middleofsomewhere | 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

Senku was surprised by the phone call from a name that he didn't know personally, but he'd seen it on the roster.

Of course he memorized the roster, he memorized everything.

"Hello?" He answered.

"Senku Ishigami?" the caller seeks to confirm before continuing. The display for the id says 'Elidibus'.

"I believe I spoke to an acquaintance of yours. Do you know the name 'Entrapta?'"

Of course this does not necessarily mean anything in an illusion. But it's one way to begin a conversation. And there weren't any others named "Senku" on the train roster.

"I may have met her before." Senku responded, hedging his bets, he couldn't say for certain if Entrapta kept her name in this place or not, some people seemed to have not, but also he hadn't seen her since their arrival.

It was all very odd. "Who's calling?"

Senku could very well read who's calling, but he wanted to know what Elidibus would say.

Caution. Caution is good. It's what prompts the caller to have brought up Entrapta first rather than be direct. Senku's hedging answer is interesting in itself and it alerts the man on the other end.

"I am Elidibus." It matches the caller ID at least. "She shared your name yet I had been unable to speak with you, as other matters required my attention."

Another pause. The Ascian has a number of options in that moment. Then, "Perhaps it would be best to confirm we speak of the same person. Lower Two, D."

Entrapta's cabin room designation. Odds were good that something that specific would not be feigned readily. "At the current time, I inhabit Lower One, B."

Senku's memory will no doubt supply that as the one called Elidibus's own cabin assignment. "I expect you would have a similar assignment, if you are the one our mutual acquaintance referred to?"

It was interesting. Senku was not expecting someone to come to him, much less someone who had broken free. He wasn't sure how many people had, but he was intending very much on making himself a nuisance to those who hadn't.

They needed all the allies they could get.

He had the sinking feeling that they were in danger. That should be obvious to anyone.

"Upper Double A." Senku responded with a little smirk. "Pretenses aside, Elidibus, we haven't met, but I've seen your name on the roster. Sorry 'bout that." He had a habit of meeting many people, as many as he could.

"Entrapta mention me recently, or on board?"

Elidibus deals with words more often than direct conflict. Someone placed in his hands the wherewithal to whisper doubt into the captives' ears and begin to shake the foundation of the illusion's prison.

Of course the Ascian was going to use it.

"We have not met. Entrapta spoke of you not long after I first joined the voyage when I expressed interest in learning more of the nature of the train and meeting with those who have been passengers for some time."

Elidibus's calm politeness hasn't really eased, but there is a candid flavor to his words, now they are past that initial caution. "You are one of the first I have ascertained not to be under the influence of the illusion. To remain free of it, I would recommend you not use any gifts you have found yourself newly in possession of, lest the need is dire."

There is a good chance asking after Entrapta had been intended to find out whether more of them were 'free'. To this end, Elidibus offers, "Though I have little doubt more of our comrades are likewise aware of the risks, I am limited in my means to ascertain their location and condition. Mayhap we can meet and consolidate our efforts to that effect."

"She did, huh." Senku chuckled. "I would say that asking me on board is better, except it definitely is not, it's better to discuss the nature of everything I've learned off the train, although we seem to find ourselves in quite the precarious situation as it were at the moment."

He didn't mind dropping the pretext. He often couldn't stand pretext anyway.

"Fortunately, my gift is rather low-key and something I can easily avoid." What would good luck do for him? "For the most part, at any rate."

Senku hummed as he considered that for a moment. "We can meet." He agreed easily. "I wish I had more positive news, but finding people is going to be tricky when it's so dangerous."

Well for one, good luck seems to have placed two aware Voidtrekkers together.

"I would be interested in further discussion regarding the train's nature before we are finished with this mission. Yet as you say, our current circumstances may need to take priority."

There is a pause and the sound of a door closing. Nothing important, just the typical environmental pickup one would expect from a mobile phone call.

"The city is vast, though smaller than it appears. I am able to discern those who were wearing their SCA device at the time we were drawn into this illusory world. But I would need to see them in person. And there is no guarantee all the passengers were equipped. Our beginning to this mission was somewhat... abrupt."

There is another pause.

"Perhaps it would be better to continue this in person. Have you a place where we might meet?"

"You might be right about that. The situation we find ourselves in may be...untenable at the moment and there certainly is a level of risk associated."

That was what made the whole thing difficult, even so much as selecting a place to meet and discuss things.

Senku considered somewhere public which might be more comfortable, but in reality it was also more dangerous.

"Come by our place." He said instead, offering an address. "Gen is as aware as I am, although he may or may not be here when you arrive. Regardless, it's private and out of the public's view."

An address is given and accepted. "It may be the best these circumstances. I will join you anon."

There is a pause as if he considered hanging up at that point. But he changes his mind.

"...There is no guarantee that our conversations will not be remembered, ere any of us fall into the illusion again. Be mindful of who you would free from this false reality. If they fall prey to the illusion again and their memories of the encounter remain, it may put you and your companion in danger."

"Yeah. We're going to have to strike a balance." Senku agreed with a bit of a frown.

"Although the risk of getting trapped again is always going to be there the longer we're here."

Senku shook his head a little bit. "I'm waiting for you. We'll talk behind closed doors." He promised.

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Prank? Call - Day 2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject