♥ October (Lasohm) Fourth Wall Log

[hugtopiamods]

October (Lasohm) Fourth Wall Log

❥ Speaking of Wall Breaking...

The ghosts in town sure are weird, huh? But they're settling down, as the month draws to a close. They're becoming less anxious and random, their behaviour growing sort of… focused. As time passes some of them begin to develop features. They can interact with the world more consistently. You can… hear their voice.

And then suddenly they are people, real and physical and just as confused to be here as you are. They could be anyone, from your world, someone else's world, a place you've never heard of… some of them could even be you, from a different universe, a different timeline, an unknown reality. What does all this mean?

IT'S FOURTH WALL, Y'ALL. Tell your friends, people interested in apping or just playing around in the setting, anybody! Time to break the wall down and have some fun.

This post serves as a replacement for the usual Test Drive Meme, in order to consolidate the chaos a bit. Though it is being posted now, timeline-wise, this shift will occur ONLY during the weekend prior to applications opening: October 30th to November 2nd, after which point characters will either disappear or become permanent residents via the application process. This also means that the rest of the event effects will have worn off, and characters will be their normal selves through the duration of this prompt.

Some ground rules for the 4th Wall event:

For characters/accounts not in-game:

• a character does not have to meet application qualifications to post to the 4th Wall Event, except in cases where there is an intent to apply when applications open. Duplicates, CRAU, AU, etc. are permitted for the event.
  
• we do ask that crack shenanigans are reasonably limited, game rules are followed, and that the event involve characters only, not players or real people.
  
• anyone can toplevel! It'll be a free for all. Go wild, have fun.
  
• characters will be given a temporary, low-tech communicator for the duration of the event with limited network access, due to limited availability of the real deal.
  
• you will not arrive with any items/companions beyond the clothes that you wear
  
• check out the Setting or FAQ pages for location details! Also, have a look at the October event log, to see what else is going on these days.

For characters/accounts currently in-game:

• players can decide for themselves at the event's conclusion whether or not memories of certain visitors remain, and to what extent; memories could become fuzzy, faces or communication obscured, they could disappear entirely, or they can remain fully intact whether the person apps into the game or not.
  
• network communications with 4th Wall visitors that don't (or can't) app in will be wiped, with the locals citing a data error related to the older communicators being used. Technology can be unpredictable, huh!
  
• any communication exchanges that you WANT to keep can remain with some discretion; for example, if a spouse visits and you happen to take a selfie with them, and they do not (or cannot) app but having that photo of them would give you comfort, feel free to keep it.
  
• Similar to the TDM, 4th wall threads cannot be used for AC or AC Reward purposes unless it is between characters already in-game.
  

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Click the above prompt to expand for details. Timeline-wise, this occurs October 30th to November 2nd. For players currently in-game, if you have any questions, please direct them to the FAQ or to the Mod Question thread on the original plotting post.

On this post, we've created both another Questions Thread and a Toplevel thread (see below) for visiting players, the latter so that anyone can track and see who's posted! When you've made a toplevel, feel free to comment HERE to let everyone know.

Comments

[ancestor]

I cannot deny that your soul is not nearly as dense as I would expect, even from one so young... But if you've your mind, your wits, and your convictions then you will never be lacking in what matters most.

[dimheart]

[V is silent for a moment before breaking into laughter.]

Ah, now if only you could get him to believe that it might actually mean something.

[ancestor]

Unfortunately that is something you will need to do on your own. [ She does seem earnestly sympathetic as she says this. ] Or you can simply disregard the ignorant and focus upon your own goals. In time their eyes may open, but even if they don't you'll have something to show for yourself all the same, and that is what matters most.

[dimheart]

I'm afraid time is something I don't have much of.

[The rest of that he's not even going to bother to respond to. It's a waste of energy better used to accomplish his goals.

Speaking of which...]

That said, if you don't mind, I do think I will return to my previous task. I still have a great distance to cover.

[ancestor]

You're still but a babe—you must have millennia ahead of you yet!

[ And precisely because he is no more than a babe, ill in some manner, and all on his lonesome, Hemera is giving him no choice in the matter: ]

In that case I shall accompany you, and if you should require a mode of support or transportation I will create it for you.

[dimheart]

[The laugh that follows her words is sharper and more bitter than the one that proceeded it.]

I have no name
I am but two days old.

[He pauses a moment to look back at her.]

I suppose a month and two days now, but who is keeping count? It only reminds me I have at most a day or two to go.

[One way or another, he is quite certain he won't last long enough to see a round three should Dante and Nero not be successful this time.

At least he doesn't try to stop her from following.]

[ancestor]

...What? [ What in the stars above and below? This child is barely out of the womb! ] What? That is utterly— That's absurd.

[dimheart]

[V shrugs and continues walking, though the longer they walk the more pronounced the lean on his cane becomes.]

It's also absurd to split yourself in two with a sword just because you feel one part is holding you back. Yet, here we are.

[ancestor]

[ For a moment she can do nothing but splutter in abject horror and outrage as she takes slow steps alongside him. ]

Shall I beat some sense into his idiotic mind for you?

[dimheart]

[V turns a raised eyebrow in her direction.]

Changed your tune a bit, did you?

[ancestor]

One cannot simply abandon their creations—especially ones that come from the soul. [ There is the sense of tightly contained righteous fury about her. ] You are a masterwork, little one. That you have been cast aside is a grievous offense to me.

[dimheart]

[As she speaks, V's footsteps come to a halt; the final click of his cane against the sidewalk is slower than usual, almost as if he can't believe what he is hearing. In all honesty, he can't. He's torn between being angry because this woman has only known him for a few minutes--how can she truly understand--and being confused because her emotion is genuine. There is no doubting that.

On second thought, it actually makes him feel good in a way he really can't describe. That is why, when his expression shifts, it's to a hesitant and uncertain smile. It's clear he is not used to smiling in such a way since the smile is just a little off, but it's that offness that makes it clear the expression is just as genuine as her words are.]

Thank you.

[Beyond that, V has absolutely no idea what else to say--he's still working out this whole emotions thing--so he just turns and starts to walk again.]

[ancestor]

[ At first the way he comes to a stop causes her to fear she said something to upset him, but she has no intention of abandoning him now.

This boy reminds her almost of Hades when they first met—quiet, focused, and insular to the point of seeming disdainful. It wasn't long before the dry, witty commentary could be coaxed from him, and eventually it became readily apparent that he was someone who thrived in the company of others, even if he so rarely sought it out.

Of course, Hades still is rather quiet and insular, though he now comes across as more exasperated than disdainful (largely thanks to her), and his kindhearted nature is the worst kept secret in all of Amaurot.

So when the boy smiles (tentative; unpracticed. she almost wonders if it was his first) Hemera can't help but beam back at him, warm and radiant as everything else about her. ]

So... [ She intones, almost playful. ] Does that mean you'd like me to throw hands with him for you?

[dimheart]

You may wish to throw more than just hands at him. I have it on good authority that his deflection skills are top rank.

[Mental and physical deflection at that.

At least the return to wit and pun is something V feels comfortable with. He can examine his emotions later when he is alone again. Of course, he would prefer to have his usual sounding board to bounce his ideas off--even if Griffon is an unwilling soundboard at best--but he will make due.]

[ancestor]

I've more than a few tricks up my sleeves. [ She exposes one hand with a small flourish, showing off the thin, intricate swirl of glowing gold twirling in the air around her fingertips. ] Ranged combat requires a certain amount of creativity.

[dimheart]

[For a moment, it seems as if her response will draw another smart remark from V, but then his expression grows more contemplative.]

Your powers haven't been limited?

[ancestor]

[ Hemera falters, smile fading for a brief moment before it returns with less vigor than before. ]

Oh, they certainly have. It's quite uncomfortable.

[dimheart]

And yet, you can still access some of your power.

[Is he jealous? No, of course not.]

I have several companions I travel with, and I cannot get any of them to respond to me.

[ancestor]

My power comes from my soul. The only way to rid me of it would be to render me a soulless husk.

[ There is no denying the shiver that runs down her spine at that particular thought. ]

I'm unable to teleport home, nor summon any of my comrades to this world with me, nor communicate with them. My power is largely... reduced. It's frustrating, but there's naught to be done for it but persevere.

So long as we are in this place together I'll gladly offer you what aid I can. You need only call for me and I'll be there.

[dimheart]

[V would much rather the power be his and his alone, but he's had to deal with a lot he hasn't liked since being born. This is just one more thing on the list. Why, at this point, he's almost gotten used to having to rely on the power of others.

It still leaves a bad taste in his mouth.]

So, shall I call "Me" into the air or would another name be more appropriate?

[ancestor]

I— [ May have completely forgotten about proper introductions in the face of seeking to comfort a WEE BAB. ] My apologies. I am Azem, the Traveler. What are you called, little one?

[dimheart]

Azem, The Traveler, is it? You've traveled a bit farther than usual, haven't you?

[Without waiting for an answer, V dips into a totally unnecessary bow, flaring his cane out to one side.]

My name is V.

[So, that 'little one' nonsense can stop anytime. He knows she is sincere when she says it--there is obviously an age difference between them (there is an age difference between him and anyone)--but it's still grating on his nerves.]