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

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[[ OOC: Bold words are prompts. Mix and match to your heart's content or throw me a wildcard and come up with a prompt of your own. (Feel free to contact me by journal DM,

aviekokyre, or Discord: aviekokyre#3411) ]]

Days 1-2

Nory Mbari's parents work at the aquarium, so when she's not at school, she's spending her time hanging around the aquarium looking at all the sea creatures. Her body is in constant motion, swaying one way and then the other. Sometimes she listens to music or reads a fashion magazine, but it seems like she wants to be active.

"Hey! How's it swimming?" It doesn't matter if she knows you or not. Nory is super friendly and cheerful.

Days 3-4

The training center seems like a fun and happening place to be as she defend the castle Erna. Ink manipulation makes it really easy to turn those Voidtreckers green. However, after training, Nory feels... conflicted. There's something that gives her some major deja vu here. Everywhere.

"Maybe I've been hitting the games too hard..."

So, Nory does what any other kid her age would do go shopping and look at all the freshest fashion around. She might even ask a stranger how she looks in an outfit she's trying on. "What do you think? Can I rock this style?"

Things started out innocently enough. Her super hero team was called to save some demented mad scientist from using aquatic sea life for taking racy pictures of celebrities lounging on the beach and in their condos. Of course, Mimi K. Octoling wasn't a part of the protection force. No, she was a part of cleanup, bringing back wayward sea life to the safety of their homes.

But it was on that day that she met... her.

Since, she had been coming back like clockwork ever Thursday after school. Mimi would always be at the same spot -- the squid tank -- and would be standing silent for nearly half an hour. Whenver Nory came by, Mimi would cast wayward glances in her direction. She was so fresh. She helped out at her parent's acquarium... was genuinely friendly to the visitors... moved around so gracefully... ahh...

So many times she wanted to walk up to her and say something and she choked just as frequently. Last time it looked like Elroy was even walking up to her, only to instead chat to a mom and child that was standing nearby. It was just as well because the excitement of that near encounter caused Mimi to flee just as quickly.

No, this was fine. This was good. This was...

...her just asking a question. Directly at her. She was standing there for the past five seconds waiting for her answer. Oh cod. Oh cod. What the shell should she say. What the shell should she say. "...the sky?" THE SKY? IS THAT EVEN WHAT SHE ASKED? OH COD WHY DID YOU GO WITH THAT DAD JOKE? LORD KRILL HER NOW AND END HER.

Nory had seen this kid hang around the aquarium a few times, but she never seems to really stick around. So! This squidkid decided that needed to change. If she wasn't going to say hi to here, then she'll say hi first.

... She thinks?

"You're swimming the sky?" She pauses. "You're silly."

"N-No... that's not!" Not what she meant at all! What was it that she was asked? Something about swimming??

"I was swimming for the Marine Protection Task Force!! B-But... I'm just a cadet. C-C-Cadet Mimi! That's me! Yup..."

"You're a cadet? That's inkredible! You look to be my age, but you're already part of the Marine Protection Task Force." She gives a salute. "Thank you for doing your job to protect these endangered waters."

Although, it's pretty funny that a cadet is getting so flustered just from talking with her.

"C-Cadet! I just... just got started!!" In her mind its because she had special powers that they found useful and had nothing to do with silly things like her character and diligence. Please.

"Um... actually..." Talking with Nory was like riding a roller coaster. Even though it was easier now that it started, she could feel her heart in her throat and it was taking everything to keep from running. "One of my first cases was th-the mad scientist that was using. I.. wasn't a part of catching him, but I helped getting the m-marine life back. Do you remember me...?"

UH. "I-I mean, do you remember if y-you are still missing any?" She wanted to throw up, for eel.

Edited 2021-07-09 04:13 (UTC)

Nory manipulates ink. That has really limited use at an aquarium. What can she do? Clean ink stains off carpet?

"That was you?" The illusion starts stitching together the missing pieces. "So many sheep shells and chicken shrimps had gone missing. And even if we raise peanut butter jellyfish in the back, I'd hate them to be used in some reely rotten plans."

She furrows her brows a bit before returning to her normal, cheerful self. "We got most of them back, and Dad asked me to stay behind scenes to give the squad a little TLC."

She could make some beaching signs and make slight alterations to them to make each one unique on a daily basis!!

The words are said and the memory changes. Tacit and vague. "Yeah! Can you believe they thought they use them to bypass marine security...? That's what they think he was going to use them for..."

But the statement of what she was doing got her excited. "O-Oh!! Are you about to go do that? Can we go and see them? T-Together...?"

There are some definite perks to being the daughter of two aquarium employees. A secret touch pool and feeding show are among them. "I bet they'd love to see the tough cadet who saved them! Follow me, and I'll ask for you to get clearance to go behind the scenes."

And... Nory is off before Mimi even had a chance to give a reply, having already decided that the girl was going to say yes. Better catch up.

Secret touch pool and feeding show sounds great if you know where those things are, Nory! Mimi blinks a moment at the location that Nory used to be. She then realizes what she just said and is booking it behind.

"H-Hey! I don't know where that is!" Of course you don't, Mimi, she told you that she was taking you there. "A-And it might not be okay? I don't want to get you in trouble..."

"If they say no, then nothing happens. The tide stays out, and I'll just do it solo later." Nory smiles over her shoulder, just slowing down enough to catch Mimi's eyes before darting around the corner.

She stops in front of two adults wearing lab coats. They bear no real resemblance to Nory, but she doesn't seem bothered by it. "Hey, can Cadet Mimi help me with the critters behind the scenes? She wants to see how they're doing after she rescued them."

They look at Mimi, and after a moment, "recognition" is on their faces. "So she is," Nory's mother says. "Be sure to go over all the important procedures and safety protocols first."

"I will," Nory practically sings.

Mimi was just able to catch up, a soft pant as she didn't realize she was going to go on a sudden sprint so quickly after meeting Nory. She quickly takes a second to straighten up and flush a bit before mumbling a soft 'hello,' to the two scientists looking down on her.

She's adopted, like me. Mimi smiled, appreciating the similarities. After permission was granted, she looked over Nory inquisitively. "What are the safety protocols?" She figured that she was going to find out what they were, but no foul asking ahead of time, right?

Edited 2021-07-18 09:45 (UTC)

Nory probably shouldn't have run in the aquarium, but she's made to move. Even under her illusion, she's athletic with a brightness in her eyes. "The easy ones to remember are to be gentle and don't bring them out of the water for too long. They've been stressed, so we gotta let them come to us instead on their own terms. Just go with the flow and follow what I do."

She leads them to a door and opens it. There must be some kind of key on her that gives her access. Nory holds the door open for Mimi to pass through and then makes sure it closes behind them. No need to cause another security break.

"The sheep shells are right over here." They look like clams, but they have a symbiotic relationship with a type of algae, giving their hard shells a fuzzy and soft appearance. Little feelers wiggle out from the shell openings, tasting the water for food. "Here, put some of this in your palm underwater. Then wait. They'll start moving over." Mimi is going to get a handful of food pellets, and then Nory is going to demonstrate herself.

Mimi nods, more attentive to how she approaches the sea creatures. When she went to save them, it was more of a retrieval... she didn't really get to interact with them, nor was she aware of anything special she was supposed to do.

A soft smile forms as she cautiously begins to dip her hand into the water. The smile widens as she sees them start to move towards the food.

((Continuing here to avoid captcha~))

At the moment the answer to "what's swimming" seems to be Lapis, having just surfaced at the edge of one of the largest tanks in the back room area, pulling in a gulp of air. Rubbing the water from her eyes, she blinks down at the tiny girl.

"What's --" Her brows meet a little in confusion. "Nothing? They moved the elephant whales to another tank."

Which of course begs the question of what she's doing in there. She's not dressed like any of the aquarium staff -- not the standard-issue wetsuit that it offers all its employees.

"You were just a moment ago," Nory laughs. She looks around for a towel to hand the blue lady. Finding it, she offers it to Lapis to dry off. "Mom said that this tank had a crack in it. Are you the one fixing it?"

No, neither of them are employees, but they serve a function here all the same. Lapis is at least getting paid though.

"Thank you." She reaches out for the towel. A notch forms in the rim of the tank, the glass suddenly dipping, and both hand and footholds push inward on the glass below it. Leaning over the notch, she catches the towel with the tips of her fingers, rubbing both face and hair.

"I think I fixed it? Can you see any water from the corner seam?"

Seeing the glass change before her eyes clearly impress Nory, and her mouth forms an "O" shape. "That was so inkin' awesome."

Then she goes to the corner seam and starts to run her hands over it. It feels completely smooth and dry. Nory almost wants to test it with some ink, but she'd first need to find some ink that would be safe for the aquatic life... and then ask Team Water Quality if it would do anything to the filters.... It's just easier to check this way.

"It looks great to me. Actually, it looks better than new! You're getting paid for this, right? This kind of work deserves a tip of some kind."

"It's . . . my first time." Not quite sure what to do with the praise, Lapis makes her way down the glass ladder that she's created, lightly sliding a hand upward upon reaching the bottom. Immediately the glass smooths as though the ladder never existed. Lapis herself trails wet footprints to Nory's side, bending to inspect the area for herself. "No one's ever asked me to do this sort of thing before." Her fingertips brush the surface. ". . . I hope it's all right."

Definite nerves. The work is -- or should be -- sound, but what if the staff find flaws? What if they think she's sabotaged it or taken it lightly because of who she's been?

"They said they would pay." Her fingers trace the edge again, trying to find any minute, nearly imperceptible flaw. "If the work was good?"

Swim on over here and avoid the captcha!

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Agent 3 | Splatoon (Interstellar5555 CRAU) | 4th Wall Guest

Days 1-2

Days 3-4

Hanging around the aquarium

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Day 2

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