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

[gentleglow]

W-Well. She does it just to mess with others. That was a genuine mistake...!

[But then - a glint in Firefly's eye. It almost looks a bit mischievous.]

I know it's because he doesn't care, but... it is a little funny how easy it is for me or Silver Wolf to take his phone.

[starwill]

It's like everyone has taken his phone at least once...

[gentleglow]

Mmm, most of the time when Kafka or I use it, it's because he's left it lying around. But Silver Wolf will just take it right out of his hand when he's using it sometimes. I think she gets a kick out of the faces he makes.

[Her brows scrunch downward, mouth curling in disgust in her best imitation of a displeased Blade.]

Like this.

[starwill]

Yeah, she seems like the type.

[gentleglow]

[A nod.]

And she won't be subtle about it either. Just walk right by him and... yoink.

[starwill]

He probably doesn't even care, either...

[gentleglow]

He just kind of stares at his empty hand for a few seconds before grumbling and walking away.

[...]

It's... kind of funny, actually.

[starwill]

It must be.

[ But they're getting off track-- ]

Oh. Right. Gacha stuff. I wonder if I should get plates with a cute design...?

[gentleglow]

[Oh- right!]

Yeah, that might work...! It's like when you see a cute outfit you really want to try on... it can be irresistible. I'm sure that can help your luck.

[starwill]

I actually haven't went shopping for clothes here, yet.

[ Stelle has been default outfit-ing it up ever since she's arrived here... ]

I think there was a place nearby that had plates, though.

[gentleglow]

That's okay. I didn't really do much actual shopping in Golden Hour. I just looked around.

[No real reason to have cute clothes when you're stuck in power armor or a medical cabin often.]

Lead the way, then!

[starwill]

Onward!

[ She points towards a direction before starting to walk in the store's general direction. Eventually, they'll end up in a small store that sells a variety of things. ]

[gentleglow]

[Firefly follows close behind! It's... kind of nice, actually, this sort of reversal from their time in the dream.]

Hmmm...

[There's a lot of nice variety, especially with seasonal motifs. Warm, rusty colors for autumn, or vibrant, colorful colors for summer. It's those Firefly drifts over to first, tapping her fingers against a few options.]

Do you know what the current theme for the restaurant is? Maybe we can pick something that matches...

[starwill]

I think it was "spring blossoms"...?

[gentleglow]

Do you think this might be too cliche?

[She holds up one plate; two rings run around the edge of it, one light pink and the other light green. dotted unevenly along the rings are images of blooming cherry blossoms.]

[starwill]

I mean... a lot of gacha rituals lean a bit hard on cliches.

[gentleglow]

I see...

[This is good. Very useful. Honestly, it feels like she's learning a little more about Silver Wolf as well as Stelle with this.]

So do you want to go with this? Or... [She looks at anther set nearby - it's a similar cherry blossom theme, but included is Ellipsa's version of Sanrio characters - a bunch of adorable animals dressed in various shades of pink, some in normal clothes and some in yukata.] Oh, these are cute too...!

[starwill]

...?

[ Stelle's golden gaze shifts to where Firefly is looking at-- ]

Did you want those?

[gentleglow]

Me?

[Se looks a bit surprised at that.]

This is for you, isn't it?

[starwill]

I have enough to buy two sets.

[gentleglow]

Oh, you don't really have to...

[Even if they are cute. She can just come back once she starts making money!]

[starwill]

I want to. Consider it a housewarming gift.

[gentleglow]

If you really want to...

[It's just dishware, simple home essentials, but... Firefly looks genuinely touched at the offer.]

... Thank you, Stelle.

[starwill]

It's no problem. Oh... if you find anything else that you might want, let me know. I do owe you, after all.

[gentleglow]

Owe- oh.

[After everything that happened, she almost forgot...]

T-That's okay, really...! [Even if it was all of her savings...] After all the trouble and grief I've caused you, I think that's enough to make us even.