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

Vegeta | Red Team | OTA

[renegadeprince]

I – Living your Life
Sure stuff might be going strange right now, all that panic about the Voidtreckers, and lights in the sky, but it doesn’t stop life from going on, which included Vegeta opening up his café. Just Sayin’ is a rather simple and clean setting, almost cosy with its limited seating but still room for those who are regulars and new comers to find a spot to sit. There’s also a range of baked goods and cold items to be ordered along with a range of coffees and teas, and even a fancy sweet range for those wanting something a little bit extra.

He’s found most of his days working there, greeting those he recognizes as regulars and during quieter times either prepping stuff for later rushes or the next day, or sitting back behind the counter with a book to read and his own drink. As the days go on and those dreams happen, he’s still there but… confused and maybe a bit more curious to those changes going on around them, seeing if he can get any information from his normal customers if they too feeling the same thing.

II – Behind the Scenes
Even after the day ends Vegeta will be around the café once it closes, but not in the front area. Instead he will move into the back area, it dramatically different to the front; hard metal surfaces, everything extremely clean and with the slight smell of disinfectant in the air, cabinets of medical supplies locked away until they were needed. All with a door set up with an intercom so he can be warned and decide who to let in. It was a medical stop for the powered beings in the city, a safe place to go to get patched up either with conventional means or via Vegeta’s own powers of healing. And he’s seen a range of damage come through that door.

While this will be available during the day as well for emergencies, it’s after dark where Vegeta will camp down until the early hours of the morning for any incidents that need his help.

Wildcard

OOC: Let me know if you want earlier, oblivious Vegeta, or later in the event and starting to question stuff.

Living Your Life

[nutkrusher]

It's a good thing Cassie has always gotten along reasonably well with her new father-in-law, because she goes to this place all the fuckin' time. She waves, smiles, and nods as she enters the shop.

"Morning, Vegeta. How's business?"

[renegadeprince]

Looking up from the surface he was cleaning, Vegeta gives it one more wipe down before moving back behind the counter. "Hey Cass, pretty good. Want your normal?" Though despite the question he's already moving to do so, assuming the answer despite asking for one.

[nutkrusher]

"Sure would," Cassie says, already smiling as Vegeta moves to prepare her iced mochaccino before she's even asked.

"Nice to have at least something normal to fall back on when the sky turns to rainbow fucking sherbet."

[renegadeprince]

"It's... something." A bit strange, sure, and he's curious to what the hell is going on, but it doesn't seem like they'll get any answers, other than the main one they have had repeated over and over again. "Heard they blaming those Void Treckers again. Not that anyone should be surprised by that." And maybe it was them, but it's not like they were letting out any information on it one way or another.

[nutkrusher]

"Hey, has to be their fault sometime, right?" Cassie says. "I still don't know who took my favorite pair of sunglasses."

[renegadeprince]

Vegeta let out a sarcastic 'tsk' of a laugh at her comment, smirking as he worked, "Yes, I'm sure they came down to the city just to mess with your place and nothing else." Putting the finishing touches to the drink before moving back to the counter to hand it over to her.

"Who the hell knows," He answers for the most serious topic. "For all the powers around maybe it's just someone who's gained... I donno, sky control?" Was that a thing? "Not like it's really doing anything, yet."

[nutkrusher]

"Hey, I'm a pillar of this community," Cassie says. "If my sunglasses go, who knows what happens next? I handled it pretty well, but if I hadn't, there could have been chaos in the streets."

She smirks as she grabs her drink - a grin that disappears as they move on to the more serious topic at hand.

"Whatever they might say, I don't think they'd have mentioned it if there wasn't something for them to worry about."

[renegadeprince]

"I don't think you need an excuse of missing sunglasses to be a source of chaos." A bit of a smile to show he's joking, but also not. Cassie can handle herself, he knows that, and get up to trouble if she really wanted to.

"Eh, yeah," Vegeta's lip curled up in annoyance with that, less so about the sky and more the lack of information on it all. "Be good to know something at least. Have had a few come through with headaches for it." He may not advertise it out front of the store but family knew what he did, as did most of the powered people in the city. He took anyone in needing to be patched up, didn't matter if they were for the law or against it, it didn't matter to Vegeta. Better they're alive and able to be stopped than out right dead. "Still not quite sure what it's doing, if it's effecting the eyes or the brain. Something just... off after looking too long." He really needs more people, and in more dire conditions, to get a real feel of what was going on, but he's certainly not going to ask for volunteers to risk that in case it was something dangerous.

[nutkrusher]

"Hurtful," Cassie says, still smirking as she slides the cash plus tip across.

"I ran into someone trying to fly up to it this morning. It didn't go great for 'em."

Living your Life

[outofyourshadow]

Stepping into the shop, Lena took a moment to breathe in the delightful scent of coffee and baked goods. There was always something comforting about the feel and smells of a coffee shop.

Walking over to the display case, she studied over the different pastries, trying to decide which one to get.

[renegadeprince]

Vegeta's seated behind the counter at this point, his own hot drink in hand as he reads a book from the other. Lena's entrance gets him to raise his eyes to see who it is, quiet for a moment to allow her to look around and see her options, before he takes a sip of his drink. "Give me a yell when you figure out what you want."

[outofyourshadow]

She glances up for a moment, then back down at the display case. "Got any recommendations? Can't seem to make up my mind."

[renegadeprince]

"Hm," Vegeta hummed out as he put his book down, wandering over from his seat to lean an arm against the top counter. "Depends what you like. Started carrying a new fruit tart range, good for want something sweet but not too much, plus looks good in photos." He may not care too much about social media, but he knows the whole 'pictures of food' thing is, well, a thing. "The pain au chocolat's pretty popular too, pairs well with a dark roast. Or if want something more subtle, the scones are freshly made and comes with a choice of spreads for it. Good with tea or coffee."

[outofyourshadow]

While she didn't really consider herself a scone person, she found herself lingering on them for a bit. "Hmm...what usually goes good with a scone? Cream, or jam?"

[renegadeprince]

"The jam's pretty good by itself, but they work better together. Got a selection of different types of jam too, also honey, and butter, which is pretty good with them warmed up." Vegeta offers up to her. "Pairs well with both tea or coffee, or even something more sweetened." Of course he's tried everything he sells. He may be able to eat pretty much anything, but Vegeta still had his favorites, and tried to keep a mix of popular items, and new stuff for his customers to try.

[outofyourshadow]

"Hmm...I think I'll try a scone," she says after a moment. "What kind of jams are there?"

Behind the Scenes

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Frickin' damn heroes! What kind of hero shoots first anyway?"

Medical care can be very difficult when you're a villain. Oh, Zed's company had great health insurance, make no mistake, but even despite his power as the CEO, he knew perfectly well that showing up with a tingling arm right after a hero zapped a bank robber in the exact same arm would raise a couple of eyebrows. So instead, he came here.

Inappropriately, Zed teleported directly into the cafe back area -- then paused, and immediately disappeared again. A moment later, the intercom buzzed.

[renegadeprince]

...goddamnit Zed. Vegeta's doing a quick check of his stock when Zed very clearly showed up in the room, only to vanish again before that buzzer went. He lets out a sigh as he scratches at his forehead, eyes closed for a moment as he shakes his head then heads to the door. He's pretty sure he knows who is on the other side of it.

Opening it up, he stares at Zed for a long moment, before stepping aside. "Get in. What's it this time?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Electrical incident," he said, reflexively shaking his numbed arm. "I got zapped, now I'm not feeling things properly. I figure it'll pass, but better safe than sorry when it comes to health, right?"

Stupid electricity. Why couldn't it just be a punch or a kick? He could handle those just fine!

[renegadeprince]

Vegeta just pointed to the table as he closed the door behind Zed, not bothering to tell him to sit there and just letting him speak. He also knows better than to ask how this happened. He doesn't want to know. It wasn't important for what he was doing here.

Once Zed has got himself situated, Vegeta heads over to his side, taking up the arm he indicated before pressing down on each of Zed's fingers in turn, lightly squeezing them between his thumb and finger. "Can you feel any of this?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Sorta... dull?" Zed shut his eyes, making sure he wasn't fooled into just thinking so. "Yeah, it's dull and tingly, like it's asleep except a lot MORE so."

[renegadeprince]

Good. "I don't think it'll do any long term or major damage, most likely pass on it's own. If it had hit you somewhere else it may had been different." Not that he's going to tell Zed to stop doing whatever he's doing. He doesn't care what he gets up to. Before he goes any further, Vegeta asks. "Anything else?"

[badassfreakingoverlord]

"Oh, that's good." Zed flexed his arm a couple times, as if somehow that would fix the whole numbness and tingling thing. Obviously it didn't. "Uh, is it normal to get headaches looking at the stuff in the sky?"

[renegadeprince]

"I'll still fix it up for you before you leave, just don't go repeating what caused it for a couple of days." Even Zed shouldn't be that stupid to go running back into whatever he's up to again. Hopefully.

Placing a hand on Zed's shoulder of his injured arm, Vegeta raised a brow at the next question, then let out a sigh. "Seems to be now days. It's effecting everyone who looks too long. Just don't look at it." Then just in case, "And if you do and it doesn't go away, come and see me again." Vegeta is curious to know just what is going on with that, how it's effecting people, what it's doing to the body, but short of having more information on it there's not much he can do. His healing is also subtle, no overly flashy lights or signs, just a warm feeling flowing through his palm and through the injured area. After a few moments he moved back. "There, should be fine, if not, come back and see me."