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

Day 1: Rainbow Skies
He may be more security based then superheroics as a 'patrolling hero,' but Wash takes his job very seriously. Strange colors in the sky gets attention and people are drawn to it and of course some will try to approach.

He's pretty sure no one CAN reach them, even flyers have to breathe, but people going up high is still incredibly dangerous. So he's going around with a hoverbike, looking for anyone trying to get close and make sure they're not doing anything dangerous or stupid.

Day 1+2: Voidtreckers
He does seem an eye out for them while looking for people approaching the sky, but on day 2, he's on the ground, just going along his patrol. He keeps an eye out for the symbol, for the colors.

Woe to anyone he spots.

He's hard to lose once he's got you in his sights.

Day 1+2: Living Your Life
Wash has a strict schedule. If there is no active keeping of the peace, protecting a life, stopping a robbery, the like, he checks out right on time. Its a rule he holds himself too, because SOMEONE has to be there for his sister, and workaholic parent isn't gonna do it.

So he does. When he's checked out, he's homemaker. He does errands, he picks up dinner, he does the everyday things that need to be done, both in town, or at home.

He might interfere if someone is about to be hurt in front of him, but otherwise, crime isn't his concern anymore.

Day 3+4: Dreams
He's never slept the best. After Secret Shady Job, he sleeps even worse. Dreams, usually. He's used to it. He thinks he's used to it. Except his dreams usually have a sense to them. They're memory fragments, he knows it. Because he's always had a good memory and that's how his head decompresses.

The dreams are different now.

He'll stop at flashes of certain colors, mostly reds and blues, but at times a cream or a green or a pink. Stare too long at cats.

Trace lines along his arm.

But he moves on before its too bad.

Day 3+4: Anomalies
He doesn't stop to stare at the anomalies. There's no need. He knows what he saw. He knows what he saw. He doesn't need to look again and that is what scares him.

He knows something is wrong. He doesn't know what. But he also knows advertising that isn't safe. He's sure of it.

He starts to catch at his neck, like a tick. And people might notice its own anomaly, where a neck that is fairly clear is suddenly covered in scars, and what looks like a computer port....only to disappear again.

Day 3+4: Training
On Wash's days off, he makes it a habit to head to the gym as a part time trainer. He's very adapt at helping people with any sort of challenge.

Of course, working with Wash is not for the feint of heart. He's extremely adept at figuring out what level a person is at...and pushing them just a little bit farther.

He's the trainer from hell, but there are definitely Results.

And personally, he finds it easier to focus on people over his slowly fraying sanity.

There was nothing too remarkable about Senku. He looked like an artist, which was his cover, his hair up in a poinytail, colourful t-shirt and jeans with paint.

The only think that could be remarkable was an orange watch.

Senku was in the process of locking up his shop, Atelier Ishigami, not paying any mind to any patrols, not at the moment. Aside from that he was wearing some other jewelry, an amulet, a different necklace with a charm and a bracelet on one wrist.

Was he just ecclectic?

Jewelry is something to watch.

He can't even say why, but jewelry that looks strange should be given at least a partial thought. Which was almost funny, considering he wears a pendant that doesn't match with anything else about himself. Maybe it was a weird one off lesson.

But that is a lot of jewelry.

And that is an orange watch.

So Wash approaches. "How are things this evening?" He asked.

"Not bad, just closing up the shop. Sorry if you wanted to come in, but you know how it is." Senku responded, turning the key and pocketing it.

"My husband's going to be annoyed if I don't come home for dinner."

"Nah, I think I'm good. Most artisty places never make anything that fits me anyway," he said with a shrug. He is a brickhouse of a man.

"That would be a shame. Mind if I ask his name?"

"Well if you come during business hours, I wouldn't have a problem making something for you custom ordered." Senku said with a bit of a smile.

"His name is Gen." He responded easily. "Why?"

"I'll have to think about it," he said.

"I'm just wondering if he doesn't pay attention to the news as much as you don't," he said.

"He's usually on top of these things." Senku hummed a bit, resting his hands on his hips in an idle way, as opposed to a manner that suggested aggression or displeasure.

"You're talking about the debacle with the Voidtreckers?" He wasn't unaware of course.

"I am," he said and looked pointedly at his watch. "Most people are trying to avoid those colors right now. Inconvenient as it is. Never realized how much blue stuff I had until it became a problem color," he said.

"Specific reason you're not?"

"I'm an artist." Senku quipped. "If you ask me to give up half the colours on the spectrum, what am I supposed to express myself with?"

"Paint isn't the problem as clothing items. It makes it harder to keep you safe," Wash said, looking at the building. "Do you know this store?"

Senku tilted his head at the name of the shop, Atelier Ishigami.

"I would be Senku Ishigami." He said, by way of introducing himself. "It's my store. I paint and design clothing. You can imagine what a blow to my income it would be if I have to get rid of a significant number of fabrics over some wild rumours?" He raised an eyebrow like this was a ridiculous conversation to be having in the first place.

"Wouldn't have to get rid of it, just put it in the back a bit," he said, looking up at the store. "And the shop has been around a while? People would recognize you?"

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There is a figure dressed in a blue coat and a blue hat, darting through the crowd and looking very suspicious.

And very small as Wash would see as he got closer, the blue clothing belonged to a child who was otherwise in the uniform of one of the local schools.

He seems to know he's been followed and turns around to look around the crowd with slightly worried eyes.

Size does not mean innocence. Some people are short! And he has a job to do.

And.

Kid.

....so the important question is, did he act suspicious to draw Wash's attention, or was it after the following?

Romeo's a bit scared, he has spotted the man and he doesn't know who he is. But he's heard a lot of scary stories these last few days about the voidtreckers and how they want to come and wreck everything.

So to have a stranger following him is very worrying to say the least!

Ah.

He's probably spooked the kid and.

Yeah, there's no way to fix that, that doesn't freak out the kid more.

And it doesn't matter if the kid is a Voidtrecker or not, Wash has his own moral views and they don't involve terrifying kids.

"Hey kid!" He calls after him. "You should head home, your mom is probably worried about you."

So hopefully the kid GOES home instead of running off, but Wash is going to stop his pursuit.

He looked around with wide eyes when the voice shouted out to him. He nodded. "I'm going sir! I'm trying to get to my brothers house!"

Since his dad was out, he didn't want to be alone.

That gives him pause.

"Hold up," he said, turning around and he'll approach now. "Do you need help finding it?"

"Um." He looked around. "I think... It's..."

He thought he had known where he was, but in his worry about being followed...

"He lives near the park..."

"Well....that narrows it down a bit," he said, kneeling down to be more on his level. "How do you usually get there?"

On close inspection this man doesn't seem so scary at all. "I usually walk unless I take the bus... But I was just walking today because the sky is pretty scary."

And it had been fine, but now he wasn't too sure where he was.

He's a brickhouse. He's got so many scars. But he's also very relaxed and not going to be at all threatening to a kid.

"So you can recognize it high or low. That's good. Want a shoulder ride, see if you can spot something familiar from that angle?"

His dad may be a super villain, he can handle some scars. He thought for a moment but then nodded.

"Yes please. If I'm not too heavy."

It would certainly be easier to spot where they were.

Amazing how common that is.

"Nah, you won't be," he said.

And then he hooks hands under his arms and in one fluid motion, stands up, lifts him up, and gets him over his shoulders.

He is a Very Strong Man.

"Let's see, we came from that way, so let's start there." And will start to walk.

Agent Washington | Red Vs Blue | CRAU: Kyriakos/AFD/Aurora | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Voidtreckers - Day 2

Re: Voidtreckers - Day 2

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