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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(OOC: I will match with prose as well if you prefer to do that instead of brackets! Go right ahead and do assumed CR with our chars since it's an AU'd event setting. Her current family that I can think of off the top of my head is V "Vincent" as her husband, Casper as her son, Dennis as her nephew, Anafiel as an older brother, and Hajime as her twin brother. Willow works at a hospital with healing powers/holy magic based abilities and does falconry on the side by giving presentations and lessons about birds of prey with Nova as her main companion for these presentations.)

Days 1 & 2
[Hospital work lately has been getting more busy with all the people accusing others of being those Voidtreckers they've been warned about, especially when there's been rumour of infiltration. How terrible, that means there'll be more work and less chances to be home before it gets dark at the end of her shifts.

But luckily it hasn't been as stressful as she's worried, it's well staffed and by the time she gets off she can sit at a cafe for some time before going home as she reads the recent news of other falconers.]

(OOC: For day 2 she'll have a headache from a "strange dream", noticeable from how she'd be rubbing her temples off and on as she works or sits in the cafe.)

Locked to bodyoftheseus Day 3
[Casper is currently away at school, not due to be back until much later in the day and Willow has thankfully had most of the day off, only having to run out and deal with a small emergency at a nearby park where a kid had fallen off of something chasing a cat that disappeared according to him. On her way back home, she stops at a place Vincent likes and gets the two of them some tamales, as well as sends him a text to let him know she's on her way home with food.

Once home, she kicks off her shoes and finds him in the living room.]

Spare a minute for tamales? Have you even eaten today or have you been working on getting everything working?

Day 4
[As if the dreams and now frequent headaches weren't bad enough, Willow's begun to really notice things behaving strangely, especially after a discussion she had while Casper was away. Things seem to be rather off, but it's not enough that she's convinced yet that this hasn't been her life although she's questioning it. The skies have given her headaches and she's seen the things seeming to glitch out.

Even now she's just staring skyward at birds disappearing, a little too intently at that. Watching as a few of them fly off into nothingness.]

How... odd. This doesn't seem right.

Wildcard!
(See something you don't like? Or want to combine something? Have at it. I can be found on the discord server under 'Ren'/TsundereShadow#6350 or on plurk @

TsundereShadow if you want to toss a plot idea my way!)

Edited 2021-07-08 23:03 (UTC)

Willow? [her older half-brother asks, with a frown.] Are you quite all right.

[Like Willow, Anafiel is red-haired, though his is threaded with grey. He's a literature professor at the local university, specializing in medieval poetry.]

Mm? [Her initial reaction before blinking a couple times to see her older brother. Unsure as to be truthful and he suspected for one of those Voidtreckers, she opts for a small lie.]

Y-yes, just a headache from work. Stubborn patients refusing to sit still and a child hitting me with her toy because her mother didn't stop her.

[She motions for him to sit down if he'd like, not planning on going anywhere yet.]

[He sits down by her.] That's perfectly reasonable, you know. Not to mention those lights... they quite gave me a headache myself.

[Masumi's just passing by the cafe when she spots someone in orange there. It could be a coincidence, she knows, but what if...

She's going to go talk to her, just in case.]

Hey, that's a bit of an interesting colour choice these days. Not worried about being confused for a Voidtrecker? [While she won't out and out accuse people of being Voidtreckers, since that's a quick way to get people upset and not wanting to talk to her, she does need a reason to talk to someone she doesn't know. As such, she keeps her tone light and non accusatory, trying to not flat out say she's suspicious.]

[while it's true that her colours she tends to wear seem to be the ones to watch out for, Willow knows she's not one of those Voidtreckers. How could she be when she's lived her her whole life and even adopted a son and has a husband?

So when Masumi comes up to her, Willow shakes her head with a small laugh.]

No, not at all. I've worn these colours long before the threat of those people happened. I was always told orange like this looks good on me, even with my hair.

I do see the worry, it is one of their colours sadly.

Hmmm.

[ There's a young woman standing not too far away from Willow now, her face also turned toward the sky. Selene's not quite herself today either, far too bothered by the strange things that have been happening around them. She tries, of course, to maintain her usual air of nonchalance and confidence, to some small measure of success.

Behind her, though they keep a respectful distance, are her bodyguards, the pair of them wearing crisp suits and dark sunglasses. ]

Didn't think birds could fly so high, they'd look like they disappeared.

[Willow's attention goes first to the guards and then to Selene, mentally raising an eyebrow at all of them. The woman must be of some importance to be guarded, but it's no business of hers to ask why they were there.]

Neither did I, and I work with birds who can fly at some heights in my free time. None of them get so high they disappear from my sight.

[ Selene squints then turns her face away, feeling her eyes and head hurt from staring at the sky a little too long. She blinks a couple of times before staring down at the ground instead.

Then she shakes her head and looks back at Willow. ] Sorry. Guess I shouldn't have done that. You work with birds?

[although sizhui's quite used to the cafe already being overpopulated, when he goes in today it seems to be an extra lucky day— that is if ‘lucky’ can be the proper word for running into his boyfriend's aunt!

after having spotted her at a nearby table while in line, he takes whatever time necessary to collect his drink (and gathers his nerve during it), politely thanks the barista then makes his way toward willow, hoping he doesn't look as nervous as he feels, even though he knows there's a shift in his expression when he softens. sizhui inhales slowly, steadily, huffs and at least manages the faintest smile before he moves close enough to greet her,] Hello, miss.

Are you feeling okay? [considering she's rubbing her temples and all, it seems fair to ask. this is also very much an appropriate conversation-starter in his opinion.]

[Even with it being crowded, Willow enjoys this cafe. It helps her unwind a little bit and she can relax before going home, not to mention the drinks were too damn good to pass up. Even with the headache she's nursing at the moment.

The "hello" has her looking up, puzzled at who it was attempting to converse with her before she remembers the boy from a picture Dennis had shown her. Oh! It was his boyfriend, Sizhui! She'd wanted to meet the boy and her chance was given.]

Just a long day at work. Working at a hospital with unruly patients and children can do a number on you. [There's a smile and a motion to sit down if Sizhui wants to.] It's nice to actually see the person Dennis fancies in person, Sizhui if I recall?

[see, willow's a far braver soul than he is because while the overcrowdedness doesn't necessarily bother him, it absolutely would if he'd been nursing a headache. too much noise makes them worse in his case but hey, at least the drinks are one-hundred-percent worth it.

his smile widens somewhat, head nodding both in affirmation to her remark about rowdy patients and children and the recalling of his name.]

Yes, you're correct. [also, please just... ignore how his cheeks blush faintly when she says ‘fancies’ like that. he moves to sit once offered, sets his cup down, though keeps his fingers clasped around it for the warmth.] And you are Willoh— [whoops, he probably should've asked first, but.] Uhm, as long as it's okay to call you by your first name, that is?

[She's certain she's dealt with worse than crowded places and a headache, with her line of work. But she smiles brightly with an accepting nod.]

Please, go ahead. The only people who call me by my last name are my patients. Such a polite young man though, Dennis is a lucky boy.

[don't mind the very much approving and playful smirk on her face.]

[okay, that is entirely fair, but this situation is also understandable too! in hopes to at least ease some of the distress, sizhui returns the gesture.]

Perfect, I was hoping you would be alright with it. [in spite of himself, he downcasts his gaze after the compliment, raises his free hand and sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.] Goodness, I'm flattered... but thank you so much. That's quite the praise coming from you!

[given how much sizhui knows about her. (from listening to dennis, of course!) ...isn't that right? odd, how it feels like the opposite, yet only for a fleeting moment that has him disguising his confused headshake as further embarrassment.]

[ Her patient is someone that's been seen, but just needs a check-over before he's released. A young man who got in a scuffle after being accused of being a Voidtrecker, for the crime of liking the colour blue.

He has an expression that matches someone whose day has been ruined by such an encounter: he sits in a bed, disgruntled, blue hoodie removed on the chair with scorch marks along the upper side of one arm. Across the side of his cheek, his nose, and over the top of his arm, healing patches have been placed.

Fire was involved, and the dressing should have hopefully fixed him up before it can leave any scarring. But he sure is glaring daggers up at the ceiling!! ]

[A long sigh and a head shake cokes from her as she walks in the small area where Tidus is, and fortunately for him she has the healing skills to get rid of those burns if they're bad enough. Or if there's enough complaining about them.

Like him, she's got the unfortunate colour choice of those Voidtreckers, only hers is a paler orange and some patients have gone nuts on seeing her. Even lunging to attack her! It's been a day and the headaches accompanying that don't help with her thinning patience.

At least she should get on with the basics and confirm things so he can be on his way.]

Tidus, correct? I was told you were in a fight resulting in you getting burns. [Checking her tablet with information on it, arching an eyebrow.] Before I can release you, is there any place where you would need any extra healing beyond those patches?

[ He drags himself to sit up a bit more, in that space between his head being leaned against the wall, but he's dipped himself enough that he can't immediately see her. It's his name that gets his attention, a sharp exhale that turns into a grumble, weight shifted.

He looks at her for a second, a small puzzled expression crossing his face-- it's the red of her hair getting his attention, right?-- before he holds out the burnt arm, twisting it with a wince. ]

The upper patch is really itchy 'round the back. [ He tries to show her the back of his arm on the upper side. ] Is that normal? I dunno- never had a guy decide to throw a fireball at me.

[ That he's real sour about. ]

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Willow Amarina (Willow Aikawa) | OC | Voidtrecker (Orange)

day 2

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Day 1

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Day 4

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day 2

Help, cloudson is too cute waaah

this isn't even his final form (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ

Bless him

omg her as well though, she's too kind 😔

day 2

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