middleofsomewhere | So Familiar a Gleam: Start

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

JINNJAR CITY

"Welcome to Jinnjar City! A city famed as the central power of all of Diagad, and where the magic happens. It has a big history: the birthplace of the first Heroes Association that led to the creation of the Interstellar Justice Alliance, the protectors of the universe. Compared to other places, Diagad's what many people call a superheroes world, but that isn't true. A lot of us don't have the crazy powers that some of the popular folks have! And people like me? We don't care about saving the world! I'm just trying to make it through school, hang out with friends. Live my life!

People tell thousands of stories about us though, and that I can be proud of. When other planets call for help, it's us that comes running to their aid. Our heroes put their lives on the line for anyone who needs a hand, and sure, I don't count myself one of them... but I want to share their story anyway.

Well, I don't need to be telling you about this city, do I? You're a part of it! Always have been, just like me. So I should talk about some funny stuff that's been going on lately instead…”

A TL;DR notes version of days/prompts: (click to show)

EVENT BASICS: Un-apped AU characters were taken 1 week before the event from their own worlds, their minds altered to believe they were always from Jinnjar, Diagad. They have a superpower because of this and a new life either living alone or with family (other NPCs or PCs). Go to the OOC post for more info.

DAYS ONE-TWO:

Strange streams of colour in the sky have appeared, and looking at them for too long causes strange headaches. At this point you’re not sure what they’re about, but you can investigate them. However, trying to get right close to them is impossible. You will never get high enough. Regardless, let us know if characters will be investigating anything!
Voidtreckers arrive, be on the lookout. People are excited about finding these infamous criminals, and may be bothering those wearing peculiar watches, or the colours of Blue, Red, Purple, or Orange. You might be one of them: the bothered, or botheree. Many games or movie criminals are some adaptation of these Voidtreckers. A lot of people are worried they’re behind the phoenonem in the sky.
Nevertheless, people will still have their own lives to deal with, regardless of worrying events. Play around with what job your character has, if they’re in school, what work they do; if they’re drawn to a night life or just hanging around wherever they like. Characters not used to technology in-canon may find themselves having trouble with this world (despite believing they’ve always lived here).
Some of the Voidtreckers who are most resistant to illusions and mind control will be breaking out by the end of the first day. They will have to lay low and plot in secret, figure out how to make contact with others. The SCA comms do not work.
Other Voidtreckers might begin having dreams about their past by day 2-3.

DAYS THREE-FOUR:

Those who have been brought to the world begin to dream of their real and past lives, if just in very small and confusing snippets. Some of those dreams may bleed into reality, and people may start to recognise absolute strangers, but don't quite always know why. This is stronger for Voidtreckers than 4th wallers.
Random electronics seem to be glitching in odd ways, particularly the training centres, which lock people in together, even random strangers. Mostly it's harmless and more of a pain. People also swear they think they see the tops of buildings 'glitching' or colouring out. People have been speaking about pets going missing on walks, though the zoos and such are mostly fine, save for some of the higher up bird sanctuaries.
More of the Voidtreckers and some of the more resilient guests will begin realising the reality of the place they find themselves in. That this is not their own world at all.
The propaganda of the city starts to escalate, warnings about the dangerous voidtreckers and reminding people of how great the city is.

DAYS ONE & TWO: SLICES OF LIFE

"This is an emergency broadcast to everyone in Jinnjar City. At 08:00 today, a breach into the city was attempted by the invading force known as the Voidtreckers, who have tried countless times before to take over Diagad for themselves.

While it's believed the group was resisted, citizen are advised to watch out for anyone acting suspiciously in the city, and to watch out for this emblem. Please call the D-F-O-R-C-E hotline if you see anyone you suspect of being an intruder!

Remember to keep low altitudes while we deal with the phenomenon above."

[ RAINBOW SKIES. ] "Everyone's been speculating about what's been going on up above. About a week ago, these long streams of twisting colours suddenly spread through the purple skies of Diagad, rainbow colours inking the clouds. They've been growing out, like merging with the sky itself, and news broadcasts have been telling people not to worry. But what even are they? They say that looking at them for too long causes headaches, while some swear up and down they've seen things in them! I've heard a couple of friends talking about investigating them, but I dunno..."

▷ Twisting streams of colour are becoming exposed in the sky, and indeed, those who look too long high up will find themselves receiving headaches and dizziness. They’ll fade once you look away, but those who do decide to investigate by getting close will experience a tug, as if something yearns to take them somewhere. There will be patrolling Heroes - this world's equivalent of police - keeping an eye on things. Maybe your character is one of them, or posing as one. Maybe your character wants to learn more about what these are. Regardless, they won’t be able to get significantly close to the streams no matter how high they aim.

[ THE VOIDTRECKERS. ] "Gossip is HOT about these Voidtreckers. I remember seeing a movie about them once, based on something that happened years ago. They tried hacking their way into taking over a dyson sphere being built - like a giant structure around a star. There's other stories about them too, but are they really the ones behind this? Who are we even meant to be on the lookout for? I don't know... I'm kinda spooked. But do they seriously ride around in a flying train?"

▷ You've heard about the Voidtreckers, whether you remember stories about them or not. Are you bothered about them? The news broadcasts say they got rid of them - then why are they asking people to look out? And what are you supposed to look out for? On top of the emblem, there's chatter going on about watching out for people wearing strange devices on their wrists, and wearing colours of Blue, Red, Purple, and Orange.

Will you defend your city from these mysterious foes? Be smart about it, or rash? Or maybe you're interested to know more for your own deeds… whether or not they’re the Voidtreckers of tale, they may have resources for furthering your own goals.

[ LIVING YOUR LIFE. ] “But nevermind all that! Life’s about having fun and hanging out with your friends too. I work part time, but I’ve got plans after my shift’s done! Doing some shopping, going to see a movie. I can’t stress out about the funny stuff going on. And I heard the new waiter in my favourite cafe is suuuper cute!”

▷ Despite the few anomalies going on, you still have a life part of Jinnjar City. You have a job filled with devices that you’ve been surrounded by all your life, or certainly longer than a week or, so you know how to work a coffee machine, right? You know how to drive an air taxi!

And where would you take one to? To anywhere: to the gym, one of the training centres, a spa, to the movies - normal things that everyone around the city have always been around. Meet up with some friends for fruit smoothies, or watch one of the shadow displays held by the Georgi’s Gang around every street, putting on shows to mesmerise and delight the kids.

Or how about buying your groceries to take back to your apartment or house? You know what all these fruits are! Right? Right?

… … maybe it’s produce from another planet.

DAYS THREE & FOUR: JUST ANOTHER NORMAL DAY

[ DREAMS. ] “Dreams are just dreams, but a lot of people have been talking about them. Like, really being disturbed by them? Not in a creepy ohhh a monster’s coming for me! way, but like, they say they see worlds they swear they’ve been to before. Or see people? I wouldn’t really think about it except, there’s this guy… not like a super cute guy, but someone I think I knew…”

▷ Talk about dreams have been popular lately, though not everyone has them - or, not right away. Sometimes people may be at work, in school, doing nothing in particular when a name (important to their real self) appears in their mind, a flash of scenery. Coming as quickly as it goes. They don’t know what it means, if it isn’t just a symptom of the latest weird gossip influencing them.

But it sticks with you, something you can’t completely dismiss. But surely it’s nothing - right?

[ ANOMALIES. ] ”Just what we need! My friend’s dog’s gotten lost! She was taking him for a walk, and then she just says he went running ahead, and poof! Disappeared! Maybe he saw a cat? He’s always been a lazy chubby thing, but even dogs can’t help themselves, I guess…”

▷ The colours in the sky seem brighter today, closer...but it’s difficult to say for some, unless you’re actively studying them. Sometimes when you look above, you might catch - if just for a second - the tops of roofs glitching out, corners or streaks erased, colours meshing with the walls. You think it might be the light or your eyes, as it never lasts long, and even standing around waiting to see it happen again won’t give you what you want.

You may have other things to worry about than tricks of the light. Animals have simply been...disappearing, and always the ones owned, or particularly birds that fly around freely. People will ask you for help, and it’s weird they need to. Most owners have a tracker chip and app, and either apps show a blank map, or show them just standing in place...a place that when you get there, is nothing, no one.

[ TRAINING CENTRE. ]
“Really though, other than the weird sky business and how jumpy the news has made everyone about the Voidtreckers, the only odd thing that’s been up is some weird stuff happening at the training gyms. Even I saw it! I was just doing my warm-ups for the day when the field I set it to, the sky...these shapes suddenly appeared, dark and looming. It seriously creeped me out. But it’s just a glitch, right?”

▷ Young or old, the training centres around the central district are a popular spot for everyone to give their powers a safe space to be unleashed. While there’s basic simulations that’s free for everyone to use, people can be personal trainers, or even run group sessions in the bigger rooms.

Sessions aren’t always linked, since getting private training is allowed. However, lately, people keep getting jumped into other’s sessions, and can’t get out until they finish the routine. Sometimes they’re simple, where you need to destroy building block-esque cubes, or superspeed through courses twenty times. But then there’s also story modes, such as…

Castle Defence: Help protect the castle of Erna from the tricky Voidtreckers! They’re trying to storm the castle, and the world needs your power to help keep them away. Difficulty is based on the amount of people present, and speed of the individual. Do you turn things green? Then turning a Voidtrecker green will make them pop! Good job!

Kama Aid: Floating spheres have been lured inside a giant 3-tiered labyrinth ball. You must help the spheres - come in optional people-shaped or even cute animals - be released back outside where the air is fresh. Use telekinesis to tilt the tiers like a ball tilting game, or use super-strength to destroy the different tiers!

Dia Mysteries: A theft, vandalism, maybe even a murder. The crime scene is locked down, and something is afoot. Use your telepathy to gain information from the suspects, sneak into a secure area under invisibility... the solution is yours to find in this investigative simulation.

[ A PSA or Six. ] ”Stay vigilant citizens of Diagad. Please report any suspicious behavior to the DFORCE force.”

Announcements blare from speakers on public transport. Adverts pop up as they scroll through Diagnet. All remind citizens to be on their guard, report strange or disturbing behaviour and keep a look out for any of the symbols or colours of the Voidtreckers.

"Heroes don't keep secrets! If you have suspicions about any dangerous people in our midst, let your local DFORCE force know. Speak the Truth. Save the World."

▷ Billboards are plastered with bold posters reminding citizens to keep an eye out for the Voidtreckers or anyone who they might have tried to sway to their side. For those beginning to glimpse that this city might not be what they once had thought, this could be dangerous especially if their families and friends believe the city truly is under threat.

credits: text box - city banner - city side - coloured sky by benjamin0000

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ >Route A ]

Roland watches the news against the overhead screen hanging across one of Diagad's well-known skyscrapers with a sense of unease. He tries not to let it get to him. Talk of terrorists integrating into society shouldn't quite bother him so much, right? He disagrees with the tactic anyhow - why give the bad guys the screen time? But his thoughts don't linger here, duffel bag full and heavy against his shoulder as he rushes towards the nearest terminal. Not quite late, not quite early, a young man in his twenties clad in Jinnjar University attire just trying to make his way to campus.

The sky overhead is more curious than the news, and perhaps you might find yourself bumping into him along the busy street after Roland stops to stare at the colors...but otherwise, his commute is relatively easy. Before he even knows it, Roland's by his locker already, making small talk with those nearby. "Can't believe they're pushing finals early just because of all the rumors. It's crazy. It's like they're not listening to the students at all. Anyway, are you done with that presentation? I've got a quick sec, if you need a sounding board."

Are you someone in the university too? A teacher perhaps, or a fellow undergrad for Public Administration with a minor in History? Regardless of your role, Roland is a highly visible figure. As soon as the morning rolls in, he can be found putting up flyers by the Commons corkboard - slots have opened for his limited tutorial services outside school. When you attend class with him, the professor announces a groupwork and Roland's the T.A. helping you out. Then at lunch, he's at the Cafeteria looking for a place to sit. Might you join him before long, and you're forced to sit somewhere other than the line of tables and chairs?

Then again, there's more of Roland to be had in the afternoon. He's a senior now, so he has more freedom to roam; the library is a popular choice, typing up by the computers and chatting up a storm with the librarians about how to get a foot in the door at the congress for his internship. Before leaving, you may chance upon him practicing his form at the gym, or wondering if the training grounds is better for fencing...

[ >Route B ]

His tutorial schedule fills up rather quickly, and it's no wonder Roland's already running out of school the moment 5PM hits. His friends, a circle of them with familiar faces, reprimand him jokingly.

"Hey, after I get paid, one round on me. Deal? Heh." We're holding you to that, Mr. Class Pres!

The sky pulls his eyes upwards, forcing him to squint. No, no time to entertain such things. Roland's a busy bee - has to be one, has to get into the right place after university - so he attends to the people who signed up for tutorial sessions after class. Some are his age, some are younger. Regardless, you will find yourself opening your apartment door with Roland waiting outside dutifully, a smile on his face and a book bag slung over one arm. "All right. Let's get to that arithmetic homework of yours. Don't worry, it'll be easy."

All the while the television in your living room blares in the background, perhaps too loud for either of your liking. Another notice has been issued by the local government regarding the use of the terrorist group 'VOIDTRECKER' on popular media. Sources say-

[ >Route C ]

"Iced grande triple-upside down caramel macchiato with three pumps of extra hazelnut, for (Y/N)?"

That's your name, but it's not your order. Not quite. It's too extensive, too wild, but Roland's gotta do his job even if it's part-time. This café is well-known around the office area, more big-wigs and guys in suits for it to be a student watering hole. Yet the pay is good and the hours are flexible. Plus, Roland's great with names and faces. So when you come up to clarify - or maybe this is your new order - be ready to greet him with a dashing little smile of your own.

"Aha, no wonder I was confused. You experimenting?" He laughs. "Anyway, if I got this wrong then it's on the house. I do remember you."

Take that banter for what it is. Or tug at his sleeve while he busses table for you to use. "Welcome back to The Third Place. Just warming up your usual spot, heh."

[ >Route D ]

Afterhours is an interesting, eclectic mix of energy. The usual grounds are filled with more people than Roland cares to remember or admit, though he doesn't stop to question it. With a cold beer in hand and surrounded by friends (yeah, these are his people!), Roland finally has a chance to just talk and be himself outside of school and work. Though he's distracted some by the rumor mill floating about, how people taking pictures of the sky soon end up getting migraines; how the heroes are patrolling even this part of town.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Roland says casually, leaning one elbow against the railing with half his attention on the incoming group of fellow seniors. Some he waves to, some he doesn't know but is introduced to with a firm handshake, friend-circles aligning in between. "Good to meet you. Roland." The music is nice and the student body is here to have fun...though you can't avoid the rallying talk about Jinnjar's hottest gossip.

Then when all is said and done, Roland opts to leave earlier than most. The night may be young, and perhaps there's a chance to convince him to stay a bit longer, the inevitable remains. He'll be taking the first hovercab back home in preparation for a webshow at midnight. Are you watching DiagNet closely? Are you already a frequent watcher; a subscriber? Roland appears on your screen if you're on his channel, waving once, sat by a plush leather chair.

"Welcome to this night's episode of The Executive View from the Ground Up, where we talk about Diagad's prominent social figures, public forums, and everything else in between. I'm Roland Crane, and tonight it's all about them, for better or for worse." The words feel heavy on his tongue. Must be the buzz getting to him at last, giving them a platform..."The so-called Voidtreckers. Myths? Villains of the universe? Legends? The livestream's comment section is open, and I'll be reading out your entries. Let's get into it."

[ The Chatroom is Open. Please avoid cussing and obscene language. Anonymous Commenting is OFF. ] |

(OOC: Open to Wildcards. Go wild with each prompt, can follow your lead. For Route D, the chatroom tags are meant to look like the usual text me memes on DW, or like instant messaging apps with usernames assigned to your phone. As for timeline - each prompt is meant to cover the entire Start log, so this is his routine bleeding into his awakening from the illusion at the tail-end of day four.

Happy 2nd anniversary, VT! <3 Let's have fun!!)

Edited 2021-07-07 07:32 (UTC)

[Hey wait is that Roland-

No, Masumi can’t be up front. She has to keep her head down, avoid being caught out. But this might be a good chance to get info, so she carefully types up a response and waits.]

ClosingCases: The Voidtreckers must be pretty bold, trying to invade a city where everyone has powers. What do you think they want with our city specifically?

[ Roland's eye darts from the camera to the chat pop-up visibly through the livestream. It's a balancing act that he seems to know quite well. ]

Here's our first batch of comments from the chat. Keep them coming, guys. ClosingCases writes-

[ RoloAdmin is typing... while reading out Masumi's reply out loud. ]

RoloAdmin: Thanks for the response, ClosingCases! That's definitely one way to put it. They're probably looking to mine Diagad of either our citizens or our resources. We're way too big to ignore if they're that infamous, though they're doing a poor job at being discreet. |

Edited 2021-07-09 07:27 (UTC)

[Now what? She'd love to try and nudge Roland towards breaking out of the illusion, but doing it while he's livestreaming would be incredibly risky. If she wants to try, then she'll have to be very careful about it.]

ClosingCases: I'd say. The whole city is on alert now. But possibly taking our citizens and/or resources for some purpose, that's quite the goal if true. I sure wouldn't want to be taken...

[Ironic, given how the Voidtreckers were 'recruited' in the first place...}

[ He reads out a couple more responses from the livestream - some were requests for shoutouts, others were unrelated to the topic completely. But this was par the course. Roland simply blacklists the spammers...until ClosingCases comes up relevant once more.

At least somebody else was interested in tonight's topic. So he does what's natural and Pins her message from his end of the chatbox, visible only to his keen eye. One more greeting should do it, before he returns to this mystery person's comment. ]

-and if heroes are on double the patrol, I don't see why legislation has to ignore other aspects of Jinnjar's infrastructure when they've got the means to do it. On that note, ClosingCases is here again with the following retort. [ He reads Masumi's comment out loud, while typing at the same time. ]

...'I sure wouldn't want to be taken.' Hm. Good point of view you've got there, ClosingCases. [ Roland presses Enter. That incites a sliver of interest, but that's natural, isn't it? To not want to be kidnapped, forced to do something against your will - ]

RoloAdmin: You & me both. But I'm falling short on any other motivation to come here apart from taking the best thing Diagad's got: the numbers. The billions of people who live here, most of which were born with powers. Any other thoughts on what these so-called universal villains might be interested in, @ _ ClosingCases _ ?

[ Something is nagging at him to pick their brain, whoever they were at the other end of the DiagNet conversation. It's enough to distract Roland long enough to shake his head back to focus. He resumes reading other comments out loud and conversing with them while waiting for ClosingCases to respond, keeping one eye on the pinned user up top. ]

Edited 2021-07-10 16:02 (UTC)

Roland Crane (Purple) | OTA | ❝my head's in the clouds, thinking you should join me.❞

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route a ALSO TIDUS IS HOPPING IN ON THIS ONE

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( wildcard; closed to elidibus )

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