura tries her best to be reassuring; she knows just how important she is to Rider. But the same goes for her--Rider is just as important to her. ]
We'll both do our best.
Going Gorgon - Part 1
Go for it, Medusa. Whatever happens, it'll be alright.
[If she petrifies him again... well, so be it. Hopefully, his real body outside the metaverse will be unaffected. Even so, he'd by lying if he said that he wasn't a little afraid. This simulation isn't like the real world - what if he can still think and feel after being turned to stone?
But he can't let concerns like that hold him back from lending strength to his Servant. It was him who forced her into her Gorgon form, inadvertently or not, so how to better repay her than by helping her to take control of that version of herself?]
no subject
...If you are certain.
I think...I could use the darkness itself for it, but that may be a little too risky. Otherwise, it will be a matter of pushing myself to my limit in battle.
[Charging out into the darkness was reckless, and would put them both in danger. This route was slower, but she would be far more likely to keep control over herself, that way. A Command was another option, but she did not want to resort to that until she had explored her other options.
She took a deep breath. Braced herself for the fight ahead. Tried not to let any trepidation creep it's way into her face- the tightness of her expression probably spoke for itself, to anyone who knew her well.]
no subject
[Maybe it's in part due to their recent expedition that the thought of her entering the Darkness outright terrifies him. He can't forget what it felt like to completely lose himself to grief and anguish, and he doesn't want her to experience it... although, in hindsight, wasn't it all too similar to the emotions he received from her during her Gorgon transformation back in summer? He mentally corrects himself: He doesn't want her to experience it again.
They don't have to wait long for the Darkness to release a new monster, and ironically enough, it looks like a black wyvern, spreading its wings wide to intimidate them. Hijikata feels the adrenaline run through his body. It'll be hard to let Medusa go first, but he's a secondary fighter in this battle, only there to have her back. He keeps himself grounded in place, sword drawn, as the wyvern attacks his Servant first.]
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She wondered, then, if she was being selfish, pushing them both into this-
But before she could think to ask, she heard the fierce beating of a Wyvern's wings. Ironic, that they would find themselves fighting these things again!
Medusa let light shoot through her legs as she bolted forward, leaping up to meet the creature and unleash her chains- aiming for its neck.]
no subject
After some fast maneuvers, Medusa's nail weapons impact with the wyvern's neck, but its hard scales protect it from damage, and it snaps for her, trying to catch her between its teeth. I wonder how long she'll have to hold out to be able to transform... you can do it, Medusa!]
no subject
She swung over its jaws with her chains, letting her monstrous strength bolster her manifestation as she kicked sharply at it's back, trying to send it to the ground.
All the while, her mind was racing. How could she push herself? What would she need to do? And, just as it floated through Hijikata's mind, how long would she need to hold out to make this work?]
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Being a mere supplement to a battle still feels utterly strange to him, but even if he got up close, what could he realistically do? He certainly can't burn it, and if Medusa's weapons can't pierce its armour, then his swords, enhanced as they are, can't either. Maybe one of his bazookas would make a dent in it, but even that is just a "maybe"! No matter. Once Gorgon's here, she's crush it like some vermin.]
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Before she could dwell on that further, she leapt back to shield herself from the sudden heat of it's flames, and raced back in to aim for it's neck- anything she hoped would have a gap in it's scales. Something had to be vulnerable enough for her needles to do their work!]
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While Hijikata's eyes are fixed on the battle, ready to move fast at a moment's notice, he sees another large shadow take form in the nearby Darkness... and then, a second wyvern's head emerges, reptilian eyes narrowing as it sees its peer engaged with what appears to be obnoxiously hard-to-eat prey.]
Medusa!! I'll take that one!
[Ambitious, isn't he? Granted, he is fireproof, and he does have his Aura, but how long will his mana and stamina last? Immediately, the newly arrived wyvern tries to roast him as he rushes at it, and while he withstands the fiery attack unscathed, he's stopped in his tracks by the sheer force of the flames.]
Ugh...
no subject
But instead, the closer proximity had only lured out another Wyvern!
Medusa's body tensed up, the heat of the new creature's attack rushing past her back as it went for Hijikata-
And from her position near the darkness, that ever present pressure on her manifestation and on her mind made her briefly stagger-
She'd rip them apart if they harmed her Master.
Another burst of speed, circling the pair in a wide arc- she had to lure them away from him-]
Frustrating creatures- are you hurt, Master?
[A small hiss of annoyance, as she gave herself permission to express that frustration.]
1/2
[He really is unscathed, testament to how strong he's become since their last wyvern encounter. He has every intention to retaliate, so he runs at the draconic beast - dodging a swish of its tail - while summoning up a handful of flaming swords and sending them at the creature's face, hoping to distract it so he can get in close and cut its stomach with his enhanced real sword. They only need one for what they're trying to do! (Or so he thinks, at least.)
The wyvern last struck by Medusa, meanwhile, is feeling an impact from her attack, even though it didn't hit its vulnerable underside: The scale that she struck with her weapon has cracked. Despite the damage being so minor, it screeches angrily, spreading its wings wide in intimidation as it closes in on her once more.]
2/2
Before he can make the damage worse with a sideways motion, the wyvern screeches and flings him away. Sure enough, he goes flying off into the distance... and he's not even wearing his Floating Cape!]
no subject
Brace, kick hard up at the Wyvern above her, turn her body, monstrous strength through her legs- a burning heat- move, move- faster-!
Kicking off the ground, she bolted back to try and catch her Master in her arms, as she had the last time they'd encountered this.
It angered her.
Her Master was getting hurt in all of this. For her sake. He was getting injured for her sake. Yes, she could taste that blood in the air as she ran- and those creatures were still stubbornly at her back. Their screeches and scratching claws and beating wings.
Faster- a extra pulse of mana flow through her, increasing her speed.
She was stronger than them. And she wanted to make sure that it would be their blood she tasted in the air next.
A visceral hiss their way as she positioned herself for the catch, ripples of light and power running through her body...!]
no subject
When Medusa catches him, the impact is considerable, so it's fortunate that she braced her body for it. He immediately wraps his arms around her neck, somehow having managed to sheathe his sword in mid-air. A glance behind her tells him everything he needs to know.]
They're coming. Set me down!
[He isn't feeling so fresh, but it's not like he's debilitatingly hurt!]
1/2
Hold onto this-
[Her voice was strained- even as she slipped the blindfold off and held it behind her for him to take, cursed eyes unleashing their sickening gleam on the barren landscape- all the while, the red mist's claws were sinking their grip into the back of her mind.
Her daggers and their chains had vanished, but a glint of gold gleamed in claw-like fingernails.]
2/2
I will-...rip them apart, if they try that again-...!
[Her petrification power might slow them, but the darkness would prevent them from turning to stone. With two Wyverns angered and charging right for her, she let her monstrous strength flood her body.
And with it, a first pulse of mana-
Let go. I just need to let go.
Perhaps that thought would filter through their mental connection as she braced for the onslaught. She had to let herself fall. Let go of any trepidation. Let go- and trust that her Master would stop her mind collapsing in the process.]
no subject
He can sense her trepidation at what she's about to do, and he feels much the same, remembering how painful it was for her the last time, both physically and mentally. Still, it's his job as her Master to encourage her. If they can pull this off, it'll be a huge advantage in the battles to come - and, more importantly, it'll give Medusa peace.
"It's alright. I've got your back."
He needs to pull this off, no matter how much it might drain him and mess with his own mind. If he lets her down here... he shakes the thought off. I won't let her down.]
1/2
2/2 tw painful transformations, trauma
(no subject)