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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In the shop

Walking into Razzle Dazzle, one could be forgiven for wondering if they hadn't actually stepped into a shop, but rather had stumbled into someone's grandmother's parlor. Knick-knacks, tchotchkes, antiques, and assorted brick-a-brack was set out on everything from a heavy wooden dining table, to an unremarkable set of mass produced bookshelves, to what looked like it had once been a barber's stand, all seemingly with no rhyme or reason. But a closer look revealed that all the items were well kept, and that each had a price tag. And sticking around a little while would reveal that the various seemingly random furniture and displays seemed to invite people to linger and browse, to discover some new fascinating or whimsical piece that they didn't know they wanted or needed until they stumbled upon it. Even the lighting added to it, the windows covered in gauzy curtains that gave the shop's interior an almost ethereal feeling.

And the shop perfectly suited it owner. Madame Razz, or just Razz, was little old woman dressed in almost floor length magenta and mint green robes and peering out from behind glasses that made her eyes look huge and round. Her pale pink hair always hung wild, her bangles clinked gently whenever she moved, and somehow there always seemed to be several white butterflies fluttering around her, though they always evaded any attempt to touch them. Most often she could be seen sweeping the shop floor with an old-fashioned whisk broom, but occasionally one could actually find her behind the counter.

Either way, when she noticed someone come in, her reaction tended to be a warm one, and today was no exception. "Welcome, dearie!", she said as the little bell above the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a potential customer. "Feel free to look at anything you like. Just be careful not to trip over Broom; he gets underfoot all the time, you know."

On the street

Everyone assumed that Razz had an apartment somewhere, but if asked no one could say they had ever really seen her leave the vicinity of the shop. But she did step outside occasionally, whether it was to sweep the sidewalk outside it- still with that old whisk broom- or to water the flowerbeds that ran along its front wall. Today, however, she was doing neither of those things. Instead she was looking up at the sky, peering intently through her round glasses as if searching for a distant object among the swirls of color.

It had been ages since she'd been here last. Or that was how it felt. It always a little like coming home when she arrived. She felt that way with a lot of places, but this one felt like it more. Perhaps because this was where she had just landed.

Ava never carried much with her, a sack on her back being all she needed. She let herself into the shop and smiled from behind her mask and one of her few true friends.

"Missed me?"

Razz looked up from her sweeping and beamed at the young woman, bustling over to greet her more quickly than one would think such an old woman was capable of. "Of course, Mara dear!", she said. "But I knew you'd come back. After all, you promised." It wasn't the first time she'd addressed Ava by that name, and it likely wouldn't be the last. But the affection was just as genuine, no matter which name she called her by.

She had stopped arguing it and hugged her. "Of course. I'll always come back," she said warmly.

How could she have left this place? Razz clearly needed her. "Maybe I should just stay this time." And she meant it, she always meant it. But it always got harder the longer she was there. Not because of Razz, not at all. But because she just... couldn't stay in one place for long.

Razz hugged her back having to reach up a little where Ava had to bend down slightly. The butterflies that always seemed to flutter around Razz briefly fluttered around Ava as well, until they let go.

"Now then," she said. "How about I make some tea and you can tell Madame Razz all about your adventures, hmm? You always have the most wonderful stories when you come to visit."

"Of course!" she said happily. "I'll help with the tea, let me just toss my bag out of the way, okay?"

Shop

There was something about this shop that kept drawing Elianne back. She wasn't sure why. But the past day or two it felt stronger. Eli herself... well, she was Kaylin under AU to think she was Eli; and her familiar looked like a cat and both she and the cat seemed aware of which things actually had magic. The cat seemed interested, Eli shied away. But she gave the owner a brief smile, trying to shake the thought that it was the wrong **** old person working the shop.

"Everything good here today?"

Razz looked up from her sweeping and smiled. "As good as ever, dearie," she said. But after a moment the smile faded to a more thoughtful look and the sweeping broom stilled. "But it shouldn't be as good as ever, should it? Or maybe it should be, and it isn't? I can't seem to tell lately..."

She gave her a bit of a smile. "Not sure, myself," she said. She turned heading for the kitchen to filch a biscuit and stopped suddenly, facing a wall instead of a door.

Why... why had she expected a door there? A cluttered kitchen. An old man. Teacups... without handles for some reason...?

She shook her head, trying to shake off the feeling that something was very... very... wrong.

Razz noticed the sudden stop and the headshake. "Hmm? Are you alright?", she said, coming over to see for herself. "You've got to watch where you're walking around here, you know. I know you aren't one who can walk through walls, after all."

"Yeah, no that's Mandoran and Terra... no...."

She frowned. "Who the actual ****s are they?"

"Mhmmmhhhhh...."

Potato...has no idea what they're doing. Staring is sort of hurting her eyes. But the old lady was staring, so maybe it's important. It's probably important.

Potato stares. She stares.

She can't take this anymore! "...what're we looking for?"

Honestly, it's hurting Razz's eyes too. But for some reason, it's difficult to look away. As if there's something just out of range of her senses, but if she keeps staring long enough, it's sure to reveal itself.

Potato's voice startles her slightly though, and she looks down at her. "Oh, hello, dearie," she said. "Don't mind old Razz. It's just that those colors shouldn't be there. With them in the way, how are we going to look at the stars?" Of course it's daytime, so there wouldn't be stars visible anyway, but...

"They're not supposed to be?" Well, she'd have never guessed that at all!! "I don't think we can see stars when it's bright out, but is it bright because of the colours then?"

Here she thought it was because of the sun...or wait no.

Potato realizes something. "OH!!! You mean the Sun then!! Because the Sun's a star!"

She should probably be cautioned against staring at the sun.

"No, no," Razz said, waving off the idea. "I mean the stars. Mara and I were going to look at the stars tonight, but these colors are in the way. Of course we probably couldn't see them anyway with all these silly buildings. That's why I like the forest so much better. There's a wonderful clearing there that's..."

She trailed off, looking confused. Wait... when had she been to a forest? Or was it more... when had she not been in a forest? But hadn't she lived here for much of her long life? "What was Razz doing here again? ...Oh, that's right!" She smiled. "I was sweeping up the sidewalk, and then I was going to water the flowers."

"Would you be willing to help an old lady out dearie?" She indicated the watering can by the corner of one of the flower beds. "The flowers just need a little drink today."

"Ohhhh..." Night sky stuff...she's got it, she's got it.

Apparently unable to quite catch that there was an abrupt change of topic there, Potato listens as Razz swiftly falls into the 'memory' of what she was 'actually doing' and makes her offer. "Oh!! Yeah, I can help!! I used to help Granny lots," she cheers, puffing her chest a bit. "Are we going to water stuff in a forest too? I bet there's lots to water in a forest, since it's all plants. Do you like it because of that too? I bet there's lots of dirt to sweep too..." she mutters, tapping her chin in thought.

"...woah. There's a lot more to do if you're doing those things." Man, this idea of living in a forest just gets better and better.

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Madame Razz | She-Ra and the Princesses of Power |4th Wall Guest | OTA

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