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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At home- Working on a project

Lea stood back from the partially finished sculpture on his worktable, looking it over with a critical eye. "Maybe a little more that way?", he said to himself. "Or if I bend this piece over here... No, that's not it. Hmm..." To get it to bend properly, he knew he'd need to apply a bit of strategic heat with the torch, but where and for how long was critical. His powers might let him manipulate metal easily, but he was still limited by the physical properties of the material itself; heating it was necessary to create the shapes he wanted in metal this thick, but too much could leave the results misshapen and make further work for himself when he had to redo it. Best to be careful with things like this.

At home- Cooking

Lea hummed softly to himself as he worked, stirring the soup pot on the stove in front of him. It wouldn't be a very heavy supper, just soup and sandwiches, but if anyone was interested he planned to go out for a bit later; they could grab a late snack on the way home.

Out and about- Night on the town

Lea and anyone he'd managed to round up hit the movies. He was undecided between 'Snowpocalypse'- a movie about a group of people whose world was in the grips of unending winter thanks to an asteroid impact and their struggles to survive-, 'Dancing in the Flames'- a supposedly 'based on a true story' feel good movie about a girl with fire powers who sought to set the world on fire with her dancing skills instead, and eventually triumphed-, and The Keys to the Kingdom'- a fairy tail about a group of adventurers on a quest to gather three magical keys that together unlocked a long lost artifact that could save their kingdom from certain doom-, so he let his companion be the deciding vote.

And after the movie, it was a hunt for someplace that was still open that they could grab a late snack. Pizza? Tacos? Ice cream? Ramen? The late night munchie possibilities were endless.

Day 3

At first it seemed like nothing, just a weird daydream. An image of a sunset viewed from high up, looking out over a peaceful town and its surrounding landscape. And in stark contrast, a creepy-looking floating castle sitting above a dark city and against an even darker sky. Had he seen something like it in a movie or something? It took him a moment to realize he'd zoned out, but when he did, he shook his head, turning his attention back to his companion. "Sorry, kinda zoned out a minute there. What were you saying?" He tried to dismiss the images and focus. ...But why couldn't he?

Day 4

It was the names that began popping into his head that brought him back to himself. Isa. Roxas. Xion. He counted himself lucky he hadn't been doing something that made his sudden return to himself immediately dangerous, like driving, but as the memories slammed back into place he realized two things. One: this could only be the work of the illusion-creating entity. And two: they were in big trouble.

How many of the other Voidtreckers were here? All of them? Just a few? And if and when he found them, how was he supposed to let them know he was himself again without putting them all at risk?

Edited 2021-07-08 07:01 (UTC)

"Smells good." Kairi sniffed the air slightly as she stood there having just come back from cheerleading practice so she was still in her uniform currently.

"So it's soup this time?"

Lea looked up at the sound of Kairi's voice and smiled. "Yep," he said. "And sandwiches. Just making something light cause I was thinking of maybe going out to catch a movie tonight, then maybe grabbing a late snack on the way back."

"Speaking of which, did you want to come with? Assuming you don't have too much homework, that is."

"That sounds like an interesting plan, but it depends on what the movie is? Also I already did my homework. Best to get it done on the day."

She was already way ahead of everything. It made her wonder if she could invite Nozomi or something. Had been a while since they last spent time together due to her schedule.

Lea's smile broadened a bit at hearing that Kairi was already done with her homework. His little sister was already proving to be more responsible and better academically than he'd ever been at that age, and he couldn't be prouder.

"There are a few different ones I was thinking of," he said. "'The Keys to the Kingdom' looks pretty good, based on the trailers, but then so does 'Dancing in the Flames' and 'Snowpocalypse'. I figured we'd decide when got there, but what do you feel like?"

"Snowpocalyses sounds interesting? I assume a snow storm is going to end the world?" All of them sounded fun, but that one seemed the most interesting to her. But deep down Keys to the Kingdom just sounded like soemthing she would be falmiliar with without knowing why.

"Actually it's about people trying to survive in a world that's already been plunged into an eternal winter by an asteroid impact," Lea said. "It's supposed to be heavy on the drama and suspense, but there's at least one or two good action scenes too, given what I've seen."

"Still sounds like an interesting movie." Probably is still going to be her movie of choice for the most part.

"I'm going to have to go with that one."

"OK then," Lea said. "Snowpocalypse it is. Though we'll probably want to get something hot for our late night snack afterwards. No ice cream."

"I think I can come up with something for that. It will also be a surprise as to what it is." All said with a slight mischievous smile. She will never say what it is.

"Oh? A surprise, huh?", Lea said. "I like surprise food. Though you're gonna have to lead the way then, if you're thinking of a specific place."

"I'm not, but I will get it when the time comes. But you best hope you can handle it." Because the odds ere likely it was at least going to maybe be very, very spicy.

"Ooh, surprise and challenge food, huh?", Lea said. "Alright. You know me; I love a challenge." Especially when it came to spice; he had a tolerance for spicy food that tended to shock people at first, to the point that he sometimes joked that that was his real power.

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paopuofyourlife - 2021-09-23 13:13 (UTC) - Expand

Demyx had only the slightest amount of grace, really, in that he waited until Lea wasn't anywhere near the stove before he popped into existance behind him.

"Heeeeey roomie." He said with a teasing grin, hopefully startling him as he deserved. For being there.

Lea was indeed startled, almost dropping the celery he'd been preparing to chop up and add to the soup. "Gah!", he said, fumbling with the vegetable for a moment before getting a grip on it again. He then turned to Demyx and wagged the celery's leaves at him like a scolding finger. "You know, one of these days you're gonna do that at the wrong time, and somebody's gonna get hurt."

Demyx couldn't help but snicker because that was totally worth it. Lea didn't see the look on his face!

"Nah, I'm not gonna hurt ya!" He grinned at him, completely unrepentant.

"No I mean you're gonna get hurt, sneaking up on the wrong person," Lea said, going back to preparing the vegetables as he talked. "I know it's kind of your job but doing it to people on your off time is gonna get you punched in the nose if you do it to someone too jumpy or who doesn't have a sense of humor for that kind of thing."

"You wouldn't stab your own roommate would you?" Demyx asked with a little grin.

"Hasn't caused me any problems so far, at least." He commented with a small shrug.

"No, because I usually have a sense of humor," Lea said. "Though if you keep doing it, you won't be invited to the movies later."

"Okay okay, I won't sneak up on you anymore today." Demyx said with a grin, completely unrepentant and unwilling to promise that for any other day.

He leaned around Lea. "What're you making?"

"Soup," Lea said. "And sandwiches. Figured we'd just eat a light supper, then grab a late snack after the movie. Probably something hot, since Kairi and I were thinking of Snowpocalypse. Got any suggestions for our post-movie snack location?"

"What about that new place? Dragon Heart. They're supposed to have amazing noodles." Demyx answered.

"That's the rumour anyway." He grinned.

Lea thought for a moment. "They're the ones with the spicy ramen eating challenge, right?", he said. "I've heard good things about them too. Though Kairi might have a surprise place in mind."

"You would know that." Demyx cackled a little bit. "I'm not interested in burning my face off."

He shrugged and offered an easy smile. "Sure, whatever, Kairi can decide."

Lea chuckled. "Hey, is it my fault that's the commercial I saw?", he said. "I'm sure they have plenty of non-spicy stuff too. if we wanna try them sometime. But yeah, this time, we'll let Kairi surprise us."

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Lea | Blue Team | OTA

At Home - Cooking

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At Home - Cooking

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