So Familiar a Gleam: Start

[voidtreckermods]

---

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

Comments

Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[modelcatizen]

Day 1: Voidtreckers
Adrien isn't sure what he thinks of these Voidtreckers. He's ultimately an optimist and he hasn't actually seen any harm these guys have done. What if it was all a misunderstanding? Ultimately, he's curious. So he keeps an eye out, but doesn't seek them out.

Plagg, his black cat, has other ideas and may be more eager to sate his curiosity. So if he spots any signs of them, someone may find a black cat on their tail.

Day 2: Living Life
Adrien has work, between school and homework and time spent with his brother. Those more fashionable may recognize his face, and know what's happening in the park today. Especially when he keeps going through wardrobe changes.

Its a photoshoot. But there are times where Adrien gets to sit to the side and rest, a perfect time to talk to him if so desired. Or maybe kidnap him away from the photo shoot if you're chaotic enough.

Day 3: Dreams
He's been experiencing odd dreams. Its making it hard to sleep and his make up is on especially thick today to hide the bags under his eyes. He does his best to go about his day.

Not made easy by Plagg.

"I'm so sorry. I don't know why he's like this, that should cover it," Adrien said to the shop owner whom Plagg had stolen cheese from.

Adrien looked at Plagg with an annoyed look. "No, that wasn't for you, and you know it. I know you're smarter then that," he said with a sigh. "I don't CARE if it was camembert."

Day 4: Anomalies
Adrien keeps having to do a double take. Things look...off. So many things look off and he can never place why. Even when he looks again, things look fine and almost seem less wrong now.

It doesn't make sense.

Sometimes, Plagg, the cat always at his side, disappears. For others.

Sometimes, he thinks the cat is in his clothes.

But no, surely Plagg is just always at his side?

He finds himself stopping in front of a clothing store, staring at a leather jacket with a deep frown.

Day 2

[djbubbles]

Nino has been dating Adrien for a while, but it's not easy. Having a super model boyfriend can be tough at times. Especially dealing with the crazy fans and the press. And that's not even on top of the fact they are both guys so they have that on their shoulders as well.

But Nino loves him, so he deals with it as best he can.

He had been watching the photoshoots from a distance and now that it seems he's on a break, he can go talk with him.

So he goes over to him, carrying Wayzz in his bag. "Hey dude. Taking a break?"

Re: Day 2

[modelcatizen]

Adrien looks up from his drink and he feels a smile spread across his face. Photoshoots are never exciting things anymore, especially when he's alone.

Having a friend helps a lot.

Having his boyfriend is even better.

He does look around, checking for any cameras that weren't for his company, before reaching out to grab Nino's hand, tugging him to sit down. "Yeah. Need to wait fifteen for the sun to be in the perfect spot or something like that."

[djbubbles]

Nino smiles and sits down next to Adrien.

"Geez, seriously? Photoshop exists for a reason." Though to be fair, he kinda gets it. Creative minds and all that.

As tempting as sneaking in a kiss would be, they are in an open area.

[modelcatizen]

Adrien snorted. "And compromise artistic integrity? Never," Adrien said with a dismissive wave. "If it can't be covered by make up, then it won't appear in any of my spreads. Which...well, I guess I appreciate my diet plan is at least worth it."

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[souls_of_roles]

Day 2 It was impossible to miss the shockingly pink uniform she wore as a messenger. It was burn your eyes out pink, a curse that once you saw it you could never forget it. And the girl wearing it? That transfer student who fled from him like he was an axe murderer whenever he had tried to talk to her in school.

She was holding a message tube, while he was on break and hadn't seemed to have noticed him yet. The tube seemed forgotten in her hand as she stood astride her bike, one foot on the ground, the other on the peddles as she stared at... the cameras. Like they confused her. Or like she thought they should be... something else.

The adults were going over things and busy, leaving no one to take the package from her. No one... except Adrien.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[modelcatizen]

The pink is extremely hard to miss. In part, because he liked pink. And he recognized the girl and...

Well, he didn't blame her.

Honestly, a girl in pink running from him felt like an expected thing. For some reason.

Now, the crew was still setting up. And there was yelling about pasta, which meant any hope of getting their attention before things were perfect was highly unlikely.

So he stood up, walking over. "Hey Kyoko!"

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[souls_of_roles]

She yelped and the thing she was holding went flying out of her hands as she started, having not noticed him. She then stared at her empty hands, and panicked. She stared up at the tube, now stuck in the tree. "I'LL GO GET IT!" she shouted too loud. And then realized that he was between her and the tree trunk. Could she jump it? She was clearly considering it, even though it was almost certainly too high for either of them to get by jumping.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[modelcatizen]

Adrien just kept on smiling politely, pretending she didn't just freak out. That would only make it worse. "We could see if I could convince my cat too. You might slip," he said.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[death_from_above]

Day 3

Gar wasn't sure why but he had been a little extra... clingy... with his brother the last few days. Not just Adrien, though. Being twins, Adrien probably would have been aware that he was also looking for excuses to spend more time with Nino also. And provoking their father. Which was Gar's way of clinging to the man, really. Neither of them - Gar or Gabriel - were good at being affectionate. At least not with each other.

Gar was plenty affectionate with his brother, however. Which is why around four AM he'd be poking Adrien awake. "You're having a nightmare, shove over," he said, clearly intending to join his brother like when they were little kids. He glared at Plagg. "Bite me, I'll bite you back," he added.

It... probably wasn't just Adrien having a nightmare that night. Not that Gar was likely to admit to it at 4 in the morning.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[modelcatizen]

Yellow dust, grab his wrist, yellow dust, grab his wrist, yellow dust, grab his wrist-

Adrien jerks away as he's poked, jerking up, and looking over, eyes wide with panic.

Until he sees who it is.

He lets out a sigh of relief, and immediately moves over. There's a 'mraow' of protest from Plagg. "Shush. Just because you two can't agree between fish and cheese is no reason to be rude," Adrien said, almost like he's used to the argument.

Especially when Adrien didn't want to be away from Gar lately. He doesn't even know why. Maybe it was because he was fighting more with their father. A recent development. Maybe that was the dream, just stress. Maybe Gar noticed it. It might be why he's clingy to everyone. Gar was terrible at talking about his problems, so affection seemed his way to go.

Either way, he curls up next to Gar, Plagg moving to curl at his back.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[death_from_above]

He curled with his brother and even absently gave the cat a pet. "Need to talk it out, bro?" he asked, quietly.

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

[modelcatizen]

There is a very long pause at the question.

One part of Adrien says no. No, he's fine. He doesn't need to talk. Of course he doesn't need to talk.

Another part says he should. He knows. He's learned.

"I dreamt you were a cat." So the middle ground for the funny part.

1: voidtreckers

[blitzcheer]

How does a cat know one is a Voidtrecker? Is it a feeling, a sixth sense? Random interrogating, which means spotting someone and deciding they're trouble? The latter is probably what's happening here, where regardless, Tidus - just a guy dressed as an everyday citizen, wearing a blue shirt, black jacket and jeans - finds himself with a cat at his feet.

"Heyhey hey! C'mon, shoo! I'm trying to walk!"

Please help.

Re: 1: voidtreckers

[modelcatizen]

Doubt not the ability for this cat to see in your soul, he is clearly an ancient being.

Or just a black cat.

Or both.

Either way, Plagg is seemingly intent to move in front of this guy, trying to get a smell off him.

"Plagg! Plagg, get back here!" And there's his owner, hurrying in his approach when he sees the cat.

[blitzcheer]

Please don't dob him into his ancestors, cat!! Please don't curse him!

"Youuur cat is real friendly," Tidus says with some Doubt; he's not exactly an animal person, but is this cat giving him the stink eye? He thinks he's getting the stink eye here. And the way it's right in front of him too..!!

He's keeping still, helpless - made helpless by a cat!!

[modelcatizen]

"He's really not, I don't know what's gotten into him," Adrien said, moving to scoop up Plagg.

Except darkness bubbles up around the cat's feet, and the sidewalk suddenly cracks under their feet. More specifically at Adrien, causing him to trip over a sudden raised bit of pavement and hitting the ground as Plagg darts behind Tidus.

"For crying out-Plagg, get back here and leave him alone! No more destruction of property!" Adrien snapped, raised up on an elbow. "A blue shirt doesn't mean anything!"

Day 4

[10billionpercent]

Atelier Ishigami is technically a clothing store, and a store that sells paintings.

The artist in question who made the jacket can be seen through the window, sketching out a new design.

He glanced up every once in awhile. Restless, perhaps. He was wearing, notably, an orange watch.

Re: Day 4

[modelcatizen]

Adrien was staring at the jacket for some time, cat at his side.

....then suddenly, the cat was IN the store when no one's eyes were on him. Who can say how that happened.

Either way, said artist might be hearing a squawk through the window before Adrien is hurrying inside. "Plagg, no, this store might not allow pets-"

[10billionpercent]

He leaned backwards at the admonishment to the cat and tilted his head slightly.

"As long as you don't damage any of the clothes, it's alright." Senku decided after a moment, looking at the cat.

"Anything I can help you with?"

[modelcatizen]

"Yeah, there is also that, which is why he's supposed to stay with me," Adrien said, scooping up Plagg who meows in protest. "Yeah, and it took me three months of work to pay off that countertop. The only reason I don't leave you home is to make sure there's a home to get back too."

The cat seems to meowingly grumble at that.

Adrien sighed, rubbing at his temple. "I think I'm interested in that jacket in the window?"

Voidtrekkers

[consider8]

Mimi doesn't really remember that she's a Voidtrekker, but to someone as astute as Plagg, she would stand out like a sore thumb. Or perhaps its the fact that her hair is literally octopus tentacles and maybe Plagg is hungry. Or both.

Either way, the girl looks down at the black cat with puzzled bemusement. Back home, Caleb and Essek had a veritable horde of cats, and so she's used to this treatment.

She stifles a smile and leans over, grabbing one of her hair tentacles and wiggling it for Plagg to reach for.

Was she busy? Yes, she had loads of stuff she needed to do today. Was playing with a stray cat more important? Oh heck yes.

Re: Voidtrekkers

[modelcatizen]

Plagg is always hungry. Luckily for Mimi, he has no taste for fish. Especially alive fish. Its cheese all the way, or at least something with some kind of decay.

Or a baked good.

If he was truly desperate.

But no, Plagg needed to find SOME way to wake up Adrien because HE was sick and tired of this metered out amount of cheese. Also his user is brainwashed and that's bad.

The tentacles were odd. Clearly she's an outsider. So he'll bat at her tentacle and see if he can see anything he can use for a break.

Re: Voidtrekkers

[consider8]

Unfortunately for Plagg, Mimi was fallen into the illusion so hard that she was using her real name and not bothered by it. She was going to be in for a rude awakening and will probably have a lot of explaining to do.

Instead, she will respond to the interest by lowering her hand in a soft fist for Plagg to sniff. She had learned that this is a good maneuver to let him get her smell and to decide what he wants to do.

...the staring wasn't helping, but she couldn't help herself.

Re: Voidtrekkers

[modelcatizen]

Plagg sniffs her hand briefly.

And then he climbs up her arm and moves up to her shoulder in one fluid motion, surprisingly light, and claws not even digging in.

Plagg was far more aware then most and he isn't bothered by staring.