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

[blue_ice]

nerd without a herd

In this world, engineering freshman Seto is....an oddity. has an adoptive family that he loves, and fulfilling volunteer activities at the orphanage, but heroics has been a bust so far. Turns out that's what happens when you start spitting lightning whenever your temper flares.

He can be encountered by the bakery, carrying a box full of peanut butter cookies for his eager brother waiting at home. He's sometimes at the university campus, alone atop a hill with a pile of books. Or he's looking longingly at a hover bike in a shop window---but his studies are the most important thing, and they have a big family to support at home.

But he's really too busy for friends.

rising up

The news of a potential invasion troubles him. True, this is a world full of heroes, and he's relatively confident invaders can be defeated. But everyone should be able to defend themselves, right?

Seto's never been too big on his powers, but now might be the time. He's carrying some sturdy fabrics and wires, and near the training gym he's trying to craft...electricity-conducting gloves? There's a lot of swearing and stabbing his hand. But if he can get these done, he'll have options with his powers.

Aaand there's his hair standing on end. Another failed attempt at conducting through the gloves, but he's getting closer.

haunted dreams

Roars of dragons. Darkness lashing at him. Strange voice he can't explain. Is that the emblem they've been warned about? He feels the sensation of crashing through glass, and as he tumbles out of bed with a yelp...he seems to have a splitting headache. Hopefully his family members are heavy sleepers.

Or he might have this nightmare after drifting off on the bus, only to step off and be unsettled by a face that shouldn't be familiar. He adjusts his glasses, just barely avoids crashing into the person, and sighs.

"Excuse me."

wildcard
((Something else in mind? Hit me with anything and we can make it work. I have a plotting comment here if you'd like to chat first.))

haunted dreams

[mtsilver_conquor]

Eva waves him off with a laugh, even as she loops an arm around his shoulders in a sort of hug. He's family after all; she has that right.

"Don't tell me you're thinking too hard on the birdshit of the Voidtrecker issue?"

Birdshit isn't a word Eva of Diagad would use. And there's a thoughtful look to her face as well. She's not that much different, but it seems something has changed about her. "Or's the talk of dreams getting to you?"

[blue_ice]

"Strong language for this early," Seto says grumpily. Yes, he's the younger brother, but he's very fussy. That grumping gives him time to think, and...well, he's not pulling away.

He idly rubs at his temple. "It was like I was living someone else's life. There was...a giant blue dragon, but I know I've seen it before."

There's a drawing on the napkin in front of him. For someone who's not an artist, it's a fairly accurate reproduction of the creature. She's spitting lightning, just like he does.

"It's midterm stress...isn't it?"

rising up

[sos_pilot]

Della's always felt a kind of affection for this kid. She can't quite put her finger on it, but she feels drawn to him, and today's no exception. But, hey, she is an employee here, so it's not like she doesn't have a legit reason to be there.

She casually strolls over. "Not having a fun day?"

[blue_ice]

"You could say that," Seto answers her tiredly. He knows he's been a source of frustration for the trainers and teachers, but Della has always been unfailingly kind to him. It's appreciated, especially now.

"You've heard the reports on the news, right? About the invaders? I thought...it was time to take my training more seriously."

[sos_pilot]

Della nods, getting in closer. "Yeah, but it's nothing we can't handle." She thumps a fist to her chest. "If you ask me, they're the ones who don't know what they're up against."

[blue_ice]

"We're quite the crew," Seto jokes. Despite his doubts...he's going to be all right. He flexes his gloves and stares at them, eyes glinting with determination.

"I'm going to test them. Ready to see this?"

[sos_pilot]

Della steps back, giving a clap. "Show me what you've got!"

[blue_ice]

"All right."

Seto flexes his fingers once more, drops into a fighting stance...and exhales deeply, lightning streaming out from his mouth. It's collected into his gloves, as he hopes, and after clenching his fists...he runs, vaulting over the obstacle course and slamming his open palm into the wall behind Della at the end. It sizzles, leaving a burn mark.

He pulls back to catch his breath, studying the mark.

"If I can finely control the amount of lightning...I could use it for de-escalation, right?"

[sos_pilot]

Della nearly jumps - but right afterward, she claps hard, amazed and laughing.

"That was SO COOL, Seto!" She cheers, very enthusiastic. "You're a one man frying machine! No one ever better get on your bad side!"

[blue_ice]

"You're exaggerating," Seto laughs, but there's a smile on his face now. She's his favorite of the trainers.

"But I'll show you an even bigger explosion next time. That's what you're always pushing me for, right?"

nerd - day 3

[10billionpercent]

Senku had taken the third day off of 'work'. Since he worked for himself, that wasn't much of a problem.

He was, however, going to make the biggest nuisance of himself he could. He was looking for allies and friends who needed to wake up.

In his opinion, they all needed to wake up. There was no picking and choosing.

It might be a little easier if knew them well enough to find something to use. He was going to use this mysterious power to do it.

Visualize...

He wanted to catch something of Seto's, so he could spark a conversation and he was going to rely on his exceptionally good luck to do it.

Senku bumped into him rather physically, a little hard because he'd been jogging. Ugh, he'd pay for that later. Seto walked quick, he had to run to catch up.

"I'm so sorry!" Senku responded, from where he'd landed on the ground. "I wasn't paying attention." He reached back, hoping his luck held true and something of Seto's would be within his hand's reach.

]

[blue_ice]

Senku's hands will find Seto's sleek glasses, slightly dented. They're holo-glasses with a number of functions if the edge of the rim is pressed, actually.

And Seto seems to be slightly lost without them. He finds the human-shaped blob on the ground and crouches in front of it, offering a hand.

"Where are you going in such a big hurry?"

He sounds slightly irritated, but...could be worse.

[10billionpercent]

"I was running late." Senku explained with a bit of a huff as he takes the hand to get to his feet.

"I think you dropped these." He responded, replacing his hand with Seto's glasses.

"They're very impressive. You look like a tinkerer I know." Senku smiled.

"A real card shark."

[blue_ice]

What a strange person. Seto slips his glasses on, the face coming into focus. He's never met this person before...has he? It's so odd, but he thinks of the stars he saw in his dream last night.

And when he emphasizes that word...he feels a strange phantom weight over his heart, like something should be resting there.

"Why, you're a gambler? You don't strike me as the type..."

Or...does he? Ugh, he's getting a massive headache. "But maybe you know someone who is?"

[10billionpercent]

"Only when I think I can win." Senku said with a little chuckle. "The kind of gambler that goes all in, in that case and walks away with a prize."

He was probably very strange to Kaiba, but that was alright, he could play the long game.

"I do, although I'm not sure he's a gambler, so much as an engineer who enjoys refining something he enjoys. I'm not talking poker." Senku waved his hand. "Poker doesn't use a duel disk."

He didn't know very much about the game Kaiba played, not much at all, it hadn't interested him, but he's hoping he knows enough to spark recognition.

[blue_ice]

That phrase definitely catches his attention. Seto's eyes widen, and as he remembers that he's a duelist...and why he duels, his hand presses against the center of his chest.

Something's definitely there. And he feels compelled to ask.

"Have I...seen you before?"

[10billionpercent]

Senku was rather pleased by the gesture that showed something at least was getting through.

"Yeah." He agreed. "We've met." Senku confirmed.

"We travel together and we're teammates. I'm Ishigami Senku."

Rising up. I wanted to give you someone too >>;

[golden_idol]

That was an excellent session as always.

[Atem called to someone inside the training gym, as he headed outside. There was a towel around his neck that he dabbed against his forehead, his tank top was threatening to cling to his physique as tightly as his pants already were but one was by design and the other was from beads of sweat.

This hadn't been an ability-centered afternoon, and he was planning on getting in a short run to finish getting out any remaining kinks, when he happened to see a familiar face]

We just seem to keep running into each other, can't you resist my charms?

[Atem, no. Bad Pharaoh. He looked curiously to the science project not understanding.... any of it]

[blue_ice]

[ That voice again...Seto feels his cheeks turn pink, especially after their last explosive encounter. He's a little more sure that they had a deeper connection this time, but he's still trying to figure out what that means. ]

Oh, I'm no stalker. I have far better ways to use my time...like training for what we're up against.

[ Seto cocks a brow and stretches his arms way above his head, letting his track shirt ride up. He continues to eye Atem...a little impressed, despite himself.]

So is this the work that goes into your looks?

closed to siebren, tba: meaning of family

[blue_ice]

It's been a rough few nights, but with a few helping hands, Seto has at last accepted that this life isn't real. He's one of the feared Voidtreckers, and all this propaganda was set up to keep him trapped. Just the thought that he was fooled infuriates him.

What infuriates him more is that he tasted happiness, only to have it taken away. And now he's tasked with taking it away from others. Some time ago, he would've had no issue doing so. But now...it weighs heavily on his heart.

He approaches his father that evening, gently setting his textbooks on the table and sitting across from him. "Dad," Seto starts, unsure. "I...need some help. Do you have a few minutes?"

[namethattune]

It has been a difficult week, to say the least - the entire city being in paranoid upheaval over the terror of the Voidtreckers while at the same time having virtually no concrete evidence on them is taxing, to put it lightly. Siebren had had a terrible time getting his students to pay attention in class, made more difficult by the fact that Siebren's own absentmindedness seems to be worse than ever.

Still, he had soldiered through, and is grading the last of the (late) assignments when Seto sets his books on the table and asks for his attention. He greets his son with a genuine smile. "Of course. Is something the matter?"

[blue_ice]

Siebren...no, Dad. He looks so utterly content with his life. And why shouldn't he be? He's a good man, well-respected in the community, and raising a group of good kids. Well. Mostly good kids.

Naturally, that means Seto hates doing this. But he presses on.

"Have you had any of the dreams everyone's talking about? About...other worlds out there, and the Voidtreckers?"

[namethattune]

His brow furrows in concern at the question. On the one hand, it is not an easy subject to discuss; on the other hand, he had promised his sons honesty in return for the same, and he will not renege on that now. "I have, though I do not remember much upon waking. I had thought they might be an effect of the phenomenon in the sky. Are you?" He is far more concerned about Seto suffering from mysterious nightmares than he is himself.

[blue_ice]

"I have. I remember enough. And...I believe that we've been drawn into a false reality, meant to trap us and keep us from fighting back against our enemy."

Might as well come right out with it. He reaches up to tug on a crystal pendant, one that Siebren might not be able to see.

"The Voidtrecker Express is our home. Do you remember anything about it? It's such a long train, it should've been impossible to forget..."