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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Exposition. ((Mostly here to scene set rather than serve as its own prompt -- prompts further down.))

Three years are up.

Maybe she wouldn't come.

Maybe she's changed.

Maybe she's forgotten.

In reality, Lapis believes none of these things.

Her former partner is as inevitable as the tide. If there were an ocean between them, Jasper would tromp through it, step by deliberate step until she reached the shore. Single-minded. She knows what she wants. She gets it.

There was a time when that used to be attractive. When combining efforts with Jasper used to be freeing. That much power, their abilities playing readily off one another . . . they were untouchable, inevitable together. It was heady. No one could touch her. No one could begin to touch her.

No one could begin to touch them.

She misses that. Of course she misses that. While she never particularly cared about what they stole, she misses the havoc they could cause. Alarms blaring. The shattering squeal of metal blasted from its hinges. The fear in someone's eyes the moment before the glass twisted their limbs.

In that moment, she was someone. Someone worthy of being seen. Being feared.

Without Jasper, she's simply Lapis. In the last three years, she hasn't known if that was okay. There's a part of her that feels chipped away from a greater whole, incomplete. Jasper's inevitability, her unshakable confidence, were a support. A grounding point.

But in the end . . . a crutch. Only after their defeat did Lapis realize how much. She'd had a year in prison to think about it -- probably would have had longer had she not testified against Jasper.

She'd torn away the scaffolding holding her up . . . and in the aftermath, even years later, was trying to figure out how to stand.

But the years were up. Jasper was coming. Inevitable.

It was only a matter of time.

Prompts

A. You've rounded a corner and nearly run into a villain. Or rather, a former one. You likely remember her image from the news or the network -- a lengthy crime spree three years ago with a bearlike woman as a partner, stealing masses of gold and diamonds from bank vaults. (Or maybe even you fought her once yourself at that point.) Heroes fighting them had found themselves encased in glass, twisted into statues of themselves.

She'd served a year (whispered that she'd sold her partner out for more), then was free.

If it's any comfort, you don't seem to be who she expected either. Jumping back, she's yelped loud enough to startle eyes in your direction from across the street, scattering a mass of canvas and tubes of paint across the sidewalk. A paintbrush is about to roll into the gutter.

B. The wind coming off the river is fresh, light. You'll find Lapis in one of two ways: Painting, attempting to capture the movement of the water with watercolor on canvas, her brow furrowed in quiet, frustrated absorption, or having abandoned her easel, climbing to the second rung of the guard railing, thin knees braced against the last rung as she breathes in the wind. She looks very much like she might take flight -- or at least that she'd like to. The gem embedded between her shoulderblades gleams faintly, a quiet, shimmering blue like sunlight on dark water.

C. Not Lapis at all -- she's gathered up her things and left as the sun sinks lower -- but you find another woman making her way up the riverbank. She's well over six feet in height, perhaps closer to seven, with massive hands that look as though they could readily twist metal. The railing as she grasps it whines a high-pitched, pleading note as she hauls herself up, the thick, metal rod of it looking nearly fragile in her hands.

Golden eyes flick over you, and despite her size, she hefts herself over the bars as though her own weight were nothing. Like Lapis, it's very likely she's familiar . . . for the same reasons.

Edited 2021-07-09 02:27 (UTC)

Loki, as a Hero well-known in his home city if not necessarily here, definitely recognizes the famous villain Lapis when he runs into her. He even knew that she had been released from prison. Like most Heroes, he was told to keep an eye on her if he saw her, just in case, but that someone was handling her should she start to cause trouble again.

He steps back and gives her a long look. "Lapis," he greets her, coolly.

Lapis had scrambled for the rolling brush, her fingertips just brushing it when the cool voice pierces through the fluster. While she doesn't know the voice, she knows the tone, and when the owner of said tone knows her name--

Her eyes shift up to him, guarded. Slipping the paintbrush into her fingers, she pulls herself to her feet, for the moment disregarding the other scattered supplies around her feet. Though she doesn't look around her, she's conscious of the eyes on them both; her cry has made people wonder, and some of them have likely recognized her, possibly recognized Loki. A number have kept watching, wondering what happens next.

She feels those watching eyes. And hates them.

"If you're here to check on me, you're going to be disappointed."

Because who but a Hero would openly show that he knows her name? Who else would bother? In and of itself, it's like a small display of power.

Loki does have enough sympathy for her to give any watchers a reassuring smile and relax his stance. If she truly does regret her crimes and gone straight, he would be in the wrong to ruin her new life. But if she hasn't...

"That's not my job. I'm here on other business. But that does entail me reminding you to stay on your best behavior for the foreseeable future. We're not in the mood to deal with extra trouble right now."

Is this simple condescension, or does he know about Jasper? Lapis watches him a moment, eyes flat, discerning.

"If you know my name and know my face enough to recognize me, then you also know I haven't done anything for you -- or anyone like you -- to bother with."

Heroes. Maybe some aren't all bad. She knows of at least one who isn't. But they're full of themselves, smug and confident in their own self-appointed superiority.

And maybe that irritation is what makes her add: "Even though I'm sure that makes you disappointed."

Loki sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "I'm not disappointed. Just giving a version of the same warning I give to anyone who might cause trouble. We are on high alert, and none of us want to deal with extra problems."

He looks at her slightly softer. "Do you know any Heroes that you would trust to report to, if you notice anything troubling?"

"Anyone who might cause trouble" is irritating, because it still means they believe her to be one of the "anyone." She's caught slightly off guard, though, by the lightening of his expression and the question that comes with it.

"Troubling how?"

There's certainly a lot in the world that could fall under that category. It's more likely that he has something in mind.

The part about the hero she doesn't address yet.

"Any strangeness since the ribbons in the sky appeared. Strangers asking you odd questions or who seem to know more about you than they should. Or just odd things about yourself."

He draws his hand along his face. "This is a difficult time for everyone, but it is made easier when we can talk through it. You are a law-abiding citizen now, and entitled to the same protections as any others. If you have concerns about current events to report, you should not feel unable to for fear that it would bring suspicion down on you."

Voidtreckers. She's seen the gossip, the colors in the sky, but honestly, with all of the powers in this city, strangeness can be par for the course, and her mind has been preoccupied. She's barely thought much about it.

"Voidtreckers." She says the word that he doesn't aloud. "Aren't they just an urban legend?"

Should she really be fearful? Without concrete evidence (and the sky is questionable concrete evidence), they seem more like smoke -- one of those stories people like to whisper to one another. Jasper is far more tangible by comparison.

He shakes his head regretfully. "If they were, I would not be here in Jinnjar City. They are enough of a threat that the authorities are pulling in heroes from other cities."

"What are they threatening?"

At least the attention is off her for the moment -- enough so that she feels comfortable enough to crouch and begin to collect her things. She's still attuned, though, to any movements of Loki. Just in case.

"The city. The world. All of us. Haven't you noticed... strange thoughts since the sky changed?"

Loki can see the tension in her posture so he won't make any sudden movements. Not even crouching down as well to help her or nudge items into her line of sight. He will look out for any that she might miss, though.

It's not the strangest sight to see, really. A person hanging around on the railing, messing around - something Tidus would do in an instant. He slows though, has been as of late; like there's something off about everything, familiar but not. The blue of that figure; he's not familiar with it from this angle, but there's... what is it? Like a small conversation, a smile fond and real.

"Hey," he speaks up, trying not to startle her, but- "You lose something?"

Or, hopefully, she was just chilling.

Unfortunately, despite his care, she's fairly easily startled. Her eyes dart to him, and she wobbles a little with the suddenness of her movement -- though squats to grab the third rung, catching herself.

"Yes." The word comes immediately, without thought. She catches that too, confusion flitting through her face, and shakes her head quickly, stepping down. "I mean -- no. Sorry. I just-- I think I got lost in my own thoughts. I'm okay."

A tinge of blue has flushed into her cheeks. She's been caught being strange. She shouldn't be standing out.

Another gentle gust rolls off the river, though, and for the briefest of moments she can't help it; she leans in, inhaling softly.

"The air . . . It . . . just feels good. Like if you really wanted, you could lean in and fly."

He startles when she shakes, taking quick steps towards her that stop as soon as they start. Relief that she keeps herself upright, or manages to put herself back; a sheepishness raising to his cheeks briefly as she speaks.

Tidus doesn't share her sentiment, but he looks about him anyway, trying to seek it out. But ends up saying, still the same flightless-sensing guy he is:

"Feel like you got born with the wrong power? Flying would be cool." He starts to look to the sky, but then remembers better, keeping his gaze down. "Flying over an ocean - now that'd be fun."

Her eyes light a little at that -- as though he's named something she's thought too. "It's . . . I love--"

A flicker of confusion impedes again, and she stops herself. "I mean . . . I would love that. I've loved the water since-- for a long time."

Hopefully to distract from the strange twists of her tongue, she tugs a large pad from her nearby bag, flipping it open for his view. In this case it's an attempt to capture the layers of water waves leave on sand, crisscrossing each other as one tumbles in on another's wake. "My art focuses a lot on it. Maybe between that and flight, I missed the right power after all."

Her eyes linger even now on the depiction of the waves.

Ohhh. Tidus isn't an artsy person at heart, but what he is, is a scenery guy. Especially one with the waves of a sea, the crisp sun-tanned sand and everything to be found on or between. He minds himself walking over to get a better look, expression brightening at the piece.

"Or we need to live closer to the sea. This is nice!" He nods to her, glancing approvingly. "I haven't been to the sea in ages. A pool's nice, but sometimes you just want to throw open a window and hear the waves! The smell of sea salt water around you..."

He looks back at her again. "You been out there in a boat? With a cabin, eating and sleeping away from everyone else-!"

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

Lapis Lazuli | Steven Universe (CRAU)

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