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

Yes, that's me. [She definitely doesn't know him in this world, and wouldn't have interacted with him on the train, so the unfamiliarity is clear. She would have asked what's going on, but Elidibus speaks before she can.]

The Voidtrekkers? They're...the people who tried to invade. [Hesitance. She knows that they're trying to take over the city, that they're invaders, but there's something...]

...Why do you ask?

I am certain there is truth in your words. [The caller seems sincere in his acknowledgment. 'Voidtrekkers are invaders'.]

But are you certain it is the whole truth? Who are they? For what purpose do they seek to invade this... city.

[The caller's tone indicates that the term 'city' is being loosely defined for lack of better here.]

How long have you lived in Jinnjar, Masumi Sera?

Why are you asking this? They... [She doesn't know. She doesn't know why they want the city so badly or who they are, despite the threat they present.

But what's weirder is that she can't remember how long she's lived here, now that she actually thinks about it. Surely she's been in Jinnjar her whole life, but why can't she remember?]

I...my whole life. I think. [A pause.] It's weird, I'm not sure about all this.

Because they are questions which must be asked.

[The caller's tone indicates calm patience. Why the Voidtrekkers are invading is left to rest for now. It's sufficient that the question is in Masumi's head for the time being.

Thinking. Questioning the precepts of the reality. That is the intention Elidibus wishes to impart.]

You think? Such matters are normally known are they not? [The caller pauses again. Then offers what sounds to be words of parting.]

What did you do this morning? The day prior? Last week? Have you ever traveled beyond the city's limits? What of your gifts? Have they been with you a lifetime? If so, do they come easily or do you struggle with the basics?

Do not fall into a sense of complacency. And do not look to the sky. There is danger.

[There is a slight shuffling sound as though the caller is preparing to disconnect the call. Though there might be time remaining to try and get him to pause.]

[She can’t answer any of these questions. These are things she should be able to answer easily, and yet she can’t.

In her confusion Masumi almost misses the chance to respond before Elidibus hangs up, but manages to speak before that can happen, impulse taking over.]

Wait, what do you know about this? You sound like you know what’s going on, can you tell me more?

[Even here, she’s still a detective and she wants answers. None of this makes sense, and if Elidibus knows what’s going on then it would probably be best to keep talking to him.]

[There is a short pause. Then the caller speaks briefly.]

There is only so much I can say while you remain blind to the reality. If you desire to learn more, find the answer to the questions I have posed. They are all the same.

[This time he will be disconnecting the phone. Though not before some parting words.]

If you learn the answer, you may send a message to this number. I await favorable news. Good day, Masumi Sera.

[call ended]

[The call ends before she can respond, leaving Masumi to wonder what's going on. The smart thing to do would be to mention this to the authorities, since Elidibus seemed to know way too much to be normal, but for whatever reason she's hesitant. Maybe if she thinks on it...

Think on it she does, and a couple hours later she calls back after finally fully realizing what's going on.]

Elidibus, it's Masumi. I'm aware of what's going on now. [Short and simple, and hopefully gets the point across.]

[Impressively quick. Maybe suspiciously so.]

I hope you will forgive my caution. Yet what proof would you offer with your answer to my questions?

[The tone indicates, whatever the wariness he might have at so quick a revelation, he is willing to hear Masumi out and only then make a judgement.]

[It probably helps that she had focused pretty hard on why things weren't making sense once it became clear that this situation wasn't right, and is a detective used to solving mysteries. Still, it only makes sense to make sure she's really aware of what's going on and not just faking it.]

Understandable enough. I'm on Purple team, and the last thing I remember before this happened was the mission info coming through the SCAs before we all ended up here. Things were a little abrupt, but I'm pretty sure there were no mission goals provided...

[She'd barely had time to read the provided info before things got weird and everyone ended up here but she's pretty sure there were no specific goals given.]

[A color might not have been enough. But a memory of what happened before the mission 'start' does solidify Masumi's claim.]

I recall no goals, though this is my first official mission. I take it from your words this is not a common occurrence?

No, we usually get team goals when the mission info comes in. Usually stuff like 'go investigate this area', or 'evacuate these people' or 'go fight these things'. There's patterns to which team gets what too, so Orange usually gets more investigative or otherwise non combative goals while Red tends to get a lot of goals that involve directly fighting a threat. The fact that we didn't get any goals and minimal info is unusual.

We also usually get prep time between getting the info and arrival, and don't just wind up on the mission like this.

[It's not normal in the slightest.]

[There is a sound like a sigh of impatient or a verbal note of irritation.]

I see. [There is an air of 'can't be helped for now'.] Is it common for the train to be inaccessible during the mission?

We normally have the option to evacuate back to the train with our SCAs if we need to, but people who stayed on the train or evacuated back usually can’t join the mission later.

[That’s weird too, that they can’t evacuate back to the train.]

We also normally have the ability to communicate with each other through the SCAs - it’s chat only, no video, and there’s options for talking to everyone, only the people on your team, or only specific people.

[Another issue. The phones are a substitute, but a poor one.]

In honesty, I don't know if the emergency evacuation can be used. Though as you say, the communication itself is unavailable. I can normally follow the connections these devices have to the train. While I'm not certain it is normal, the... lines, if you will, become diffuse and lost. Perhaps because of interference. But I cannot find a way back to the train through any normal route.

[And to try to evacuate with no clear way back and the communications down would cut him off from events. Masumi seems intelligent and thus he doesn't say the obvious aloud.]

I would be able to spot those wearing a device even if it is hidden. Yet there are far more people in this world than those aboard the train. This world's illusion is built upon a certain level of reality. Though from within it is difficult to unravel.

[After a pause which is probably thoughtful in nature, Elidibus continues with a question.]

Have you any connection with others from the train within the false life this place bestowed on you?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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Sorry for the delay!

It's fine!

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