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

[wingbound]

He can afford to be gentle most of the time, now. Most of the time, he doesn't know how. He doesn't make children cry or anything, but his care is always plain, weathered. Sometimes even a little tough, though he thinks he does a decent job at balancing it with encouragement when needed. Sometimes a little violence is the best way to learn a lesson, though.

But that doesn't apply here.

He's probably thinking something similar; how even here, their skills seem to be complimenting each other in exactly the ways they're missing. Maybe it was always meant to be that way, he thinks. Maybe that's why things were so hard in the end.

He hums a quiet agreement, though his eyes dart momentarily toward the other man as he mentions the fight; he frowns slightly and holds the stare.

"Just because they've slapped your arm back on, doesn't make you battle-ready." As far as Levi's concerned, he's still a wounded soldier, in greater danger than the rest of them. He hasn't really been training that much, either, much as Levi doesn't want to point that out just because he's sensitive about it after that pancake conversation.

Sure, this digital place is supposed to be like a game of some sort, with no real death. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't feel, look, sense real.

He struggles, not wanting to spit out the words that twist at the tip of his tongue lest the man takes it as accusatory rather than begging. I've watched you die enough times for a lifetime already.

[offeredhearts]

Erwin feels that stare, but he's concentrating on opening up little holes in the dirt for more sprouts and doesn't return it. The words twist a half wince, half grimace to his lips. All of a sudden he feels the little kernel of guilt that's been sitting in his stomach for months more sharply. He could have kept up with training, if he'd wanted. In the two months prior to the ride out to Shiganshina, Erwin had pushed himself, trained tirelessly to relearn how to use the gear with one hand - for maneuverability, if nothing else. Yet so far, he's done nothing to keep up those skills here. Obviously, there's a need, and soon enough he'll have no excuse.

But still...

He's quiet for a few moments, feeling the remnants of the oldest argument that's lived in him for decades scratching once again at his conscience.

What he ought to do, and what he wants to do.

He holds a cosmos blossom in his hand, the petals soft and pure white, and finally presses it into the waiting earth.

"...no, I suppose you're right." His voice is quiet, laced with those old thoughts. "Even so, this is our home now...if there's something I can do to protect it, I should."

[wingbound]

To Levi, it feels almost like he's avoiding it. He doesn't know what Erwin is thinking -- that's always been a challenge -- but the fact that he wants to go out there is telling enough. His suspicions are confirmed soon enough, and he frowns, torn between agreeing -- they should all do what they can lest they lose this world and their second chance with it -- and slapping the man silly because he's a big part of what Levi wants to protect in this place.

His chest feels constricted. Somehow, even if it's different, this conversation reminds him of a certain evening before what just might be the worst day of his life. Up until the Rumbling, at least. That also sucked a lot. His fingers press a little deeper into the soil.

He doesn't have to keep standing at the door this time. He doesn't have to try to reason him out of it. And yet, I don't want you to feels so selfish. Shouldn't Erwin get a say in what he wants, finally?

He reaches over, placing a hand over Erwin's and pushing it a little firmer into the earth, insistent but careful, as if helping to shield that cosmos blossom from harm -- and perhaps Erwin along with it. His eyes never leave his face, determined.

You don't owe them shit.

"If you must do something, then use your real strength. Work with the guild leaders, use that massive brain of yours. Leave the monsters to those of us who can't figure out how to win the whole thing."

[offeredhearts]

That hand on his, the direct contact seems to shake him from the threatening spiral of his thoughts. This is how they've always been for one another, pillars of mutual support leaning in together. When one begins to slip, the other is there, digging in against the earth, keeping them both upright.

Erwin looks at him then. The shuddering in his heart latches onto that determination in Levi's eyes and seems to still a little, but it doesn't entirely chase away the guilt that he feels. While Levi thinks of one conversation, Erwin is reminded of another, the last memories he has of just the two of them. Just like then, it feels as though he's taking the decision out of his hands, giving him permission to follow his true desire.

Except that it still feels selfish. No, he doesn't owe anybody anything, but it's difficult to shake the thought that if there's something he could be doing, he should do it. The guild leaders would benefit from his skills, wouldn't they? Could the conflict end sooner if Erwin were to lend his capabilities to their efforts? Would it make this home peaceful, faster?

Is it his responsibility?

His gaze slides to their hands, pressing into the dirt around something precious, delicate. His chest tightens.

"I..."

[wingbound]

Sometimes, though, it feels like they're both slipping. Levi stares at him, and he's tense like a tuned string on an instrument. Not again, he tells himself, yells, runs after the phantom memory. Wait. This time, he can do it right.

His hand gradually tightens around Erwin's until he's wrapped his fingers around the man's palm, not caring of the dirt digging under his nails as he does so.

"You've paid your dues, Erwin," he cuts him off mercilessly. "You can do whatever the fuck you want."

There's enough otherworlders here to pick up the slack even if the wounded and the children don't fight this time.

"If you wanna help, great. You can do that without getting yourself killed, from a safe distance. If you don't, it's the same thing. Stay away and stay alive. If anyone gives you shit for it-- just--"

Something cracks a little in his voice, and his gaze finally slips away, now focusing instead on that white cosmos blossom next to their hands.

"Just say that I threatened to break the rest of your limbs if I catch you on the front lines. Because I fucking will, Erwin, I--" He looks at him again, then, and there's so much of everything in his eyes -- pain, determination, fear, worry, anguish -- that he looks like he's about to cry or punch him, maybe both. "I've had enough of watching you die."

[offeredhearts]

Hearing the crack in Levi's voice fractures something in his chest. That night...their last night inevitably comes tumbling back. His stubbornness, his selfishness, trying to hold Levi at bay because there was always a small chance that Erwin would give in to that request. Levi had been willing to take the blame for whatever would have happened in Erwin's absence, to take the heat of responsibility away from him, if it meant keeping him alive.

He'd refused. His dream wouldn't allow him to be absent from the moment the truth of their world was revealed, no matter the cost. In the end, his stubbornness hadn't granted him that wish, but Erwin has to hope that his presence had helped at least some of them survive. Had helped Levi survive. Surely, that had been worth it. That alone, he won't regret.

But here they are again, somehow. Levi giving him an excuse, to back out, offering to take on any criticism, to really break all of his limbs if it'll keep him safe.

What Erwin sees in his eyes, changed after four hard years, breaks open his chest. All of the pain he caused, his foolishness, all of the things he couldn't do because he wasn't there...and here he is, having learned nothing, apparently, wounding Levi like this all over again when he has no real reason to this time.

I've had enough of watching you die.

His grip tightens on Levi's, eyes blurring. Carefully he lifts their hands away from the flower, and heedless of the dirt that remains on them, pulls Levi close, into the circle of his arms. Both of them. His embrace is fierce, a little stooped so that he can hide his face in dark hair. Erwin holds him so, so tightly.

"I won't do that to you again," he whispers softly. "Forgive me, Levi."

[wingbound]

If he had not been there, it's possible that none of them would have made it back that day. Perhaps if Eren could have outrun the Beast's rocks, a few of them would have still gotten away, but...

Levi understands that Erwin had to be there that day, both because of his wishes, and because it had allowed the other nine of them to go forward, for better or worse. But he doesn't have to like it. He doesn't have to let it play out again.

He blinks angrily, trying to maintain that stare without it getting blurred, but a moment later he's being pulled into a hug and he lets himself crumble, just a little bit, a soft gasp-like noise muffled somewhere against Erwin's chest before he wills his arms to move and wrap around the other man in return.

Perhaps it's a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Perhaps it's a little sob. Perhaps another argument, cut off before it could turn into words.

"You don't need to apologize to me," he mutters flatly, letting his weight rest against Erwin's frame because the moments where he doesn't have to be strong are still rare even here, if less so than back home. "But you'd better keep that promise."

Don't do it to me again. That's all I ask. My biggest selfish wish.

[offeredhearts]

Those sounds arrow into him, bringing back the memory of finding Levi here for the first time, that terrible pain of separation and reunion, all of the hurt that he'd carried for so long. It's staggering, to think of the immensity of it that would bring him to this state and then. All of the years of loss throughout his life, and Erwin could do nothing but add to it. They both had always known it was a possibility, but that didn't mean it would wound any less deeply.

He feels Levi lean into him, strengthening his hold automatically to take his weight and hold him steady, as his Captain has done so many times before for him. His unwavering companionship, his steadfast loyalty - Erwin had been convinced that at some point, he would find the end of it. Yet he never did.

And never will, it seems.

How could he do anything but promise?

"I will," he whispers softly, edges of his voice fragile like a chipped bowl that's been dropped almost too many times. One hand winds to carefully cup Levi at the back of the head, holding him so, so close.

"The same goes for you. Don't go taking any unnecessary chances...I can't..."

[wingbound]

Of course he couldn't find the end of it. It would probably still be there when both of their bodies turn to ash. Levi hopes that will not happen for a long time.

For now, he marvels at the solid presence against him, a pillar, a foundation. For now, he can have it under his fingertips, and it still feels surreal because he had long made his peace with never feeling it again, if he's even done so like this ever before to begin with. He lets the other man hold him, his own arms tightening slightly around him in return, apparently not in a rush to move his face away from his ample bosom chest just yet.

It just feels nice not to have to worry about whatever expressions are betraying his feelings on his face at the moment. He thinks he's inadvertently made Erwin bear even more guilt, and he feels bad about it, but there's little he can do right now aside from trying to gently squeeze it out of him.

Can he make that promise back, though? He's not sure. He needs to defend this place, because he can, and this is their new home, and there's few people better suited for it even with his... slightly worsened physical state. But that's hardly unnecessary, right? For a moment, he wonders how would Erwin fare if the roles had been reversed, how he would handle the grief Levi had felt, but he knows without question that he could never subject him to it. No, guess they'll never know.

"I won't," he says, and he hopes it's true. He can't take that quiver he hears in Erwin's voice; as always, it prompts him to pivot. "You're not getting rid of me that easily, Blondie."

[offeredhearts]

It is probably just as well that their roles hadn't been reversed. It was a scenario Erwin had always done his utmost to avoid, and he always had the perfect excuse that Levi is simply too valuable of a soldier to squander without exhausting all other options, including laying down his own life. Because deep down, Erwin knew that should Levi die before him, he would cease to be the man he was.

In all likelihood, he would have ceased to be a man at all.

Of course, they'll never know for certain. That's not what happened, and Erwin may have many regrets, but ensuring the survival of Levi and the others would never be one of them.

Instead of going along with the quip, Erwin continues seriously.

"I never want to be rid of you, Levi." Fingers tighten in black hair, then soften again. "I know I can never ask you to sit still when there are people you could help, but let me be selfish and beg you to do whatever you must to come back to me. To us."

[wingbound]

He's done a good job at it. Too good, in fact. He'd gotten his way, even though Levi held similar if reversed views about himself being replaceable and Erwin being crucial to their success. Erwin and Eren. What a grimace of fate that turned out to be.

Levi frowns, and with his attempt at humor falling flat like that, Erwin's words weigh heavier on his heart. He hugs him a little tighter still.

"I will," he reassures, hoping he'll never have to test that declaration. (He will. Sooner than he thinks.) "I'm not letting anything keep me away if I can help it."

[offeredhearts]

"Good." Erwin holds him more tightly, an inevitable feedback loop of clutching one another close until it's hard to breathe, as though they could force their hearts to physically meld together. He has an almost irresistible urge to just pluck Levi from the ground and hold him that way, as though the only safe place is really in his arms, lest he float away or be sucked down into the earth.

"...good," he repeats, more softly this time, exhaling. Levi has always made good on his word, on his promises, to the best of his ability. Erwin has no reason to doubt him. Especially not now.

As he has done a few times before, now, he presses his face into dark hair, inhaling the wonderfully familiar scent, letting it soothe him. Erwin lingers on this feeling - how perfect Levi fits against him, both arms wound about his smaller frame. How he's longed to do precisely this, and so many other things that require two full arms and two full hands. To just hold him.

Also as before, he leaves a surreptitious kiss at the crown of Levi's head, ignoring any possible complaints in his body at his stooped position. Maybe it's because it isn't real, but it seems like it's easier to stay folded around the smaller man for much longer than before.

He adds softly, more humorous than anything: "If you don't, I will have to be very cross with you."

#romance

[wingbound]

He could probably do that. By now Levi's used enough to casual contact that he wouldn't think much of it, and then he tended to make bigger allowances for certain people anyway. The increasingly tight hug is just as nice, though, even if he registers that it's probably starting to get a little ridiculous.

Feeling both of Erwin's arms around himself is certainly a new sensation even here, though. He feels that little kiss and he feels some way, somewhere between flustered and bristling, and boundlessly happy. Touch energy is possibly not supposed to work here, but he feels warmth spreading from that point of contact anyway.

He leans his head back a little so he can finally look at the other man, expression flat. For better or worse, Erwin has just established that it's time to joke around, so he really should know what he'd walked into.

"Oh, you mean when you scrunch your eyebrows like this--" he does his best imitation of a stony scowl, which funnily enough manages to look slightly different from his usual ones, "--and look like you're trying to suck a shit back in?"

You know it

[offeredhearts]

It'll only be ridiculous when one or the other of them can't breathe. Until then, everything else is fair game, as far as Erwin is concerned.

He's also keenly aware of what it means to open up the floor to a more lighthearted tone - but as usual, instead of being anything remotely offended by the shit commentary, he just chuckles softly. It's maybe a little dangerous to find that expression terribly endearing, even if Levi is making fun of him.

But what has Erwin ever done when it comes to danger and risks? Taken them head on.

He leans in and kisses Levi right between his scrunched brows.

"Yes," he says fondly, eyes full of love. "Exactly like that."

that IS the most perfect icon for this 😭

[wingbound]

He blinks in mild surprise, relaxing a little in contentment, the frown falling away from his face as result. Oh.

He feels a faint blush creep up his cheeks.

He pouts, but he can't help the amusement glinting in his eyes. "Well we can't have that," he declares in his usual flat tone. "Guess you'd better keep bribing me into behaving."

heheheh

[offeredhearts]

It is always so rewarding to see Levi taken even a little off guard like that. Watching the frown and hints of scowl fall away into something softer, the slight color that rises on his cheeks...it just makes Erwin smile more.

Especially when he sees that look in his eyes.

"Hmm." His hands are still a bit dirty from the soil, so touching Levi more is out.

Guess he'll have to continue using his lips.

So another kiss follows the first, pressed to his forehead.

"One I'll be happy to pay."

uhuehue

[wingbound]

Levi huffs quietly. The forehead kisses are nice and comforting, but they also make him feel small, somehow. Like he's a brat who needs to be wrapped up in a blanket and rocked to sleep lest he gets into trouble, not that he's ever had anyone to do that for him.

"You'd better," he says, leaning his cheek against Erwin's chest as he gives him another squeeze before finally relaxing his grip. "Come on, your garden's getting dry."

They still have a bunch more flowers to plant and water... which, them being a virtual illusion, they probably aren't going to die either way, but Levi's had enough of drowning in overwhelming softness and fondness and he subconsciously inches back toward the normal.