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

Max was grinning like a cat at the moment. Oh he was loving this idea. For what reasons or why, unknown. But it was something he was happy about. The music changed and grew louder. (Put on Train Train by Lynda Carter for a listen).

"I want his shadow removed to rob him of the very thing he desires most. He can't get that if he has no shadow. I want you to steal his chance at accomplishing his life's ambition. The ultimate revenge for me."

Macaque glances at Cole for a moment, noticing that he looks like he's about to panic. That doesn't make Macaque hesitate, it spurs him on.

He turns back to Max.

"Deal. You tell me exactly how to help Cole. I come to your world, steal Zephyr's shadow and make sure that it is never returned."

Sure, he doesn't know exactly what he's agreeing to. He doesn't care.

Max motioned with his hand and a contract appeared, completely with musical note shaped pen.

"Sign on the line. You're going to help Cole three times. Once at the beginning, and twice in the middle. The end you don't get to see. He'll have all the help he needs by then. He'll need the help in the early and mid-game.

In the early game, travel will be a problem. You'll use your lovely shadows to move him and his little companions to their destination of choice. From there, you can go off to steal Zephyr's shadow. You'll have the most time to do it. From there, you will help twice in the mid-game. The first time will be in what is New Eden nowadays. You will hear the chorus and tell Cole what they're singing. Giving him something no one else will be able to hear.

From there, you help again on a farm. You'll set free the blond one. K-11. Free him from his prison so he can save Cole. You might be tempted to save Cole but trust me. Saving K-11 is saving Cole's life and Cole's sanity. I suspect K-11 will be a pillar for Cole by then.

From there, feel free to exact vengeance on any who escape Cole and his friends as you see fit. Doing so will make sure they never come back to haunt their group again. Those are the ways you can help Cole. After that, come find me. And I'll return you either here or to your world. Whichever you choose at the time."

Macaque listens to the instructions. Repeats them to himself to be certain he has it.

He knows that Cole will think this is a mistake. There are downsides that he's not aware of, certainly. It's impossible to see all the cards when he's not familiar with the world.

He'll have to hope that it's enough to be of some help. Maybe keep Cole alive. At least keep someone important to him alive.

He takes the pen, and signs the contract. It'll be whatever it is. He couldn't just do nothing.

"The deal is sealed," The contract rolled itself up and disappeared with the pen. Max grinned.

"Pleasure doing business with you. I look forward to you seeing my world. I really like what I've done with the place."

Cole finally snapped out of his stupor at those words and fixed Macaque with a stare that was almost as indignat as it was still panicked. "Why would you do that?! You coming to our world...You're stupid for taking that risk!"

Macaque expected that reaction. He's almost preternaturally calm.

"Then I'm stupid. But it's done."

"Come now Cole! It'll be fun. He did it for you. Told you. People just want to take care of you. And I can always count on that to help me get things done~" Max said with a flourish of his hand and the biggest grin on his face.

"All according to plan."

"You have a terrible idea of fun!"

Macaque being that calm about it wasn't helping, and somehow the only thing keeping Cole from outright yelling or screaming was not wanting to actually cause Macaque pain. "What if something goes wrong?! What if something happens to you because you're helping me?!"

"What if something happened to you because I didn't? Maybe you can live with that, but I can't. So we'd be an an impasse either way."

"I haven't had that many complaints before," Max mumbled under his breath. He listened to Cole and Macaque. He pinged on quickly where some of Cole's concern must be coming from. Well. Interesting.

"What if nothing bad happens? There is no guarantee he'll be harmed. And if it makes you feel better, I will use my power and influence to help him get out of trouble if he gets into it. Will that help you feel more calm about it, Cole?"

"You wouldn't be there to know about it! But if you're there helping then I'll find out if something is happening!"

Cole ignored the petulant grumble from Max, though his attention was pulled back to the man. There was no room for random positives for the people he cared about back home, so what if nothing bad happened wasn't something he was even willing to hope for. It was the most natural reaction he could have at the moment, even if it wasn't the most reasonable or rational one. But the promise of added protections was enough to calm him a little. "And you'll do everything in your power to make sure he gets home safely?"

"I'll know for the rest of the time I'm here that I did nothing. You don't think that would matter to me?"

He turns to Max. "How about you use that power and influence to help Cole, instead?"

Max hummed at the two questions.

"Both questions, equally valid. I can do what Cole requests. I can't use all of my power and influence to help Cole, however. Not how the game works," Max said with a nod. As if it was all very easy to understand.

"Simply put, you are an outside player. A guest invited in on my invitation. You will exist outside the rules, Macaque. Therefore, no rules can influence my hold, reach, or influence on you when in my world. Cole, however, is at home in my world. And the rules are specific about that. My power and influence cannot undermine, withhold, delay, manipulate, remove, contaminate, or otherwise influence anyone's free will. That's a rule for all beings like me. And as such, I can't really step in to stop others from exercising their free will to harm, lie to, manipulate, or kill Cole and his friends. No matter how much it would please me to do so.

And most of the threats he'll face are beneath me and given that gift of free will and all the protections that come with it."

"So the answer is to make it something I'll remember for the rest of my life in my world instead?"

Being a changeling, Cole did understand the logic Max was operating off of and it was enough to somewhat soothe him back into some semblance of composure. It wasn't perfect, but it would do. As long as Macaque didn't die...or worse, because the worse was the most terrifying part...well, that was acceptable enough.

He nodded once, conceding to Max's promise.

Macaque listens carefully. It's a good point. But there's a corollary.

"If I'd exist outside the system, you could let me help more than those three times and it wouldn't break any of your rules."

For a price, of course. Macaque's expression says that he knows it.

Max watched the two of them speak more. Cole had a point but also do did Macaque. Max tapped his chin in thought.

"I could. I really could. But that would cost more, you know. Me giving you more access, more opportunities to help Cole, and needing to keep an eye on you and keep you safe. That's time and resources. We'll need to make sure that is compensated at a fair price. Let's set the groundwork. How many more times do you want to help. That will set the bar for pricing."

"Can you not press your luck? Especially when you're already doing that?"

Cole had every intention of just not leaving Macaque to it again. He was fully coherent still, though his anxiety was definitely rising again. And fast. He knew Max would probably capitalize on anything Macaque would offer to keep him safe, and he hated it as much as the risk that was already being taken.

"...Do you really not get what it would do to me to just stand by and listen to descriptions of you dying, not for the first time apparently, while not even trying to help? I'd never be able to look at MK in the eye, or myself in the mirror again."

He focuses on Max. Considering what this guy might want. The request for a kiss from a stranger was one clue, and a discussion about his role in the world is another.

"Being in a position like yours seems like it would be lonely. What if instead of sending me back, you keep me around? I'll make myself useful as a companion in whatever ways you like, with the caveat that nothing you get me to do has any direct or indirect negative effects on Cole or anyone important to him" -- so, no putting him as the first peg in a Rube-Goldberg Machine that ends in sadness -- "and if a situation arises where he can't get out of a jam, we make a new deal?"

Sure, it's somewhat open ended. But if something happens where it's an emergency, Max will have Macaque over a barrel and he'll probably give almost anything to be able to get in there and help. By the look on Macaque's face, he knows it. That's the deal.

Max listened quietly to them both. His mismatched eyes looked from Macaque to Cole and back. He could do so much with this. So much. The offer was tempting indeed. Max had a lot of room for affection, for companionship. He could see the two of them getting along quite nicely in the long run. Macaque seemed the type to care deeply but also, perhaps, enjoy being with someone a bit lackadaisical. Max was already taking advantage of something he was sure Macaque may have misunderstood.

The multiple deaths were all in the past. Already done and over with. Max had no idea what would happen in the future and if Cole would indeed die again once or any number of times. Things could play out any number of ways. He just had ideas of things that would happen. Situations he could foresee in a number of possibilities. Yet correcting that wasn't something he was going to do right now.

"That's a very tempting offer. I think the two of us could have a lot of fun together. I could play such soft sweet music for you. Listen to you sing. Get lost in the forever of a melody that we both know will come to an end but not know when. But every second you are in danger, and Cole perceives it as even partially his fault, Cole's very mind is at risk. His sanity, is satiety, his grasp on reality is at risk. And, I honestly don't enjoy keeping pets. Well, sentient ones. I have a whole herd of chinchillas. They have evolved some since the big event but really, they only got cuter. You'd like that. I had a point. Oh right. Companionship takes many forms. I'd want you as a friend. Maybe with benefits. A guest of honor. But rolling back to my other other non chinchilla related point, the longer you are in danger, even perceived danger or change of danger, and Cole blames himself in any way, you could be the source of harm you are so dedicated to stopping."

Max stepped close to Macaque now. His smile turned softer and those eyes softened with them. He looked less like some alien being and more human for a moment.

"I understand why you are doing what you are doing. I know that drive to protect the ones you love with every fiber of your being and drive. You'd pour all your power, being, and ambition into keeping them safe. Just remember, you keeping yourself safe is also important to that drive. To them. And Cole cares about you so very very much. So before we keep talking about deals and you helping, remember, you staying safe also helps him. The choice to make a deal, as always, is yours. And I'll make more deals with you, if you want. Just giving you some food for thought."

"You wouldn't take that with you forever. If something happens to you though, I live with that even once I'm gone...however I go. I'll be a ghost and still remember."

Max spoke again and Cole went quiet, picking through what he said, watching his expression, that slip of humanity and undisguised empathy...something that felt out of place on someone from his world with that much power, and he settled a bit again. That was something he'd been avoiding bringing up. Because it wasn't about that. It wasn't about him...but the fact that Max understood that simple fact that was fundamental to him went a long way toward easing some of his concerns about the strange man. Not about the danger, but about Max's intentions at the very least. So he stayed quiet.

"I would. Forever." Don't tell him what he'll haul around for the rest of time and what he won't.

There is a long pause. Longer for Cole than for Max, because for part of it Macaque is telling Max something via telepathy.

I'll see you after I help at the farm anyway, I'll make my decision then. It won't be a detriment to his sanity if he doesn't realize I'm there. I'm quite a good singer, by the way.

He sighs, and says aloud, "all right." Seemingly letting Cole win this one.

Max watched Macaque. He chuckled at the answer. Macaque was certainly a man of conviction. It was marvelous to watch. He responded with the telepathy with his own. Though it came with a melody and was like a song stuck in Macaque's head.

I look forward to it~
Our little reunion.
We'll talk and chat
and see where the day takes us~

"Very well. Then for now, the conversation of deals and dealings comes to an end. And I've said all I've came to say. Unless, Cole, you have any last minute questions for me? I did promise anything you wanted to know. And you might have some fun questions at this point. Once you're out of questions, I'll take my leave and you two can chat about all this."

Cole didn't believe for a second that Macaque was letting it drop that easily...if only because it had been harder to get him to relent on friendship status. But he wasn't in to mood to push. His head was starting to spin and the negative possibilities were nagging at him. But there was just one questions he really wanted to know.

"In the reset, was my family safe this time? Since I wasn't there."

At least Max is keeping his word. Good to know. Wouldn't have ultimately changed how Macaque did things, but it's useful information.

He doesn't say anything. He also doesn't move away from Max.

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