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

It's kind of inevitable that Inigo and Tidus end up dragging each other all over the place when they're not practicing by themselves. And Inigo does suppose he's dragged the other guy over to the dance studios often enough that he should repay him by actually going along with him to the gym and getting in some time on the treadmills.

Besides, how bad can it be. It's just treadmills. It's just walking. Or running. It's not like he doesn't even know what they are! Look at Inigo, he even knows how to put his own into walking mode, though he does have to look at the buttons for a moment, since he's never used this one before.

".. do we have a goal?"

Or rather, do they need to have a goal. A word like 'goal' sounds scary to someone who only really hits the gym when he's going along with his pal rather than occupying the dance studios, okay!!

"As soon as we start running, we don't stop for a whole hour."

Tidus says it straight-faced, though Inigo might be looking ahead than at him, which is the direction Tidus is facing. Thankfully, they're currently on the walking pace, a slow build up to the eventual real exercise they've come for.

"You can handle that, can't ya?"

And also the pre-tease workout.

Inigo is definitely looking ahead. Even if they're only on walking speed right now, he is so not going to risk tripping and falling and being thrown backwards thanks to the treadmill like a total idiot, just by looking off to the side.

.. except he suddenly does look off to the side at Tidus when he hears those words.

"A whole hour."

Pause.

Then repeated, as if it's only fully dawning on Inigo now: "A whole hour?! That can't be normal. You've got to be kidding me. When would I ever have to run for a whole hour?! We don't live in the time of the dinosaurs anymore!"

"What if every animal from the parks escape, and they all started coming for you." No one should be this cruel, and yet here is Tidus, walking quicker as the pace of the machine slowly keeps on picking up.

"You know how fast some of those are? You could be on the other side of town, and suddenly, there's a bear. A bear, Inigo," he emphasises, really laying it on thick. "It's you and that bear, and that bear sees you? And it's in love. It's gonna eat you up unless you can outrun it, and you know how fast that bear is?!"

The speeding of the treadmill is really helping with the severe mood Tidus is putting them in, here.

"Why would a bear want to eat me up when it's in love with me?! That's not how bear mating rituals work!" Does Inigo know how bear mating rituals do work? Of course not. But he's pretty sure it can't involve cannibalism.

Not that he's very stoked at the idea of having to face down a bear. But at the same time - how real and big is the chance that the animals would break out, huh? And even if that'd happen, he'd bet a bunch of the official superheroes would be present right away to take care of it! There'd be no need to run that fast for that long!

And yet.. Inigo is still going along with the increasing pace of the treadmill.

Solely because he's getting all worked up at these ridiculous scenarios Tidus is presenting. Mostly at how ridiculous they are.

"Also, how many times have either of us been chased by a bear during our lives?! Ever?!"

"Just 'cause it hasn't happened yet doesn't mean it won't! Bears love you, I told you! They're gonna come for you, Inigo! Straight from the parks to right outside your door!"

There was a chance to make this not ridiculous, but Tidus has gone all out, apparently. Why bears? Why indeed - they were just the animal to enter his mind for whatever reason, and now he was weaving the stupidest tale while the treadmill was forcing him into a run, too.

It also made running and talking at the same time a pain, but fool. Tidus has experience. This mouth can't be stopped.

"Ten mintues! It'll take a bear ten minutes to find you! Can you outrun a bear, Inigo?!"

"How do.."

Hold on a second. Tidus's mouth may be unstoppable, but Inigo is finding a few more problems with running and talking at the same time. Sure, he's a dancer, but usually he doesn't attempt to do that and talk at the same time! This is a whole new world.

Which is to say, he pauses because he has to wheeze for a moment before he can continue.

"How do you know how long it'd take a bear to track me down?!" Please, Tidus, what do you think you are? Some sort of bear expert? "What are--" - wheeze - "-- you imagining you're running away from right now then?!"

It's all about deciding when you're going to breathe and when you're going to talk. Tidus runs for a few seconds without answering, before, with all delight in his tone:

"I'm imagining me running on a nice golden beach with the sun out, and waves waiting for me to get on in and swim!"

Oh man, he can taste it! Which would taste a lot like salt water in reality, but it's a far nicer image than the one he's portrayed for Inigo's treadmill training. At least once they're done with the gym, he knows he can head for the showers and get wet that way, so his daydreams aren't entirely that far away.

Hang on, hang on, another wheeze because Inigo is an idiot who has to get his words out as quickly as possible, even if it's at the worst possible moment in the middle of his run--

"Why do you get the fun scenario?!"

Of course Inigo could easily make up his own scenario. The opportunity is right there. And yet for some reason Inigo doesn't, instead just complaining about what Tidus has presented to him.

"There's a shark chasing you now, you know! A shark!!"

Is this guy trying to outsmart a genius here!? A genius of weaving dumb stories, no less! The effort gets a laugh out of Tidus that's difficult on his lungs as they're running, but that won't stop him.

"Sharks can't get me, I'm on the beach! They don't have legs! They don't run!"

Nyaah neah neah neah1! Can't get him, sharks/Inigo!! Try harder!

(Who knew running could be this funny?)

"Sounds like someone here has never heard of" - puff, wheeze - "the monster shark!"

Will these animal debates just always go on, regardless of whether Inigo and Tidus are fully themselves or not? Yes, apparently. You just can't stop these boys from going on about this, even if you completely change their memories around.

Then again, Inigo would know way less about sharks if he was just his regular self right now.

(Even if it doesn't stop him from making up ridiculous new sharks as he runs.)

"That one does have legs! And it just loves eating guys who are mean to their best friends!!"

"So that means he's coming for you!" Hah, turning this around! Like a shark with legs and knees! "Since this sure sounds like a pal trying to get his best friend mauled by a shark!"

Nevermind about the bears, they're no longer relevant. This is probably going to turn out to be a less than effective exercise session, but it is Inigo's first time in the gym, so Tidus was ready for a short visit.

Who knew it'd be the sharks behind it, though.

Oh gosh, Inigo may still be talking back to Tidus during all of this, but he sure is starting to feel the burn in his legs. He's grabbing a hold of the bar now in order to keep himself grounded as his feet keep moving underneath him.

"I'm not the one who invented sharks, pal!"

.. though maybe he invented this particular shark.

Maybe Inigo would have said more too, but he's way too busy wheezing as he's trying to keep running.

Meanwhile, Tidus's feet are still thumping away in a rhythm beside Inigo's treadmill, hands balled into fists and enjoying the feeling of his body being pushed to keep going. He takes a side-look to see the state of Inigo, not speaking up right away; but, with a small audible 'heh!':

"The bear's coming for ya, 'Nigo!"

it's commmiiiiiing!

(Just tell him to go stuff himself, it's ok.)

"If.."

Oh god, he's not going to make it.

He's going to have to call someone to come pick him up after this, because Inigo is so not going to be able to walk anymore, thanks.

"If you don't watch out.. you'll have me coming for you..!"

JUST WAIT UNTIL HE'S OFF THE TREADMILL, PAL.

B-Because it'll stop.. any day now. Right. Any day now?!

.. Why does it kind of feels like the whole thing is still just speeding up?!

"You sound ready to drop dead." Just plainly putting that out there. Tidus doesn't even need to look to confirm this fact, though there is some sliver of him wondering if he needs to remind Inigo he can stop the treadmill. But that's just being stupidly overcautious, right?

Why wouldn't Inigo be able to guess how to work a treadmill? He even turned his on!

There's no way this can end up with Inigo breaking his nose.

Don't jinx it, dude.

Although Inigo does at least know that he can stop it by hand. But he's also thinking that these programs - because it's changing speed, going slow at first and then going faster - surely have an end to it. And if he stops it before that end - well, then he's just admitting defeat! Especially since Tidus is still going!

He won't accept defeat. Even if he breaks his nose!!

"I'm.." - wheeze - ".. running froM THE BEARS!!" Who's the one who introduced that concept, huh!

Aww, bro.

Has anyone said anything more touching to Tidus all day? No, surely not; and touching may not be the right word, but it hits Tidus in a fond way, making him brighten. Inigo's going along with his dumb tale of bears. He's doing his best!

He's not looking at Inigo, but Tidus is running with the biggest grin on his face. It's even a little distracting with his exercise.

Nevertheless:

"You show them bears! You run, Inigo! You can beat them! You can beat anyone!"

It's time to encourage his bro!!! Tell him he's got the good stuff!!

"Y-Yeah, I can!"

But even as he's saying that, he's starting to feel like maybe - just maybe - he actually can't. Because he's getting mighty tired over here, and though his legs are still moving, they're going slower and slower.

In fact, if Tidus does look to the side for a moment to look at Inigo, he'll see the other slowly.. moving backwards.. Like it's only mere moments like he's getting chucked off the treadmill for being too slow.

Does Inigo himself notice that though? Probably, but he also probably hasn't thought of that final consequence just yet while he's so preoccupied with running.

Edited 2021-07-12 16:23 (UTC)

It's by some mercy - to Inigo - that Tidus looks. Just an innocent look to see the state of his friend (but one to fondly cherish than anything meanspirited towards the attempt that's being given here), and Tidus catches it. The way Inigo is lagging, how close to the end he is of the belt; and a guy who's new to the machine could easily trip without thinking about it, unused to the space.

That's what Tidus thinks is about to happen, and his name comes out at the same instance that Tidus hops off his own treadmill with a single step; one that's awkward on his feet, shifts his balance, that makes for the most awkward catching of a guy where they don't tumble to the ground...

But the sudden weight in Tidus's arms that come to grab Inigo does lead him to take a knee so he can keep his hold on him.

"Heyyy, hey-" We promise this repeating of hey is supposed to be reassuring, "--you escaped the bear, you did it! You okay?"

Inigo wasn't realising what was going on a moment ago. And even now, when he moves a little too far backwards off the treadmill and then there's suddenly a pair of arms around him, he still doesn't quite get what happened to him.

It'll probably dawn on him in a few moments from now. But not in this very specific moment, where he's lying there in Tidus's arms, staring up at the other's face with wide eyes as the situation slowly gets through to him. Something about this scenario is so movie-like, so weirdly.. weirdly what?

There's a feeling in his stomach he can't quite place, as if some subconscious part of him is happier with this than the conscious part, and in his confusion while trying to figure it out, the obvious happens.

His powers kick in by accident. Inigo sparkles. His eyes turn into more charming bigger doe eyes. It's like flowers bloom in the background, and something about his voice almost seems to resonate around them.

"You.. caught me."

The sight of him is precious. Tidus's heart swells with a concern born from love, from the relief of what didn't happen, but what could have. If Inigo had taken a wrong step, if he hadn't been quick enough to get off and catch him...what then? Tidus's mouth tightens, his brow knitting ever tighter too, breath trapped in his throat as he struggles to swallow down this intense emotion that's captivated him.

"I did. I always will," he promises, pressing in close to Inigo. A hand - knowing that it's safe to, his other arm wrapping better around the back of Inigo's shoulders to secure him - cups one of his friend's cheeks, fingers smoothing into hair. "Inigo, if anything ever happened to you... what would I do? You can't do that to me."

It pains him to say, to think about this if. Staring into the eyes under his - eyes he might've never seen again. Eyes so full of life, of joy. The eyes of a friend he loves so much.

"Promise me - promise you'll take better care next time."

Please.

Ba-dum.

That's definitely the sound of his heart starting to beat more rapidly in his chest. And at first he's not even sure why. It's just happening before his brain processing anything, like an instinctive reaction to Tidus being this close to him, to the other holding his cheek, speaking so tenderly.

Why is his heart racing? It's not like he's ever viewed Tidus that way, right? (R-Right?) So why now--

"Tidus-- Oh god, Tidus, it's my powers, it's my power!" He's blushing so wildly, and yet he's not making any attempt to escape the other's grasp. Like some part of him is enjoying this way too much to give it up, even though he's audibly protesting. "It's my power and I can't turn it off!"

Which is true. Even though Inigo is saying that, the shoujo effect is still ongoing, somehow managing to even make his frantic panic look extremely charming.

It is so charming.

"Don't worry about it," Tidus soothes, surely by now the pair making a scene in the gym. A scene that is going to embarrass Tidus for the rest of his uni life - once he becomes aware. "I forgive you - I just want you to be careful. You have to let me know before we get this far."

Tears well up in the corners of Tidus's eyes, and a breath shudders between lips that want to smile. Instead he meets Inigo as he wraps both arms around him, trying to lift him up, into an embrace with their faces close.

"Inigo...!"

He's going to die. Either his heart is going to give out any minute now, or Tidus is going to absolutely murder him once he snaps out of it.

Maybe the best thing Inigo can do right now is the most flustered version of damage control ever. He pats the other's back - first gently, but then a bit more insistent, as Inigo desperately tries to avoid the gazes of the people around them.

"A-Alright, it's alright, I promise to be careful, so.. um.."

Oh god, what does he even do. Inigo only gets an idea when he spots the door to the changing rooms.

"Let's go get changed now, y-yeah?"

There's a brief pause before Inigo seems to realise certain Implications that might arise with his power still refusing to switch off, so he quickly adds: "N-NOT IN THAT WAY!"

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