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

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!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

"Oh... okay lets try it. We're all stuck in a simulation anyway so it's not like it's gonna give me heartburn or whatever." Dick agreed although he did frown when Paulo admitted that he wasn't old enough to drink, but also didn't care either. Like really it wasn't any of his business and he shouldn't say anything, and yet, well this guy was young.

"Well, if you're gonna do it anyway just don't be stupid about it." He said eventually. "Everyone thinks bad things aren't going happen to them until they suddenly do."

"Sweet. Coming up. And you don't gotta worry about me," Paulo said with a smile. "I don't like drink all the time. I drive and I know better. Drinking and driving is for fucking losers. Not this cool guy," Paulo motioned to himself and ran his fingers through his bangs. He jogged back into the kitchen to get the onions grilling next.

"This matrix place is pretty cool. We get powers and I remember the last crazy world I went to. It's kinda nice."

Dick laughed mosty to himself as he watched Paulo run a hand through his hair. "Don't get Cocky."

"Wait you've been been to more than one crazy world?"

"Too late!" Paulo laughed and flipped the burger.

"Oh yeah. Apparently this kinda shit happens like all the time. Different worlds need help. Last time I went to the Digital World. Got a Digimon partner. Helped save the world. Not that I actually did that much. There were a lot of us. Like a lot a lot," Paulo nodded.

"Your first time, huh?"

"Ha ha."

Moving on from the joke

"Well there's a lot of people in the real version of this place too. Not many cats though. Unless you count the ones that walk on four legs." Dick sipped his beer. "So what's your name kid?"

"You get used to the humans, honestly. Took me a while," Paulo said with a shrug.

"Names Paulo. What's yours?"

"Call me Dick. And ou're from a world without humans? Am I understanding that right?"

Paulo laughed and covered his mouth. He snickered. "Dude, best name ever." He kept snickering for a moment.

"Yep. That's right. Only cats and dogs in my world."

Dick rolls his eyes, it's fine though since The kid could have done much worse than snicker.

"What so you just... evolved with hands feet and the ability to talk?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Thumbs too. Thumbs are great. Unless you believe all that god crap and we were made in his image or whatever," Paulo shrugged. He didn't really get evolution. He wasn't a smart student. But it had science behind it and Daisy believed it. So it had to be right.

"Isn't that how it worked for you too?"

"Huh..." Dick took a moment to wrap his mind around that. The cats and dogs in Paulo's world were lucky bastards.

"Nope, go far enough back in any cat's family history and you'll find a test tube baby," He explained taking another swig of beer. "Humans made us."

"Oh," was all Paulo could think to say. So humans made Dick and his kind? He wasn't really a sci-fi kinda kid but he'd seen Terminator.

"This ended up going badly for either you guys or the humans, didn't it?"

"Uh... You want the real answer to that kid?" Dick asked. "It's not exactly what you signed up for when you came into work today."

"I mean only if you want to, man," Paulo said with a nod. "I've just seen Terminator before so I was wondering if it was like that or something else."

"Terminator? Hey we got that movie in my world too... such a shame they only made two." Dick grinned. "Seriously if they haven't made a third in your world yet and they do? Pirate it. It wasn't worth the money."

"Seriously Seriously though, my world ain't as bad as that. Like could there be an uprising in the future? Maybe. But not yet if only because we don't have the numbers, or the resources, and I don't think enough of us are angry enough to try and start one."

Yet. And that was only one cat's opinon.

"You got it. Never pay for Terminator 3. Sucks to hear but whatever," Paulo started to put together the burger and grabbed the fries. He delivered Dick's food and sat in the booth with him.

"I mean, sounds like it might suck some but like how other worlds do. Hope things get better. But at least, usually, none of that shit follows you here. You just end up finding whole new shit to deal with."

"Well the good news is I had just escaped the worse of it before I ended up here." Dick offered Paulo what he hoped was a reassuring smile as they sat in the booth. "The bad news is I'm not sure what I'm gonna do next, but it'll shake out."

Dick picked a fry and tossed it in his mouth, huh, not bad considering nothing here was real.

"But, yeah that stuff you said about shit not following you? Wander far enough from the city and there's this darkness stuff that will grab that shit and shove it in your face if you get to close to it. So you might want to stay in the city until the simulation crap is over."

"I mean, you got time to think while you're here, at least," Paulo said with a nod. Then it faded as Dick explained about the darkness.

"Well that ain't fucking good. So I'm stuck in the city part? Great. I had wanted to go out and explore the other stuff. But if there are way more of those monsters and worse out there, I'm not touching it."

"Well... " Dick thought about it more, this did didn't seem totally irraspoinsable, he had taken it upon himself to start working here even when he didn't need too. "I ran into the darkness a fair distance from the actually city so it should be okay to go and take a look around, just don't get lost and wander right into the stuff like I did.

"I found a nasty robot lion when I first got here. Fought it off with a guy but got burned," He rolled up his sleeve to show his wrapped arm.

"I'm definitely not going out there alone. Just was hoping some other part was safe outside the city. Guess not. You got away from it alright. So that's good."

"Not by myself I didn't. Someone pulled me out of there and dropped me off." Dick explained as he took the chance to took at Paulo's bandaged arm."And the stuff wrecked my favourite jacket... actually it was my only jacket. But on the upside I got to burn Skye, now if only I got the chance to do that for real. Heh...Sorry that probably sounded bad what with what happened to you."

"Whoever treated you did good work at least. It doesn't hurt too bad does it?"

"Yeah. Nine is a pretty cool dude," Paulo said, "Sounds like whoever you burned deserved it. Just a fair warning. If you're Summer like me, fire won't burn you. Lava will. Even your own lava. So be careful with it."

Dick looked at Paulo suprised, eyes flicking down to the bandaged arm and back again. "The voice of experance huh? Thanks for the warning."

The older cat picked up the burger taking a bite out of it .

"Got to be honest though," He admitted after eating some of the burger. "I've done enough fighting. I'm going to avoid it here if I can."

Paulo nodded to the question. Yep. Watch out for lava. Summer powers don't protect from that, for some stupid reason.

"It's not a bad idea. Leave the fighting up to the people with like super human powers back home. That's what I learned in the Digital World. You can't just fist fight a monster that can spit fire. Doesn't usually go well."

"That does sound like a huge oversight."

Now Dick felt bad. What happened to the kid who was full of puff and bluster a few moments ago?

"I think I want to see if I could help on the medical side of things. I know a little medicine, maybe it will be enough to be an assistant, or maybe I could learn more." Dick tried to catch Paulo's eye. "You took over this place and is running it just fine by yourself. Super powers or not fighters still gotta eat, gotta know where to go and when, if you want to help save this world maybe that's a path you could take?"

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

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