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

[seasonsmods]

Knocking on the 4th Wall
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Prelude (Pre 4th Wall)

On March 14th, everyone received a message. The Research Center is ready to try another test to find ways to beat the Darkness. This time the test is not done with the robots that were previously used, but instead everyone who volunteers will be participating in a virtual reality simulator. They're asked to come over to the Center on March 15th.

The researchers will explain that the purpose of this simulation is to see how several fully powered power holders fair against the Darkness. They have gathered enough data on it and the dark energy in general to determine the effects it will have on nature, monsters and wildlife if the barrier is taken off. This is the only safe way to actually test their theories.

After all the necessary explanations, everyone is asked to log in to the metaverse. Anyone logging in may notice that there are a lot of glitches as they enter.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, anyone looking at any kind of a screen (their own device, television, a digital advertisement, etc.) will have their mind sucked into the metaverse, due to the virus residing in the program. Their bodies will be left in a sleep-like state wherever they may be.

Wrong Turn at Albuquerque

The Research Center staff intended for all otherworlders to start near the Research Center so they could get used to the metaverse in peace. There are no natives in the simulator, so testing out powers around the city would have been safe as well. However, because of the glitch, people can appear anywhere, either in the city or anywhere on the segments (save from the one closed off location).

Sometimes the scenery and items in the world glitch a little bit, reminding anyone that this is the metaverse. Except the glitches weren't meant to happen. Luckily they're all mostly aesthetical, but some items may work differently than they should. You have a spoon? It actually works like a fork.

Luckily, this doesn't mean they will be without any items. They can open a menu with the device on their wrist that lets them get anything at all from Riki's Rewards during the simulator without any cost. They can think of this as special opportunity to test out all kinds of items before buying them, as they work exactly the same as they would in normal space.

For some reason, the Shady Shop also appears in the menu. That was not anyone's intention as the items are, well, shady.

Other than the two shops there are basic potion and magical item menus that people can use where needed. Even vehicles, such as airships can be summoned through the menus for easier traveling in the segments.

Some might find the glitches concerning and wish to return and tell the researches about them. The problem with that is is that clicking "Log Off" won't do anything at all, even if it's supposed to boot someone out of the metaverse. But that's not the end of the strange things going on.


You're in the Metaverse Now

Along with the otherworlders that were participating in the test, others start to join in as well due to unforeseen circumstances. Luckily, they have the same "settings" as everyone else, so they're not completely without aid wherever they end up in. They also have all of their powers unlocked for the duration of their stay in the metaverse (including all animal transformations).

As part of the strange glitch going on everyone also has access to any powers from previous worlds, if they have experienced other places before. It would seem the powers can also be shared through the item inventory, should anyone want to temporary use another world's abilities. This is possible with even a person's native powers.

And as if that wasn't enough, people who weren't on Ellipsa start appearing as well. Anyone who doesn't currently have a body on Ellipsa has a mark somewhere on their body, signaling that they're just data. This mark is somehow related to the characters that has it and emits a faint light.

All of the people who are just visiting will also be able to enjoy the metaverse the same way as anyone else. They have been sorted into a Seasons and have access to full powers - and the same item inventory. All that's different from the others is that they have no physical body to return to in this world.


Communication is the key

During the metaverse adventures, people are able to communicate through their devices, but the messages will not go out to the "normal" network. So the messages are only between those in the metaverse, but at least the network works the same way as it would in the "normal world".

Happy communicating.

It's Getting Dark, Too Dark to See

The goal of the metaverse is to have a safe environment to test powers against the Darkness. All of the barriers have been taken out, except for the one surrounding the city of Nightwake. The city acts as a safe haven to anyone who needs a break or doesn't want to fight.

Everyone is encouraged to go to where the barriers used to be and use their full, unlocked powers against everything and anything the darkness throws at them to see how well they can fight against it.

Thanks to all powers being unlocked, destroying enemies powered up by the Darkness is a lot easier, but pushing back the approaching darkness still needs something more than just raw power. Though with enough power holders of different seasons working together and crossing the different seasonal element streams fusing together different elements from each season in a single attack, it's possible to halt the advance, much like a barrier would, for 24 hours.

Due to the barriers being off, all creatures are stronger due to the Darkness's influence. Even creatures that normally have no danger level can now at least do Dark damage. Some Slime especially may seek vengeance.

Unfortunately, due to the weird glitch in the system, everyone inside the metaverse is able to feel pain when they originally weren't supposed to, to make the experience safe. It feels very real, and there's a chance any non-lethal wounds will appear on the person's real body.

Effects of "The Darkness"

The Darkness is slowly expanding from all sides. Very slowly, at a snail's pace. Everything it touches turns into black sand, before transforming into something different. Some may even recognize the things that rise from the sand, as they're monsters, fauna or people from their own world, made into more twisted forms. They may even be creatures from a popular media from back home... or at least, someone's home (players').

If a Power Holder walks into the Darkness, they won't immediately turn into anything. Instead the transformation is slow and painful. Leaving the area will stop the transformation, but any damage already done remains. If the person changes completely, they might lose their sense of self completely and attack anything in their sights.

What they turn into depends on the individual (player's choice) and the only way to reverse the changes is to die. Luckily that isn't permanent even in the metaverse. The person just gets booted out, but can re-enter anytime they want to (or in this case; is forced to). This was told to anyone before entering the program, so they could go all out and test limits as much as they want.

Wait... Did I Save?

A screen appears either when someone dies or gets forcefully booted out of the metaverse. It has two options: Remember or Forget.

Clicking "Remember" will automatically save everything that happened into a person's memory and proceed to boot them out. Clicking "Forget" will lead the person to a series of "Are you Sure" pop up windows. As the very last resort, the window suggests an option to only partially forget events that transpired in the metaverse. Choosing to still forget everything will make the person wake up from a long, dreamless sleep. The memories erased cannot be found later on, as they have been completely erased from their metaverse-selves. Even someone telling them what happened won't sound familiar.

This option is also available for any visitors during the time they're visiting. Whenever they die they get booted out and can be immediately returned to the metaverse (by the power of players) with or without their memories, depending on what they chose.

Of course, anyone can then tell the person about the very crazy stunts they made the last time they were in the metaverse. They could be complete lies, but they wouldn't have any solid proof, other than "I would never do that".

Time to Say Goodbye

Finally, on March 31st, a message comes from the outside. It's telling everyone stuck in the metaverse that they can finally leave out of their own will and stay out this time. People can then choose to leave immediately be pressing by pressing the "Log Off" button on their screen or take a moment to say goodbye to the temporary visitors of the metaverse.

The screen asking if someone wants to "Remember" or "Forget" appears, once again. This time the Forget option is even more insistent on asking if the person is sure about their choice, especially since the memories that are erased can't be taken back later.

Once everyone who exists on Ellipsa has returned to their bodies, the metaverse will be shut down. All visitors have been booted out and returned to where they came.

OOC TIPS

• Ask 4th Wall related questions here. Read the 4th wall FAQ before asking them.

• You don't need to comment on the plotting post to participate & anyone can participate in the 4th wall (there's no separate invitation needed). However, if you wish to app in later, you need an invite if you're not a friend of the mods.

• This post is open to tag and top-level by everyone! Those arriving for the 4th wall can write 4TH WALL or VISITOR on their post and/or link their top level here!

• Check the Opt-in top-level if you're considering bringing in a character that already exists in the game.

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a separate entry (like to your musebox or characters' journal).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Reminder to players in the game that this month is Activity Check-in month and check-in ends on March 31th, at 23:59 PST.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

"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?"

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

"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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

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."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

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."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

"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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

"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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

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.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

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."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

"Fair enough. Though I remember the time Cole waterlogged our house. It was needed but oh boy was it a mess after," Tobias said with a chuckle.

"Alright. Tell me about one of the messes. The least complicated of all the complicated. We can start there."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

"I think the word you're looking for is disaster, since you just bought that house and we had to move out," Cole corrects, taking a sip. Just enough to feel the warmth in his stomach. He may or may not end up being grateful that Macaque doesn't mention that, but there's no way to know.

He continues watching Macaque. He knows a funny and not-messy instance, if Macaque can't think of a story of a mess to share.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

While he chuckles at the description of the flooded house, Macaque tries and fails to come up with anything that he feels comfortable sharing. Most of the time he and Cole have spent together was dealing with some extremely personal matter or another, either theirs or someone else's. And his mind is just too full of heart games and trying not to lose it at the unreality glitches to think of anything sufficiently entertaining.

But he doesn't want to seem like he's just being obstinate, so.

"I've been a little off lately, so I'm not coming up with much that's my story to tell. But if Cole can, I'll make some shadow puppets to act it out." Look, he's trying.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

"That's alright. I did put you on the spot, sorry." Tobias apologized and finished the first sandwich. I went on Cole's plate. Cole always gets served first. Then he went on to sandwich number two.

"You got any fun stories, Cole? If not, we can do a different kind of ice breaker. Never have I ever is still popular. Especially with the caravan crowds, nowadays."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

"I'm somewhere between flying lessons, introducing Macaque to Sweeney Todd, and him having to be the bunny whisperer when I got back at the start of the year," Cole says, breaking off a piece of the sandwich and nibbling on it. None of them were particularly personal in his opinion, on the scale of air boosts to comfort spooning.

"I can start with any of those that interests you...since I don't know Never Have I Ever."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

"It's not you. Just an odd piece of timing." Which is true enough. Tobias seems fine. But Macaque just literally got his heart ripped open and had almost everyone he loves climb inside to put it back together, so his mind is in a weird place.

"The problem with Never Have I Ever is that when you're centuries old, you've done everything. But I don't mind it if you want to."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

"Sounds like Never Have I Ever would be a fun challenge for you both then. And it's great at getting to know people. But I gotta hear the bunny whisperer story first. That sounds adorable. Tell it, Cole. And Macaque and provide the visual aids, like he offered," Tobias said with a bright smile. Oh this was going to be great. Cole loved his bunny so him having one here was good too. Smokey was such a good rabbit.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

Cole actually smiles a little. "Okay...so, when I first got back, I found out that I needed to go to the stables. But I didn't know why. Turns out, there was a huge rabbit in the stables that looks just like Smokey. But she wasn't. Smokey. I didn't have a place for anything her size, so I was going to go home and try and figure things out, but whenever I tried she would try to follow me. So after awhile I used the network to ask if anyone knew enough about bunnies to help."

He pauses to take a drink. "Macaque...being, well, him...just showed up and offered to try and connect us so that we could understand what her deal was. So he touched her, then I touched him and it was a bit like one of those mind melds in a movie. I was able to ask her her name and how she knew me, and she kind of used pictures to answer. Her name's Ash, and she's protective of me. So...I still couldn't leave her there since she wouldn't let me, but Macaque offered to leave a portal in the stable os she could see me at home and she agreed to it. But...I'm pretty sure it was because she could be half in the house, because she spent the next week or so just laying in the portal. Which means someone went to the stables and there was just a rabbit butt relaxing on the floor."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

Macaque shadow-plays out the thing as promised, doing a bunny approximation of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree But Make It Bunny.

"Necessity is the mother of invention and all that. It was either that or Cole lived in the stable until they got the addition built."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

Tobias smiled and listened closely to the story. The rabbit being stuck in the portal did get a hearty laugh out of him. Oh that was so cute. He shook his head as he deposited the second sandwich in front of Macaque now. Then he started on his own.

"Oh wow. Hehehe. That is too funny. I'm guessing the rabbit has a nice hutch now all for her. What a darling. She must be from that Fancier group I saw. The Cult of the Smoke Rabbit. Makes sense why she's so protective of you. She's gotta be Smokey's whole lotta greats Granddaughter or something by now," Tobias explained.

"She still following you everywhere? Except into this place, obviously."

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[tethered_roamer]

The shadowy visual aid is amusing to watch and Cole enjoys telling the story. But then Tobias says that...and that may be the single most absurd thing he's ever heard.

"Cult of the Smoke Rabbit? Smokey has a cult?" he asks, more than a little dumbstruck. You just...don't expect to hear that about your pets. "...Ash does, if I'm out too long. But why is there a cult with Smokey's family?"

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[castaside]

It actually doesn't surprise Macaque to hear that Smokey has a cult. Cole's life is fucking weird.

So he just listens for now, not expecting to make much sense of it.

Re: Because it had to be. Also 2

[toymonsterhunter]

Macaque was one to talk but who wasn't weird out here? Finding a normal person was the challenge. Tobias nodded.

"Yep. The Cult of Smokey, as I call them. Smokey has a whole cult. They raise giant rabbits. Mostly for riding and some for battle. They got rabbit armor and everything," Tobias explained casually like he was giving directions to the local Starbucks. When weird becomes the new normal.

"Not entirely sure how it started. But they worship the Smoke Rabbit, the ancestor of all the rabbits at the Cuniculture. They worship Smokey. Knowing how things go, I bet Smokey got into some hedge fruit that enlarged her and after everything that went down, boom. Rabbit cult."