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

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"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

Tidus ; OTA

[blitzcheer]

( a: voidtreckers goss )

"Pfft, Voidtreckers? What're they gonna do? We'll kick 'em out and forget this even happened in a week!"

You could be one of his friends, at college, in the park, at a coffee shop or getting a bite to eat; or just an eavesdropper, listening in to the hottest topic of the day: The nefarious train travellers. Tidus doesn't display worry talking about them, but still the conversations swerve towards them, someone asking, 'What do you think they want?', 'Did they do something to the sky?', 'Yo, I hear they mess with your memories!'

Join in on the conversations between mostly jock-looking types? A few people do - this doesn't seem much of a private conversation.

( b: college, campus gym facilities )

For Tidus, it's just another day in Jinnjar. He's a gymnast kid, his uni connected with the dance studios and sports, even swimming. Their facilities brings visitors for the clubs and fitness gyms that make the campus, and Tidus is a popular figure to see everywhere.

How about a friendly rivalry in the gym at the treadmill? Try approaching one dressed for his exercise, giving any familiar faces - that can be anyone, here - a friendly, "What's the goal, so I can set my time?", setting it to a walking warm-up mode to begin.

And don't miss him at the swimming pools, in and out of campus. He's the kind of guy to try and match with those with a clear advantage of water powers when it comes to making laps, or maybe he's even helping to teach your character to get better at swimming.

"Better than worrying about all that," he says, carefree, hand waving dismissively to the colours in the sky. Boriiing!

( c: late night hanging out )

Even if he isn't taking this whole Voidtrecker business that serious, the D-Force are. He's at a bar with friends, hanging outside under an awning, the TV inside if one glimpses in showing a news briefing about the Voidtreckers.

And there's people out and about, walking around, and you know they're trying to sniff something out. Whether he's speaking to your character or you happen to be listening in, he says, a drink in hand: "Geez, anything funny happens, and everyone's playing heroes. It can't be that bad, can it?"

But even in this night sky, the colours above glow ever more present. He may move, casting a thoughtful look up; and the feeling that worms its way into his head makes him grimace, bump and/or spill (or the horrible combination of both into a passerby, perhaps not even someone stopping for a drink.

( wildcard: ) Want to do text chat? Training centre shenanigans? I'm happy to assume CR or misfire texts! I have a plotting comment here. :) Also still open to any siblings/dating/etc.

A

[flatteries]

"Come on, Tidus!"

Of course Inigo is more fussy about this than Tidus. Something would be wrong with the universe if anything was going on and Inigo wasn't more fussy about something than his friend is, it's just the way these things work.

But Inigo feels like he has legitimate reasons to be fussy here! Hence why he grips his cup of coffee a bit more dramatically as he leans across the cafe table in Tidus's direction.

"Would they be making such a big deal out of it if they weren't such a big danger? I've heard announcements about them everywhere at this point!"

[blitzcheer]

"'Cause people love to gossip!" Like them two. But no, Tidus knows that isn't the reason, sighs with his drink of coffee in hand, leaning back in his chair in contrast to his pal. "You know what the news is like. The Voidtreckers make a show of being around and everyone's gotta talk about it. They do this all the time! What's different this time?"

Other than the coloured sky above their heads, with ribbons of rainbows mingling in with the purple of the sky. Tidus starts to look over and up at it, but stops himself. No need for a weird headache.

[flatteries]

"Maybe the fact that I haven't been able to go anywhere today without these warnings flying around my head." It's said with a hint of a whiny tone. Seriously, putting up this many warnings and announcements about it is really bad for easily antsy people. Why is no one thinking of the fussy babies like Inigo, huh.

But at least he does slowly move to actually sit back down on his seat again.

"And they keep telling us to keep an eye out, but.. for what? Weird things are happening all the time here! It's kind of what happens when some of us just have ridiculous powers!"

(Says the guy with a ridiculous power.)

It's a small miracle he's not spilling any coffee on himself with the way he's dramatically gesturing while talking.

[blitzcheer]

"Turn off the news, put on a podcast! You hear a lot less when you help yourself chill out." Is he accusing someone of something?? You bet he is. But such is the way Inigo is; he's always going to be a worrier, and he can admit that it's been a lot with the news. A little worrying even for a guy like him, but-

"We don't have to worry. What're we gonna see anyway? We're in uni, we dance and do flips. No one's gonna be interested in us." No one that isn't cute and around their age. "Leave it to the Heroes to worry about. And don't look at the sky either. They're not kidding about a headache."

B, off campus

[helborn]

He’d broken out pretty quickly, but he’d learned that his infiltration - or whatever this is - had swimming lessons scheduled with Tidus.

Swimming lessons. Fuck.

So Casper’s in a pool with a temporary prosthetic leg designed for swimming and athletics. His real one is hidden away in his hammerspace. He’s wearing a blue swimsuit and is clinging hard to the side of the pool.

“I… I really don’t think I can float.”

[blitzcheer]

"We'll keep close to the shallow end," Tidus promises, wanting to reassure the guy. Age doesn't matter here - any time is a good time to start learning.

"Your leg's good for water, right?" He nods to the prosthetic, already knowing the answer. "But you're still feeling anxious about it."

Is that it?

[helborn]

"It's fine for water, it's just..." He looks around at the people on the other side of the pool floating and doing laps.

"... It's still hard to believe that a person can float like that."

[blitzcheer]

"Long as you can get air in your lungs and do the right kind of paddling, anyone can." He gives Casper a friendly slap on the shoulder, nodding to him. "Come sit on the side with me, I wanna show how to kick your legs."

Tidus slips down to sit at the edge, close to where the ladder into the pool is but giving room for those planning to use it immediately.

"It's gonna look funny this way, but once you lose the floor under you, you want to kick your legs like this - more of a sway though. You don't want to be tiring your legs. Leisurely's what you're lookin' for."

Tidus shows him as he speaks the way he moves - one foot forward and the other back, keeping a repetitive motion. He joins his hands next, like brushing the air.

"All this is going on under the water. Then - think of your lungs as an airbag. That's the other part keeping you up. You need to breathe though, so that's why you've gotta keep up this motion: for balance."

C

[sos_pilot]

[ Given Della's height, it's pretty easy to bump into her, and spill on her too. She's a little annoyed but when she looks at his face, and gets this... odd sense of affection, it's certainly downplayed. ]

Hey, uh... you normally walk with your head up in the clouds? Can't say I recommend it.

[blitzcheer]

[ It takes a second longer than usual, thanks to that height. First not seeing a person, then looking down already with the idea that he bumped into a chair.

But no, he bumped into a duck person. A somewhat...familiar looking one, or she just looks nice with all those feathers and it being this late.

Wait, crap, his drink- ]

Oh man, I'm sorry, D! Lemme go get some wipes-

[ He makes a 'stay here' motion with his glass put down on the nearby table, and he'll start heading back inside in the bar. She could follow if she likes, but he is heading to wherever has napkins.

please have napkins somewhere bar. BARTENDER, DRINK ALERT ]

[sos_pilot]

[ She follows him along, amused by his overreaction... but curious about something else. ]

"D"? You assume because I'm a duck, my name must begin with D?

[ She is, of course, trolling him. Just for fun.

... Kind of. Somehow... that nickname does feel right. ]

[blitzcheer]

Uh- [ Did he say 'D'? ... he looks confused for a second, stopping, but then turns his expression apologetic. ] Sorry - I dunno why I said that. Guess you looked like a...Debra?

Yeah, [ he decides, note joking. ] you'd make a good Debra.

A

[partofthecrowd]

"Do you really think we can stop them?" Rui couldn't help but ask from behind the counter at the coffee shop.

"I mean, what if they're really tough?"

[blitzcheer]

"We've beaten them how many times before?" Tidus points out. "How much better can they be this time? If a few even slipped in, what are they gonna do to us, anyway? They'll be going for the famous people."

Sorry famous people. But those guys always have better security and protection anyway.

[partofthecrowd]

"Well, I suppose I can't argue with that, but what if they're planning something like, really destructive that hits everyone?" Rui asked, worrying at her lip a little bit.

"Do you think any of them are capable of something like that?"

He's gonna have to take you down bro, sorry 'bout your luck

[chocobosnap]

If Tidus was going to offer a running challenge on the treadmill, Prompto wasn't going to turn his teammate down.

"Oh yeah? I don't know, I don't think your limit can beat mine. Can you even go two hours?"

That was a light day for him. At least, he thought so. Why did he think that? Oh well.

Challenge made, he can definitely do it.

COME AT HIM BRO

[blitzcheer]

"Talking like a guy who found some running superpowers in his backpocket today! Alright!" He likes it! "And I can go for hours in a lotta ways."

Eyyyyy. But he'll start to pick up the pace for his machine, feeling good with some friendly competition on the table. Gotta keep in shape for all the sports he gets up to, for school--it makes sense for him!

[chocobosnap]

"Big talk there buddy." Prompto snickered lightly at the joke. "We'll see who's too tired to go on in two hours!" He started pushing buttons to kick up the speed too.

Nothing wrong with a little light exercise.

"But I will totally be able to do more even when we're done this. I bet you a drink that I can totally outrun you today."

It wasn't really a challenge if there was no bet was there?

B

[flatteries]

It's kind of inevitable that Inigo and Tidus end up dragging each other all over the place when they're not practicing by themselves. And Inigo does suppose he's dragged the other guy over to the dance studios often enough that he should repay him by actually going along with him to the gym and getting in some time on the treadmills.

Besides, how bad can it be. It's just treadmills. It's just walking. Or running. It's not like he doesn't even know what they are! Look at Inigo, he even knows how to put his own into walking mode, though he does have to look at the buttons for a moment, since he's never used this one before.

".. do we have a goal?"

Or rather, do they need to have a goal. A word like 'goal' sounds scary to someone who only really hits the gym when he's going along with his pal rather than occupying the dance studios, okay!!

[blitzcheer]

"As soon as we start running, we don't stop for a whole hour."

Tidus says it straight-faced, though Inigo might be looking ahead than at him, which is the direction Tidus is facing. Thankfully, they're currently on the walking pace, a slow build up to the eventual real exercise they've come for.

"You can handle that, can't ya?"

And also the pre-tease workout.

[flatteries]

Inigo is definitely looking ahead. Even if they're only on walking speed right now, he is so not going to risk tripping and falling and being thrown backwards thanks to the treadmill like a total idiot, just by looking off to the side.

.. except he suddenly does look off to the side at Tidus when he hears those words.

"A whole hour."

Pause.

Then repeated, as if it's only fully dawning on Inigo now: "A whole hour?! That can't be normal. You've got to be kidding me. When would I ever have to run for a whole hour?! We don't live in the time of the dinosaurs anymore!"

A

[canyounoct]

“Dude, if they even exist,” Noctis scoffed, adjusting his bag as they waited in line in the cafe. First - fuel. Then - studying. Ugh. At least Tidus hated it as much as he did. Still, he couldn’t exactly flunk out after working so hard to get in here - to make himself into something.

“It sounds like some kind of conspiracy to me,” Noctis told him. Even if the word ‘Voidtrecker’ left a bad taste in his mouth - like he hated the whole idea just by hearing it.

[blitzcheer]

Your body was a temple, but also, sometimes, your temple wanted a giant ass sandwich burger and whatever else looks good. Tidus was half-still skimming the drinks to make a decision for that side of his appetite, but this conversation was pulling him away from that.

"A conspiracy? On public news TV?" And not one of those weird oddball channels? "They've gotta be something. What," and his tone lightens with a scoff, "You think the government's made 'em up?"

[canyounoct]

"Okay, conspiracy is too strong a word," Noctis relented. He rubbed the back of his neck absently, turning attention away from the distant pastry display at the front of the line.

He shrugged. "More like a rumor gone out of control. This is the stuff from sci-fi movies and Saturday morning cartoons. A flying train. Going to different planets and hacking into stuff. I've got no idea why it's made the news at all."

Something niggled in the back of his mind. A distrust of what the news said, of what the Official Word from the Government said. He didn't know why, maybe ...