So Familiar a Gleam: Start

[voidtreckermods]

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JINNJAR CITY

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"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…”

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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.

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DAYS ONE & TWO: SLICES OF LIFE

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"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

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[ 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.

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credits: text box - city banner - city side - coloured sky by benjamin0000

Comments

Ken Amada (AU) | Persona 3 | Voidtrekker

[miseris_socios]

[School Daze]

Ken's in elementary school, but that doesn't mean the work isn't difficult. At least it is if you're him. He has a lot to live up to given his (adopted) family, and it's starting to get to him. You might find him in the classroom during recess, making up homework or on the soccer field after school, blowing off steam by himself.

Well, not entirely by himself. Wormmon always waits patiently for him - he'd made an arrangement so that the little buglike entity didn't have to sit out in the rain and instead waited in the library for him. Wormmon watches him kick the ball around with awe in his eyes.

After he's gotten off some of his frustration, the two of them start to walk home, Wormmon riding on his shoulder.


[Home Life] (closed to family members)

Ken tends to come into the house extremely quietly, barely making a sound as he heads into his room. It's hard to even tell if he's home or not except for his shoes near the door and his appearance once dinner is called.

Lately he's been more and more quiet as his struggles with school keep mounting up. He'd never been loud in the orphanage but he'd never been this silent, either. The only one he tells his troubles to is Wormmon, and Wormmon loves Ken too much to ever give up his secrets!

... Except maybe for some snacks... if it's not too secret...


[Wake Me Up]

It takes a while for Ken to shake out of it - the afternoon of the third day. His amulet isn't entirely crafted by him, but he pulls through eventually. Wormmon is still happily oblivious and thinks that this is his Ken, but it's not.

And he doesn't have his Evoker, or his spear, and he feels helpless.

He carries Wormmon along with him, either in his arms or riding with half of him sticking out of his backpack. He doesn't care where he's going, he's just roaming around the city. He's probably in parts he shouldn't be in, but he doesn't care.

Why did he get put with this family instead of the one that adopted him? Do they not actually want him?

He's not sure, and he feels so lost.


[Wildcard]

[???]

home life

[blue_ice]

[ Seto is exhausted. He's had a strange few days, hints of memories telling him that something is very Wrong. But the people he loves most...he knows that's right. So he arrives at home and waves a fresh bakery box outside Ken's door.

The kid's always so quiet. Seto can relate to that...but he worries still. ]

Come on, tell me you don't want to sneak a cookie before Dad spots us.

[miseris_socios]

[He can smell the cookies even before Seto speaks up and smiles slightly. He sets Wormmon down on the bed and goes over to open the door.]

... Okay. ... Was there... um. Something else you needed to talk about?

[blue_ice]

[ Seto passes him one, a secret little smile on his face. ]

I haven't seen you lately. Are your tests that serious? You know I'll quiz you.

[miseris_socios]

[He takes the cookie and steps aside so Seto can come in.]

... I can't focus. I've been having awful dreams. And... and even aside from that... I just keep thinking about how I ended up... there.

[At the orphanage. Alone and afraid, before Seto found him.]

[blue_ice]

[ Seto answers by crouching and giving him a hug. ]

I know it's not really something you can forget. But you're safe here.

So what kind of bad dream monsters do I need to fight?

wake me up

[sos_pilot]

Della's "home" memories are getting stronger all the time, but her mind is still fuzzy with "here" memories. So as she walks and sees Ken, she has an instinct to go to him... but hesitates.

Does she know him, or does she know him? ... Regardless ... a kid that sullen? She just can't leave them alone, and finally makes a choice.

"... Hey there."

[miseris_socios]

He looks up at the strange woman on the street - he knows her... Della, right. But he's not sure why she's approaching him other than the fact that they're both passengers.

"... Did you want something?"

[sos_pilot]

Della offers a casual shrug. "Don't we all?" A little light teasing. "Do you want something?"

[miseris_socios]

"Not really. Just... lost. Not physically." Why did he admit that? Is the fake identity this world made for him really so open?

[sos_pilot]

Della nodded, understanding. "Sometimes you just need a good, long walk to get your thoughts together. I figured since you already had company..." Eyeing wormmon there. "You wouldn't mind a little more."

School

[pleple]

Oh look it's his totally normal classmate Ple. She peers over his shoulder during recess, an eyebrow raised as she looks over his work.

"Having fun?" she asks plainly.

[miseris_socios]

"No." His response is about as short as he is. "Making me make up work... if I cared about it I would have turned it in in the first place."

[pleple]

Ple laughs just as shortly. "Not very ambitious are we?"

[miseris_socios]

"... Not really. It's just really annoying to do."

[pleple]

"It wouldn't hurt to think of your future, you know."

Soccer field

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea had walked past the soccer field a number of times, as it was on the way between his home and one of his favorite places to by his art supplies, but he generally didn't pay it much mind; it was usually either empty or full of kids running soccer drills under the watchful eye of their coaches. Neither was particularly interesting to him. But to day was different. Today it was just one kid playing alone, with a... bug-thing sitting off to the side, and Lea opted to stop and watch for a little while, half leaning on the fence that surrounded the field.

It wasn't long before the kid made a fairly impressive- for a kid, anyway- kick that sent the ball almost dead center into the goal. Of course it would have been more impressive if someone was actually playing goalie, but details. "Hey, nice one!", Lea called, giving a thumbs up with his free hand. The other one held the bag of art supplies he'd just bought and that was frankly starting to get a bit heavy, since some of those supplies were metal. He'd have to switch it to his other hand if he stuck around much longer.

[miseris_socios]

Ken whipped his head around to see someone staring at him, Wormmon looking up and yelling 'Ken-chaaaan!'. He scooped up the bug and held him close to his chest just to reassure him.

"Uh. ... Thanks. Um. ... Usually no one's around when I practice... I'm not all that good."

[hotheadwarmheart]

"Who told you that?", Lea asked. "Looked like you were doing pretty well to me, at least as well as you could without someone to play with or against."

[miseris_socios]

"W... well, I mean... my brothers are a lot... better at stuff than me. So I bet they're better at this than me." He's never really asked for a game. He's just worried they'll be busy. "... And I can only run so fast."

He's short and he knows it.

[hotheadwarmheart]

Lea didn't know this kid's brothers- or really the kid himself- so he had no way of judging how much of that was true and how much was the kid just putting himself down. But there was one thing he did know. "Whether they are or not isn't the important thing," he said. "I know it sounds cliché, but the important thing is that you have fun playing. It doesn't matter if you're pro athlete material or not; if you're having a good time kicking the ball around with your brothers or your friends, I can practically guarantee none of them are worrying about who's 'better' at it. I know I never worry about stuff like that when I'm hanging out with my little sister."

"Besides, maybe you're not a super-fast runner now, but in a couple years, who knows? I wasn't that tall either as a kid, and look at me now." He indicated his own status as a 6' 3" beanpole.

[myblueskies]

Ken is not the only one catching up on school work, Romeo is a hard worker and always diligent in class but his home life is... chaotic to say the least and he's always scrambling to finish homework or falling asleep in the corner of the lunch hall.

"Hi Ken." He smiles kindly at the other boy.

"That maths was tricky wasn't it? Did you understand what she was saying about carrying the numbers?"

Because Romeo only half did.

[miseris_socios]

"Yeah... I think I did? Here, let me show you..." He scoots over to show Romeo, taking out a scrap piece of paper to demonstrate in slightly larger numbers so it's easier to see. His explanation isn't half-bad, considering he's struggling with his own work at times.

[myblueskies]

Romeo leaned over so he could see what Ken was writing, listening as he explained it. "Oh! I understand." He thinks, that makes more sense than what he had been trying to do. He grinned at him.

"Thanks Ken! You are a great teacher!"

[miseris_socios]

His face flushed a little bit, setting the paper down. "It's... I'm okay. I just had to have someone explain it to me. It's really hard to do some of this stuf at first... I just find it kind of annoying."