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

There is a very long pause at the question.

One part of Adrien says no. No, he's fine. He doesn't need to talk. Of course he doesn't need to talk.

Another part says he should. He knows. He's learned.

"I dreamt you were a cat." So the middle ground for the funny part.

"A cat... what is it with you and cats, bro? You want my Nekomimis or something?" he teased to hide that he was shaken.

Because he had been a cat in his nightmare too.

Adrien snorted. "I like cats, so sue me," he said. "But you were also a talking cat. And we were....in Big Ben? But we could see the Eiffel Tower? It was weird."

Because those totally exited, right.

"Big what? Is that a rice thing? What sort of tower? You still asleep, bro?" he asked, teasing.

"You know, Big Ben? The clocktiwer where Felix lives-"

His cousin was mad enough to cause problems-used the name because its what he thinks for trickery as he talks to his enemy-

"Ugh, you trying to give me nightmares too?" he complained, leaning against his brother."

Except oddly... as much as he disliked their cousin... he was an easier topic than the nightmare Gar still was not admitting to having had.

"Felix isn't that bad, you know. Just....emotionally stunted. Like dad. And you. " He's just saying.

"I am not emotionally stunted!" he said, jabbing Adrien with his elbow. "And Felix and dad have the combined sense of humour of a wet dish rag. But at least it is fun to tick dad off. Felix is just annoying."

It wasn't so much fun to tick off Gabriel as it was, well... the only way Gar knew to get their father to pay attention to him. Adrien was more like a cat. He wanted attention, but good attention. Gar was like a dog, he'd take any attention at all.

Adrien yelped and Plagg growled at the sudden movement."Gar, humor doesn't mean emotionally competent. That's real clear to me after-"

Getting fed up, being encouraged, changing, and then being forced to see how much of it he used as a shield-

"What I mean is, you've been clingy and haven't admitted to a problem. And while I don't mind clingy, I will never mind, I still worry what has you worked up. And I'm wondering at what point pulling teeth will be affective."

He sat up a little and looked at his brother frowning thoughtfully. "You're getting good at this. Used to be you'd have bought the excuse that your nightmare is what woke me up, you know..." Or maybe he was pretending to buy it and Gar hadn't noticed? He was starting to be unsure.

And why was he getting the weirdest flash of a black and blond cat joining him in a... tree?

"I pretended to buy it, Gar," Adrien said. "Or....well, lied to myself that things were what they appeared, but-"

A plate shatters in his hand-

"It gets tiring. Especially when I know you're hurting. I can't let you protect me all the time." He reaches out for his hand. "Not when you need it too."

He laid back down and took his brother's hand with his own. "Kind of the big brother's job," he said. "And one of the few things I'm good at," he added in a mutter. Adrien was one of the very very few people he didn't feel like he had to always be "on" around, that he could be open and honest with.

He closed his eyes. "It was bad," he finally said; meaning the nightmare. "Probably the worst I've had since..."

Since mom...

But something felt odd there. Off. He saw their mom but also another woman, older, different. He opened his eyes to dispel the odd double image.

"I know. And its why I try to be honest with you. And largely succeed." It wasn't that he lied, persay. But offering stuff up was hard. Gar was far easier then most.

He didn't have to choose a mask.

He didn't know what Kagami wanted-

"But I can stilk be there for you too." He squeezed his hand, focusing on Gar as he talks. "...what happened?"

"Thank you." For... everything, Adrien. Just... everything.

"Believe it or not... it started with me as a cat too. I swear I'm not making that up," he added with a hint of a grin. There was nothing to grin about the rest of it, though.

"What are brothers for?"

"Maybe Plagg is invading our dreams," he said with a wire grin. In response, Plagg decided to crawl onto his side and flop there with a huff. "What next?"

"Maybe," he said, reaching out to give the cat a bit of petting. He sighed.

"I was on this world that was all under water. Somehow I could breathe. And sort of swim. And all around were just... fish. So many fish. And apparently I wanted them. All of them. Not sure what happened after that but then... I was alone. In the same watery area. No fish no..."

He swallowed hard.

"I was alone... but not alone. The fish were gone but...."

He swallowed again, eyes closing, hand tightening over Adrien's, his other hand stilling on Plagg's fur.

"Bodies," he whispered. "Floating bodies. Dead. Then those were gone. And I knew... somehow I knew it was because they had been eaten. S..some of the bodies were people I think I must have known in the dream, but I don't know who they are now that I'm awake...." And he could hardly grasp the memory now. Though one of them... that older woman....

"But the others," he whispered, a tear escaping. Then another. His breathe caught. "You. Dad. Mom. Nino. Everyone. Just... everyone..." he whispered. Dead. Eaten."

He was shaking now.

Another face from the dream surfaced. A name with it. Kirika...

He swallowed convulsively several times.

"You were all dead. Everyone I ever loved... dead. Eaten and somehow... somehow... I knew... it was my fault. I had... I had destroyed everything."

Edited 2021-07-09 11:29 (UTC)

Plagg was a cat. He was Adrien's cat. He liked cheese, even though Adrien said he couldn't have it. He got to be lazy and hang out with his boy, and all was well.

But he listens to the story.

The planet is so interesting, and he travels it with his companions. (Family was still too vague a subject.) The oceans were huge, with so much life and death all at once just because of the difference of how something breathed.

He knows the ocean.

"You are too dangerous. You have caused so much extinction and destruction, you are only ever a last resort. You are only released to provide balance for the Ladybug Miraculous, but no one shall use you."

He had been alone. The only wielders those of last resort, or when he was stolen.

Bodies. More and more bodies. The ending of dinosaurs and cities and civilizations. He is destruction, its only natural for him to be fine with this?

Why should he care that people died?

"I know you're just as fascinated with humans as the rest of us. You want to see what happens when they break things." Red and black and the one who always understood him to his core.

There is pain in Gar and Plagg can see that. He turns his head, rubbing against Gar's hand, purring gently.

He is a boy whose withering away. On the edge of his own destruction due to the bars put around him by his father. He complains, he argues, he's put upon by his cheese.

The boy takes a life.

Its the kind of thing that usually causes his users to fear him. Finally understanding what he is.

Instead, the boy apologizes and blames himself.

The boy understands destruction is a tool, for good or bad.

Everyone has died. Everyone dies. That is unavoidable. Its a fact of existence itself. He is a cat and he understands this. The only reason why it hurts is-

The boy embraces him. He loves what Plagg provides. He isn't afraid to use his gifts. But more then that...

There is trust.

The boy listens to Plagg, even if he doesn't always obey. He wants his opinion. He tells him the truth he tells no one else.

He isn't just a tool.

He is his friend.

The boy loves him.

For a moment, Gar may feel nothing at all under his hand as the size shifts. Its just a moment, before the cat body is back.

But Plagg looks up between the two, eyes wide, as he knows without a doubt, that something is terribly wrong in the world.

And while he can respect timing....

He is going to break it.

Adrien, however, was more worried about Gar, then Plagg's existential crisis.

The dream sounds normal enough. Weird, to be sure, but nothing terrible.

Until Gar was alone and he squeezes his hand, because loneliness was the worst. He knew that, and he wouldn't wish it on Gar. He doesn't ever want his family to feel alone.

Then the bodies came in and he breathed in sharply.

He pulls Gar into a hug then. He doesn't know what could cause this. They lost their mother, sure, but this...

"No...no, it wouldn't ever be your fault, Gar. You're not a destroyer."

Darkness dances at his fingertips, for good or ill, all it takes is a touch-

His hold tightens. We're here. We've alive. No one's dead."

He felt the oddness under his hand, but he was too wrapped in misery to react to it. Maybe he just imagined it? He's not sure.

He accepted the hug, clung to his brother as he returned it, letting go of the cat to do so.

"We all destroy sometimes," he whispered. But to kill everyone...

He buried his face in his brother's shoulder. "I even saw my super form, dead," he whispered. "Why? And why... why did it feel so... so real...?" He was shaking badly.

Adrien keeps Gar close, stroking his hair.

"We might destroy things sometimes, but it doesn't make you a destroyer. It doesn't make you destroy everything," Adrien murmured. "Sometimes we have to destroy things to change stuff, but not like that."

"Your super form should be indestructible, you know? That's the whole thing about the suits?" Adrien murmured. "I don't know why it felt real...."

Why did it feel real?

And there was something about the super form....

"He should also be me, and not separate," he pointed out, appreciating the comfort. Needing it. Or Kneeding it, if he was a cat...

But he wasn't.

"I only saw one of you."

"I mean, there is only ever one of me?" Adrien said. "I don't have a super form like you."

Plagg grumbled meowed at that, but rubbed against Gar's hand because Adrien cares about this guy thanks to the illusion, so he'll at least TRY to help.

"And it might have been a metaphor....like...like you felt like you were dying?"

"But I wasn't. I was the only one who wasn't," he said, petting Plagg gratefully. It'll strike them all later just how odd that was.

"Sometimes....when people around you are hurting, it feels like you are. Even when you're not," he said, voice soft, pulling him closer. "Like when mom died..."

He nodded, clinging. "I won't let that happen to you, bro," he whispered. "I won't. That nightmare won't come true. It won't. I won't let it."

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

Re: Adrien Agreste (And Plagg) | Miraculous Ladybug | CRAU: TheWake | 4th Wall Guest | OTA

CW: so much angst. Death.

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