♥ 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

ARRIVAL

[kingkingcxiii]

Regis is having a hard time deciding which is more unsettling: the days before this unexpected influx of visitors when the ghosts were still undefined mists or the fact that those undefined mists suddenly became their unexpected guests.

Of course, perhaps making a choice is really unneeded. There is obviously something big amiss, but until the natives or their deities tell them more about what has happened, the best they can do is help those who have so suddenly arrived here.

"Is there something wrong, dear lady?"

And that is just what Regis plans on doing.

[ancestor]

"Ah— Hello!" Hemera spins around, momentarily caught off guard, but is quick to regain her wits. For all that her face is hidden, it's evident in all other ways that she's smiling. "Be careful not to repeat that sentiment where adults can hear it, little one."

She already has enough of a reputation as it is. No need to give the Convocation even more to frown at her about.

"But I seem to have misplaced a concept I've, um, borrowed." Somehow the way she says 'borrowed' can be understood as a jumbled mess that is 'stole-legitimately acquired-technically borrowed'.

"It would be larger than the ones you're familiar with—" With her hands she gives a vague indication of the size, which is almost the width of her outstretched arms. "—and aspected to fire. Lahabrea will have my head if I've lost her, which would be most unfortunate as I quite like my head."

She does well with easing the seriousness of the situation with lighthearted intention colouring her words. Children are far from unintelligent, but in seeking this young one's assistance she needn't make him feel unnecessary concern.

[kingkingcxiii]

There is a familiarity to how she speaks that catches Regis off guard for a moment. After that moment has passed, though, he brushes it off, still focused on helping her despite the warning.

"I'm not sure who would have an ill opinion of one helping another here. It's actually quite encouraged."

For all their oddness, the natives are a kind sort.

"Though, I'm afraid you will have to give me more to go on than it is a 'concept' aligned with fire. If I am understanding you use of 'concept' right, there are a lot of things in this city that could fit that description."

[ancestor]

"Oh— No, I had meant—"

She had meant her 'inappropriate' sentiment; the intent and feeling behind her utterance that briefly fouled her language. But if the boy doesn't understand what she was referring to there's little for it, and she did her due diligence in being a 'responsible role model'.

"A concept is a concept. Surely you must have been taught about them by now? Or perhaps... you've fallen behind in studies? I cannot blame you if you have—the lectures are oft as monotonous as the council meetings... Which admittedly are oft lectures as well." Her tone shifts to mimic her elder Convocation members. "'Azem, you cannot keep a peiste in your chambers. Azem, you cannot turn the eruption into a fire spirit and punch it in the face.'"

The rolling of her eyes is almost audible for how dramatic it is.

"So long as I find Ifrita's concept I can stop that eruption. If you see it please call for me on this communicator, all right? You will know what it is should you stumble across it!"

[kingkingcxiii]

"Right," Regis tries to sound confident, but honestly he's struggling to follow her. His idea of what a 'concept' is, is similar to hers, but it is apparently also different enough that he has very little clue what she is talking about. In the end, though, he realizes there might be a bigger thing they need to worry about first.

"My dear, you do realize you are no longer on your own world, correct? It is possible this concept you are looking for simply remind behind when you were brought here. It happens from time to time. The gods are still recovering their strength and occasionally make mistakes."

[ancestor]

"Ah— Well. Yes, of course," she answers, tilting her head inquisitively. "I knew the moment I arrived. This world is quite loud for being so deathly ill. It's impressive!"

Hemera pauses, pondering how to best explain her current predicament. After a moment she places her gloved hands together, weaving together a concept to show to him. It takes a few minutes, but soon enough she has a miniature fire crystal, with the concept of a Carbuncle etched within it, and filled with more than enough of her aether for him to summon one as many times as he'd like. She holds it out for him to take.

"You haven't the creative potential to make the concept on your own, but I've filled it with all that you need to summon yourself a little friend." she details. "You've magic enough to activate the concept whenever you wish to—you need only push the faintest bit of aether in and it will set things in motion."

[kingkingcxiii]

At first, Regis isn't sure what to say. He just watches her with wide, curious eyes. Before, he had brushed off that feeling of familiarity, but now he cannot. The Carbuncle that she has etched into the crystal is strikingly similar to the one Era has. Is it somehow possible they are from the same world? After all, she is hardly the only one from her world to arrive here.

He takes the crystal from her carefully, admiring it. It is a beautiful thing that thrums with power and he can hardly believe she is offering it to him when they have only spoken for a few moments.

"You are most generous. This will help me on my search immensely. Forgive my asking, but you don't happen to know a young lady by the name of Era, do you?"

[ancestor]

"It is a concept I created for children. For it to fulfill its purpose is a gift to me... And that it might be able to sense Ifrita's concept doesn't hurt, either." Her tone warm and friendly in a way that makes it easy to tell she has a smile on her face.

She falters at his question, entirely caught off guard by it. By now most have forgotten her name, and even then only two people have ever shortened her name in such a way.

"You never need apologize for being inquisitive, little one," she assures him. "But...where did you hear of that name?"

[kingkingcxiii]

Her explanation draws a nod from Regis. He has not been a child for some time, but he also has no idea this woman's age or experience. Both things can greatly change a person's point of view.

Besides, he is much more interested in her reaction to his question at the moment.

"There is a young lady here who is of great importance on her world. She is someone I consider family. She also possesses a familiar much like this one," he gestures to the crystal. "I can't help but wonder if you may know of her or at least be from the same world."

[ancestor]

"I... suppose you both must be of a different world." She doesn't sound entirely sure of her conclusion, but it's also the only thing that seems to fit. "I am the only 'Era' of any renown in my own, though scant few know me by that name. That your Era has my concept is— It's admittedly very odd. Hyth would have told me if she requested it from the Bureau."

[kingkingcxiii]

"Her world does seem to have connections to many others, so perhaps that is the case," Regis doesn't sound completely convinced either, especially considering how doubtful she sounds. Of course, there is one other thing that might be at play here.

"If not that, then maybe some time shenanigans are going on. I know that people can be drawn from the same world, but from vastly different times during that world's history. Perhaps that is why she has a copy of your concept. It may be it survived in some form through the ages."

[ancestor]

Somehow 'time shenanigans' seem to be the most plausible of explanations. "I suppose that is sensible," she offers. "Time and space are intertwined, after all. If 'Era' is from my future it would be possible she was named after me, though I can't imagine why anyone would."

Speaking of which...

"I am hardly the one to comment, but where are your mask and robes? If an elder comes along you'd best prepare for the most judgemental of frowns and inquiries."

[kingkingcxiii]

Her explanation is a likely one, so it is not the reason Regis raises an eyebrow at her, "Robes and mask?"

Man, she sounds like Clarus reminding him to get dressed for a council meeting.

Regis raises his free hand and with a soft chiming of crystals, he pulls his crown from the Armiger so that she can see it.

"I'm afraid the closest I have is my crown. The raiment I arrived in has seen better days."

[ancestor]

"Ah— Have you no communal robes?"

The sound catches both her interest and her curiosity, and she watches as the young one pulls out a crown. It's a pretty little trinket. Not something she'd ever see flaunted in the capitol or its sister-cities.

"That is— That's odd. A trinket, but no mask? In a city?"

[kingkingcxiii]

"Why would I need to wear a mask in a city, this one especially? There is no need to hide who we are from anyone here," Regis slides his crown behind his ear in a practiced motion. It's been a while since he wore it and he does have it out. Besides, the familiar weight is something of a comfort in the face of all her odd questions.

"Are you suppose to hide your identity from everyone where you are from?"

[ancestor]

"It's not... It's not meant to be hiding," she defends, even if she's never agreed with the practice. "We wear our masks and our robes to foster our sense of community and equality. It is the way things have always been. To flaunt your individuality is looked upon poorly for myriad reasons."

One of her hands reaches inside of her hood, reflexively checking to make sure none of her hair has come loose. While it is no longer the vibrant copper it was in her childhood, it still stands out amidst the pale shades more commonly seen amongst her people. She goes through the motions of tucking a strand of hair behind her ear despite it being unnecessary—a habit gained from one too many stern frowns as a child.

She tugs down the filtering fabric from the lower half of her face, drawing a small breath of relief to be rid of it. With no imminent threat of volcanic ash, there's little need of it.

"In Amaurot, revealing one's face to another is a gesture of trust and understanding. It's something shared between family and friends."

And for a very, very long time the only person who knew her face was herself.

[kingkingcxiii]

"I can understand why some may see individuality as a threat, but most who hold that view where I am from are those who wish to easily control others. If everyone is the same, then no one acts out because it would make them different," Regis frowns, unable to stop himself from thinking about some of the stories that have come out of Niflheim.

"By acknowledging what makes each person different we celebrate their strengths. I will admit it does not always go smoothly, but humans are not perfect. We can only do our best."

When Regis opens his mouth again, it is to thank her for showing such trust in him. That thank you gets stuck in his throat, though, when he sees what she looks like. After a short time, he finally manages to whisper a short sentence.

"You look so much like her..."