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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.
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[That is, presuming it’s him of course, and not just a cheap imitation. Still he’ll probably take a good look around later.]
But what makes you so certain it was him? Aside from his handsome face of course.
[Jade thinks he’s real funny sometimes.]
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[She reaches out to tug on his long hair strand!]
For a start, he hated on your mushrooms. He got so angry, he said he was sick of them and outright left because he didn't want to look at them anymore! He also refused to call me by my name, even after I introduced myself!
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[He says with a chuckle as she tugs his hair, only that chuckle to turn into an outright laugh at her description of his brother's antics. Still it was superficial qualities at best, though it was likely that the only one who could discern whether or not it truly was his brother.]
Well, that certainly sounds like him. He and Azul just don't appreciate the bounty I bring back from the mountains back home. Now, out of curiosity, what did he call you?
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[He gets a stern look for good measure!]
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I can see it. Small, cute, with big eyes and frills.
[Of course he missed the context for the "clingy" bit.]
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...
Thank you for looking after me. I'm glad that Historia wasn't alone with that task.
[She's also plain glad that Jade's been watching over her, but she'll rather frame it in relation to the relief he provided to Historia!]
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You gave us both quite a scare, you know.
[And much like her, framing it as being from both him and Historia, as opposed to just him. Easier that way.]
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I wonder how many others it happened to... and not everyone may have been in a safe location when they were pulled in. I hope no one came to harm.
[That includes Floyd - but he must've been at school, where classmates and teachers would have noticed him missing before long (if he was alone to begin with). After all, electronics and the underwater world aren't a good mix!]
I hope no natives were affected, but from what I saw, it was all otherworlders.
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[Because honestly, he can’t be assed to care about any of those other people. That’s a them problem. He’s having enough of a time being emotionally invested in this one human.
Which, speaking of, this one human has some basic needs she should probably take care of… and even if she’s fine, it will make him feel better.]
Are you hungry?
[Guess who’s been killing time by cooking?]
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[After getting something to drink, she's definitely feeling how empty her stomach is! She gets up and pulls him along into the kitchen - only to smell that some freshly made food is already waiting for them.]
I see I woke up at just the right time!
[This is perfect, truly! She sets the table with Jade (who may get a message from Historia at some point, saying she'll be out a little longer - other people, including friends of hers, have finally been able to log out of the simulation as well!)]
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It was a relief in some sense, but he remained worried that she might be over doing it.]
Are you sure you’re alright? I can take care of the rest, it’s more important that you get something to eat right now than I.
[He says like he hasn’t been trying to get her to sit and eat this whole time.]
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If you insist on spoiling me, I won't complain!
[Besides, she can hardly reassure him that her titan powers make her a lot more durable than a regular human - that's a secret she's still keeping from him, after all. Whatever it is that he cooked, she'll dig in as soon as it's served (not before downing a couple glasses of water, though - that's what her body needed the most!).]
Mmm. Oh, I did miss your food, Jade. Eating in the simulation wasn't the same at all! I hope you didn't feel lonely, having to cook without me.
[A little tease... but Floyd did tell her that Jade was a clingy boy!]
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[He says with a laugh. This should be seen as a negative, exasperating quality, but there's something about Jade's tone to imply he absolutely relishes in his brother's unpredictable nature.]
He’s actually a phenomenal cook if he’s in the mood for it. If he’s not… well, then apathy sets in and he begins to get sloppy.
[There was a part of him that was tempted to try out the simulation as well, if just in hopes of seeing his brother again, but that was just a temporary and artificial fix. He would struggle with the parting too much.
It drive home Frieda's words, and he couldn't help but think back to how he was the previous week. He... wasn't fairing well, was he? Still, he realizes he's gone silent a moment too long, and responds with a smile.]
Your absence was deeply felt. I fear I may have been a bit overbearing on poor Historia in your absence.
[Floyd is out there somewhere with the satisfaction of knowing he absolutely called this.]
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[And who could blame Floyd when the whole city was his playground, with all shops and cafés and diners deserted and the wares up for grabs? Maybe he took command of a restaurant kitchen here or there, but that's not quite the same as Jade's home-cooked food in Frieda's book!
Jade's sincere response softens her smile. He really missed her... it still touches her every time she realises just how deeply fond he is of her, much as the feeling is mutual. The knowledge that her inherited will would allow her to move on more easily in case of a separation stings, really - it doesn't seem fair to Jade. Alas, nothing can be allowed to stand in the way of ensuring that the Eldians' destiny is fulfilled. She briefly closes her eyes to push the matter out of her mind for the time being, not wanting it to interfere with her personal emotions in this moment.]
It's a good thing I could finally return, then! Though I can't imagine that Historia objected to having you around, all the less in the kitchen.
[It's not like Historia hasn't benefited from Jade and Frieda's joint cooking ventures before! But much as Frieda wouldn't have wanted her sister to feel lonely without her, she knows that she has her own friends here in Ellipsa (which is a whole separate can of worms that Frieda has been careful not to open on Historia - her own feelings about the Survey Corps aside, she does want her sister to be happy). Depending on how clingy Jade truly got, it may have been a lot for Historia to handle on top of her usual social circle!]
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[Jade finished plating her up a whole meal, perhaps too much (as he often did) and set it in front of her, along with a fresh cup of tea. A new blend he'd made with strawberries, with her in mind, during his abundance free time. Something fresh and sweet like spring.]
I did at least try to keep myself useful. Historia did not want for food in your absence I can assure you.
[And to be honest she probably had extra to bring to her friends as well.
...he'd had... a lot of free time.]
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How about we go to the botanical gardens tomorrow? Or to your place, for a swim?
[She'd go with him right after their meal if it weren't for her sister - she couldn't leave here without first giving her a heartfelt hug and answering the many questions she must have about the experiment! Beside, she may just feel too full to move much more today after filling her stomach so well.]
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[There's a moment while dishing up his own meal where he pauses to just stare off with a frown, at the realization that he's turning into his mother with all his fretting. But quickly shakes that away and joins her at the table.]
And swimming might not feel like it, but it's rather taxing- for humans anyway.
[Much like how simply walks tended to be big tests of endurance for merfolk.]
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[She'd never have expected to take something as absurd as being pulled into a virtual reality for many days on end more in stride than him, who is from a more advanced world - but then again, isn't it always easier to be the person going on a strange adventure than the one left behind to worry?]
Still, we can take it easy. Let's start with looking at how much the mushrooms have grown while I was away! I doubt they adequately mirrored that development in the simulation.
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[Someone (not naming any names) may have gone to the library equivalent of Web MD in his spare time, and scared himself silly reading up stories of coma victims and their recoveries.
At least mushrooms do prove to be a rather distracting topic.]
You went to check them in the simulation?
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[Of course, she won't tell Jade about her embarrassing mix-up! That really would be the only reason she might appreciate it if Floyd did end up choosing the 'Forgot' option.]
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[He was going to remark about the mushrooms not being destroyed- but then he realized that there was no way Frieda would know Floyd was Floyd upon first seeing him. He could only imagine how that interaction went, and he needed to know.]
I can only imagine your surprise to discover that you had the wrong Leech.
[He says with a big cheeky grin, resting his chin in his hand, blissfully unaware that his brother gave her sufficient ammunition to use against him in retaliation.]
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[Like hell will she outright admit that she confused Floyd for Jade!! And if he presses her on it, she will indeed bring out all the devastating baby Jade facts Floyd shared so blithely!]
I have to say, spending time with him was a bit like spending time with my little brother Dirk.
[Unlike Floyd, Dirk is 14, but at times he needs to be met with the same little psychological tricks!]
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[And that grin does not leave his face as she so smoothly tries to dodge the subject.]
You got us mixed up, didn't you?
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Only because his back was turned! I realised immediately!
[After Floyd stared at her for what felt like a whole minute, but even so!]
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So there must have been an added reason Floyd was calling you "Cuttlefishie", I wonder what it could be.
[He knows, Frieda. He knows.]
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