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

Entry tags:

!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

Whether Macaque is a "good person" or not is debatable. What isn't is that he wouldn't do anything to hurt Cole on purpose. So he'll keep his tongue behind his teeth about whatever that just was. (The bracelet is there under his sleeve, same as always, hidden so its magic isn't perceptible. Macaque shoots Cole a little smile, wordlessly telling him that it's fine even if he's not sure that's entirely true.)

"It's the only name I have, but I usually go by just Macaque." For reasons of That Damn Book that he will also definitely not be getting into.

He chuckles at that little story. "What can I say, I'm protective."

Tobias's smile changed a little at the word boyfriend. It was still happy but mixed with something a little not sad but realization. An acceptance of something he had said may happen and it did. His own friendship bracelet was visible on his hand. The mundane fabric was worn with age and time. The silver strand that screamed of its valuableness still shining and clearly visible.

"I'm glad you've made more than friends, Cole. I am glad you found other people to help you be happy." He nodded to Macaque.

"And protective ones too. Trouble does seem to like to find you, Cole. Find all of us. In one way or another. A pause as Tobias tried to think of what to say or ask next. The awkwardness of possibly normal conversation.

"So Cole. What was the last thing you remember from back home?" Might as well ask. Make sure he knew what kind of questions Cole might end up having.

Cole noticed the change in the smile, but that was a conversation for when it was just them. "Trouble thankfully hasn't found me much here overall. Except this." He gestured to a glitch in the distance. "I'm still grateful for my friends though." Looking at you, Macaque.

When normal conversation isn't the specialty of at least two of three people. He didn't have to think about the answer too hard at all. "She put me and Xeo into a couple of sleep pods after we finished our visit to you," he said. "I went back and came back like this, but I don't remember anything else. If I talked in my sleep, I could probably say Macaque knows more than me...but my luck doesn't work out that way." It's almost a joke, almost.

Macaque catches the shift in Tobias's smile, but then Cole gestures to the glitch and Macaque glances that way out of pure reflex, and--

He slams his hand over the back of his neck like someone just tried to get at him through there, flinching hard. It's the first time he's looked anything less than perfectly composed.

Just carry on without Macaque for a second he's having an unreality moment.

Tobias looked at the glitch and then Macaque. He frowned at both. He hoped the monkey was alright. The glitch reminded him of home. Oh. Cole didn't know anything about home then. All the changes. The sky and the other things. He hesitated for a moment, giving Macaque time to recover before Tobias found the words to say.

"Then we definitely have a lot to catch up on. A...a lot of things have changed. Like a lot. Not just me."

Cole reached out and gently took Macaque's wrist, trying to offer some grounding. He was still recovering, which was probably subconsciously the other reason Cole asked him to stay. But his eyes were on Tobias.

"I saw a few glimpses while everything was happening in Indiana, and again a couple of months later," he admitted, looking down at his shoes. "The sky, the train...you. I think that's a conversation not for a bench though." He wasn't sure he wanted to know, but he probably should. For now though... "I'd rather know about you and your new friend first." He glanced meaningfully at Steal Hoof as he spoke.

"We could walk toward the apartments, maybe find an open one."

Macaque doesn't react in any way when Cole takes his wrist, he is focused on breathing through the unreality flashbacks. He does think to himself that he should look for one of those marks on Tobias in a minute because Cole might be under the impression that he's staying with that apartment talk, and that would be a terrible expectation to set.

Successfully fighting the urge to run off and have his breakdown in private (it's not a dramatic display, just a flinch, but Macaque is used to being able to hide these things), Macaque goes with whatever Cole wants for the moment. Trying to think about the grounding touch and not the very not-grounding glitches.

Tobias nodded and tried to not think about Indiana. Best to avoid that entire conversation. Especially-no. No. Focus on Cole. Tobias nodded and chuckled. Talking about him? He could do that. Tobias stood up and nodded.

"Sounds like a good idea. Sure. Let's see. This is Steal Hoof. I ended up getting him as a gift from the Curator. He's a good horse. The furnace in his gut keeps him moving. Back home he usually looks like a motor cycle. Or he did. Back when Masks were a thing. My outfit came with him. They're a set. The Outlaw, kind of a fun thing. I ended up getting it after Jackson donated it to the museum. Well, traded it but we called them donations. Came with the Ironsides Guns. Which was fitting considering," He waved his iron covered arm.

"Uh lost my arm. Got a new one. The Curator made the prosthetic out of giant building blocks. Fae humor. Then Iron gifted me the plates and a favor. Which was the least they could do. Um. It's been forever since I've had anything like a burger. Been craving one for like fifty years at this point. But knowing you, I'd love to have a fried PB&J and hot cocoa. Haven't had one of those in over two hundred years."

Cole listened as they started to walk, genuinely interested. His hand stayed where it was though, silently insisting Macaque come with them and stay close. Unfortunately, he'd appeared pretty far out into the Segments, and wasn't fully aware of the situation as a whole, at least not past obviously being in the simulation.

"Masks just aren't a thing anymore?" That was the thing that stuck out the most to him, because it definitely explained his lack of a Mask here. "Wait...don't answer that yet. Or about your arm...or how you got Iron's favor..." Those were all huge things that he needed to be sitting for. He could feel it. It was overall a. Lot. "...finding a store to pick up things to cook with shouldn't be hard. And...there's a saying that fits what you just said about most of that...but it's also a terrible joke so I won't say it."

Without speaking, Macaque makes some shadow portals and starts pulling things out of them. First, a burger, freshly cooked and plated. He slides it onto whatever flat surface is closest and proceeds to bring out ingredients and equipment for fried PB&Js and the cocoa that Cole likes best and some mugs. He does all this without taking his wrist back from Cole.

"That help?" Macaque is no use with stuff from their world, but he can at least provide these comforts.

He's going to have to ask about whether Tobias has the mark of a visitor, since he'd have no way to know what's old and what's new. But it can wait a moment.

"We can wait until we're in somewhere in doors," Which was easy enough for them to find. Into the apartment they went and Macaque kindly provided everything that was needed. Tobias happily took a bite of the burger and hummed happily. Oh that was good. He put it back down and sat with the others. They could relax. He removed the hat and poncho of his outfit and hung them up on a chair.

That did reveal the glowing mark on his right forearm he received when he first arrived.

"So what do we wanna hash out first? And thanks to Macaque, we can get started making the sandwiches now since I think you're gonna need those."

"I guess there's a lot to work through."

Cole gave it some thought, then he had a...not better idea, but a hopefully good one for while it was the three of them. Luckily one of the counters had mugs, so he started on cocoa. "Before we get into anything too heavy, we should get to know each other more."

Consider it a grounding exercise before he let Macaque escape. But also feeling out how they might get along. For home reasons.

--Shit, that mark. Macaque eyes it subtly. "Is the glowing mark new, or something you found in the back of your closet?" Aka please say it's just a very old and normal glowing mark from whatever zany shit or another.

Macaque starts washing the mugs and plates he portaled in while he waits for his answer. Silently hoping it's a different answer than he knows it is.

"That's a good idea, Cole," Tobias started to get the sandwiches started since the others were taking care of dishes and the hot chocolate.

"It's new. It appeared on me when I arrived here. Wherever here is," Tobias touched the mark and traced it with his finger.

"It isn't too bad. Do you both have one?"

"I still have them sometimes."

Attention drawn to the mark, Cole frowned. He didn't have any idea what the mark was for, but Macaque asking implied that he did. It was concerning. "I don't have one, no. What is it?" he asked, looking directly at Macaque for the answer.

Macaque lets out a slow breath, fighting the urge to curse.

"Anyone with that mark is only part of the simulation, brought here by the glitches." Blowing past his discomfort with the word, this is important. "It means that, as of now, they're not going to be a resident of Ellipsa."

His tone is quiet. He's clearly not happy about breaking this news. Cole, of anyone, deserves to be happy, and getting this but it being temporary is both a kindness and such a cruelty.

He doesn't add more, thinking of Azure.

Tobias looked back at the mark as it was explained. So something brought him here and he would only be here as long as this simulation continued. All temporary. He nodded. It was sad to know but at least it wouldn't sneak up on them.

"So how long will I be here?" He asked out loud. Best to know ahead of time. Tobias preferred it if they had a plan.

The news was definitely a gut punch, and Cole simply went quiet, sitting at the table and waiting to see if there was an answer for that. He definitely needed that sandwich now. Knowing that time was short hasn't ever made things any easier for him, just stressful in the opposite way.

But he was going to try and make the most of it no matter what.

Macaque watches them, wishing he could have told them anything else.

"I don't know. Until the simulation ends. Usually these things last between a week and two weeks, perhaps slightly more. I doubt it will last into April."

There's a short pause. Macaque approaches Cole, though no attempt is made to touch him. He just stands there, silent and supportive. "I'm sorry."

Tobias frowned. So perhaps a week. Maybe two if they were lucky. It wasn't long at all. Not anywhere near long enough. But it was better than never. It was better than nothing.

"Then we'll have to make the most of the time. No matter how long it is," Tobias said with a determined nod.

"At least, a small silver lining, you remember me this time when we have the countdown."

"It'll be fine."

There has never been less conviction on anything out of Cole's mouth in the time you've known him, Macaque. On the positive side, Tobias has heard less conviction from Cole a few times...so it could be worse. He just really needed that sandwich now.

"You're not wrong...not remembering and being ready to escape first chance wouldn't help here."

That's a story Macaque hasn't heard yet.

Macaque feels like an interloper into all of this. What is he doing here, listening to it all? Cole wanted him to stay so he'd stayed, but a question about whether he should leave them to their doomed reunion is perpetually on his tongue.

He makes himself busy drying and readying plates for their sandwiches and stays quiet.

"We can talk about all that later," Tobias said as he started to fry the sandwiches. They had time. Not a lot but they had time.

"So, Macaque. Got any fun or embarrassing stories about you and Cole? I'd love to hear them." He was going to include the other in this conversation. He was Cole's friend and Tobias wanted to get to know him better. Tobias also knew what it felt like to be that odd one out in a conversation. Happened enough back in the day with their old group. He wasn't going to let that happen here, if he could avoid it.

Cole poured three mugs of cocoa, one for each of them. He also knows the feeling, that being his experience with basically every mundane conversation that wasn't horror-related. But he wants to include Macaque...and to make sure he's fully collected before he ventures out again.

He's also genuinely curious about if Macaque could call anything they've done embarrassing, which he makes obvious by watching the shadow monkey from the corner of his eye. Part of making the most of this is going to be letting the first person he let close and his current roommate get to know each other a bit.

Macaque has developed a taste for cocoa, thanks Wash and Choco, so he won't complain. He also doesn't touch the mug yet.

"Embarrassing? Sorry, no ammunition here." Mainly because anything that might fit is way too personal. (Like he'd never bring up that Cole was asking for sex ed. Yikes.) "Things happen but it's nothing that really qualifies as fun. Just a series of complicated messes."

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