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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Oh good, she could hear. It was easier for Kaylin to speak out loud. Well, mostly it was easier to swear.

"Sleep?" She snorted rudely, but that snort... somehow it was also a curse word. Weird. She liked it though. "What the actual ****s is sleep?" she added, in case that hadn't been clear enough.

"Look I'm just a Pri.. corp..." what? Corporal? "Detective," she said. "**** it maybe I do need to fall out." She had been planning to watch the race, but sleep was winning over even betting right now. She'd consider curling up in the corner if it wasn't career limiting.

"Anyway, I don't get to choose my cases. If I did, I'd be..." she stopped short. Swore again. Her abilities were supposed to be secret. She was **** at keeping secrets. And right now she was almost too tired to care.

Completely deaf and perfectly fine with who she was, as it happened - but she was superb at reading lips as a result.

You do, but you also need to realize you're not just anything. Nobody is, and the fact that they don't realize it makes the world a lot worse than it should be. But you, in particular? You're meant for more.

She'd read the files. Including the ones where more senior detectives tried to hide her observations, the little leaps of logic and hunches that turned out, miraculously, to be right. But she'd seen the pattern. This one, she was the one who saw things others didn't.

Natural instinct, or an ability? She neither knew nor cared - that was private business. It could help people. If properly trained.

If you did, you'd be on the fast track to running a precinct by now. At least, if you work on that chip you're carrying around on your shoulder. And also maybe hibernate for the winter.

Indelicate? Yes. But life was short and she'd been there herself. Held back, either because she was deaf or a woman, or because someone higher up was jealous of her skills - she'd been a boiling little cauldron when she started out.

To Eli that would be even more impressive.

She was meant for more? Her? Eli? Something was clearly wrong here. A scam? Had this person taken a blow to the head? Got the wrong files? She felt... unsettled.

At the thought of her running a whole precinct she actually paled a bit. "I don't want that kind of power over anyone else's life," she said firmly.

A brief flash of memory. A girl. Words. Terror. Could she really save the world at the cost of...

Eli shook her head to clear it, confused.

She moved over to a nearby bench, sitting back and crossing her legs, stretched out. She shook her head, signing gently.

That's the bad kind of leader. And there's lots of petty tyrants out there. I replaced one, I should know.

She smiled, kindly, gesturing to a spot next to her.

I lead from the front. Every one of my officers knows that I'll be right there next to them when it counts. And they also know I've been through it all like they have. Like you have. Neither of us being politicals who have polished chairs with our posteriors for most of our careers.

It was hard to see that world from the other one, she knew. There were a lot of precincts where the chiefs ruled like recalcitrant gods. Where it was about acting like a fortress against citizens, and those places went rotten fast.

Tell me: do you still look at people in your precinct and feel guilty you can't help them all?

She had been hoarding her words, gathering them, ready to explain. Until that question. She blanched. A flash of something very like memory, a conversation between her and a male, but she only

"You can't save everyone."

Her response. "We have to try."

And his reply, "Trying is fine. Failing is inevitable. Don't let it devour you."

"It's not me that's devoured," she said, bitterly.

"Yes it is," he said. "It's just not only you. We'll get the sick ****."

"Won't bring the boy back."

"No. But it'll stop other boys from coming in like this. That's what you think about. Remember it."

She closed her eyes, pain on her face as she nodded. Her hands curled into fists and she started shaking.

She frowned at that. She'd definitely struck a deeper nerve than she'd intended to.

If I overstep, please, let me know - but if you feel it that strongly...

She sighed, nodding.

You've definitely got what it takes.

"Never argued I didn't. I want to be out there, doing good, saving people." She took a deep breath. "Your precinct has you. If you're working that **** hard, and you collect up everyone else who works that **** hard. Who the ****s protects the people outside of your precinct?" she asked.

Who had policed the fiefs? No one. Could she leave people who needed her and had less for people who needed her but already had someone doing the **** work?

I give them the space to make it up the ladder, she replies, in gentle correction. No lousy reports from jealous superiors. Then when positions open up in other places...off they go.

She couldn't be everywhere, which had been hard to accept as a rookie. But you had to develop patience, because you couldn't tear it all down but you could knock out one rotten prop after another and replace it with a pillar of gold...

She sighed.

It's not perfect, but it's what I can do. She also grins. And I rather aggressively interpret where my borders end. 'In pursuit of leads' is such a useful term.

She snorted appreciatively at that last comment, nodding. Then she sighed and leaned against the lockers. "This department isn't bad. Sure there are one or two *****s who hate me, but that's going to happen anywhere."

Oh, yes, you're gonna just coin those like a mint the more you get recognized.

She herself leaned back, watching her carefully.

So we have to ask ourselves - why aren't you moving up the ladder yet?

This was the acid test, really. Some questions told you everything.

"Thought you saw my **** records," she muttered.

Expected, and she counters.

Records are very different from reality. I'd like to hear your side of it.

"I'm not exactly good at being polite..." she muttered.

A memory washed over her. A room with a huge table. A broad older man with gold eyes. A pile of papers between them.

"You will, of course, be familiar with much of what these documents contain. These," he added, lifting a half inch's worth, "are your academic transcripts. With annotations."

"You're not supposed to have those - even I don't have don't have access to - "

"As a man who is considering accepting you as a pupil, I have, of course, obtained permission to access these."

"Oh." She hesitated and then added, "What do they say?"

"You tell me."

This wasn't going the way the previous lessons had. So far he'd failed to make mention of her "unfortunate beginnings." Which meant he'd also failed to offend her.

"I'm waiting, Kaylin."

"Probably... that I'm not very good at classroom work. Academic work, I think they call it."

He raised a brow. "That's a very short sentence for this much writing."

"They're clever, they can say the same thing over and over without using the same word twice."

At that, he did smile.

Oh, what the h***. "I'm not fond of authority."

"Good."

"I'm not fond of sitting still."

"True as well."

"I get bored easily."

"I believe the phrase was dangerous levels of boredom.'"

"I'm not great with numbers."

"You manage an argument over your pay chit at least once a month."

"Oh, well, money's different." She frowned. "They said that?"

"No, that was private investigation on my part."

"I'm a bit brusque."

"Actively rude."

"I'm blunt."

"Arrogant and misinformed."

"I'm a bit on the, um, assertive side."

"I think the previous statement covered that, as well." He put the papers down. "The rest?"

"Variations?"

"Not precisely."

She found herself muttering some of what she had said then. "I'm not fond of authority. I'm a bit brusque. I'm... a bit blunt.... And..." she sighed and pulled down her hair, which was falling apart anyway. She knotted it behind her messily again and stabbed it with her stick. "I can't be on time to save my job or my life." Though she could to save someone else's. It was easy to wake up if there was an emergency, harder to wake up for her own **** safe.

You're young, you'll learn it. Even when the other person doesn't necessarily deserve it.

She gestured at the space next to her, warmly enough.

You're describing me, when I started. I had a chip on my shoulder the size of a dinner plate. Except for the on time part. That I can help. I can put you on the Amaya training round. If you're willing. Make sure you're sleeping better, probably drinking a little less. And making sure you get a great breakfast in. Breakfast is important.

She paused, thinking over what to say next.

Look, I see you as having endless potential. I can't get you in my precinct because at least some of your superiors see that - or hate my guts enough to keep it from happening just to spite me. But I'd like to train you anyways. Off the books. Because I'm thinking about tomorrow.

She snorted again, even as she sat. "Breakfast implies money to pay for food. So does drinking for that matter." She went drinking only rarely, though oddly she had memories of hangovers there was no way she ever could have afforded.

She... said nothing about the sleep issue, because she wasn't supposed to tell anyone who didn't already know why the ****s she didn't sleep most nights. Well, except for the nightmares. Those she could talk about, she just didn't want to.

"I'm not going to turn down extra training, just don't expect too **** much."

That draws a nod.

Then show up at my place, seven in the morning, and there's a free breakfast in it for you. Most important meal of the day. We can talk theory on the walk in.

It's her next card, but it's also the acme of who Amaya is. Bold, unflinching, and when she's certain...she acts without hesitation. She kept signing.

I've got a library on theory and practice you can go through, evenings, if you want. Call it a lending library. Every day, get a good regimen going. Schedule helps. Resting helps, actual resting.

There was a pause, while she leaned forward to ensure eye contact.

And we'll get you up to Sergeant by the end of the year. Year after that, Detective. And by then...then you can decide whether or not running your own precinct is the course you want to take or not. But we'll make you into the officer who has the talent and reach to get things done for the people who need it.

She paused, adding a smile to soften the blow.

And with enough commendations along the way to make sure your enemies will shit bricks in frustration because they can't even slow you down.

HEr cat made a noise like a rude snort. "Seven.. Am? As in the morning...." Kaylin asked. The woman... HAD read her file, right? If she managed to make it into work by noon her coworkers collected on bets. There was a reason her magic lessons didn't start before...

Magic lessons? What the actual ****s? She subconsciously rubbed at her arm through her sleeve.

"I don't do books," she said, shaking her head. "Look, this is nice and all, but you're gonna hate me by the end of this **** thing once you give up on me." Cause everyone did eventually. "I don't know what the ****s potential you think you see, but I'm pretty **** sure it isn't me you're seeing."

Her look was just a bit more serious in reply.

Just because other people have given up doesn't mean I will. The past doesn't make the future. And I'm seeing what can be. Everyone deserves a chance to see how far they can go. This is yours.

She make sure to hold that eye contact through all that follows.

Which involves seven in the morning, in this case. And you'll make it. Because my breakfasts are spectacular. Fresh sausage, eggs done just right - french toast or pancakes if you're lucky. Some fruit just to round things out.

Look. You know who I am. What I stand for. What my word means. All you've got to ask yourself is if you'd rather be what you are, or what you can be.

That food sounded... amazing. Her stomach did its best to embarrass her loudly, just at the thought. "I'll try. But my roommate usually has to haul my **** out of bed as it is."

Though she supposed she could always do without sleep entirely every once in a while. Food might be worth it, given the **** sleep she usually got.

It's a hard transition. But after the first few days it gets better. Trust me, a cup of coffee? Watching the sunrise? It's a hell of a way to start the day.

To her mind, add in a warm feminine form snuggled into you and, well, it was perfection - but it worked no matter what.

It's your call, though. I won't push it. Say no, you'll never hear from me again.

"I've seen the **** sunrise," she growled. Of course, she usually saw it from the other **** side.

She rolled her eyes at the hostility, shaking her head.

Very bitey, you're right. But the offer has been made, and it'll take more bite than you've got to pierce my hide.

She stood up, with a nod.

I'll see you, or I won't. But I do believe in you. So you can grumble all you want, but - one choice would be a tragic waste.

"Like I said, I'll try."

She offered a lopsided smile, with a nod.

You'll manage it. Very bitey. The smile definitely indicated it was a compliment. Because it absolutely was.

But she threw a casual salute, moving to leave.

She rolled her eyes and went back to fighting with her locker.

Mostly she was irritated because that casual salute was significantly better than her salute when she was trying. **** it.

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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Wanna move to a new thread, time jump, or just call it? Or something else?