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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"That's me," Inigo replies. At the same time he's putting down his cup to grab that hand. The one benefit he's going on for him here is that he sure is a lot less shy around guys than girls - though the fact that this is a blind date kind of situation does make him have a bit of flutters in his stomach.

But it's cool. It's fine. He can pretend to be totally cool about this. That's the way he wants to come across so desperately.

So he puts the most relaxed smile on his face he can muster right now.

"Go ahead and sit down. Sorry, I didn't order for you yet - had no idea what you might want to drink."

"Don't worry about it." Prompto said easily and he sat down across from him. "I gave them my order when I came in, so they'll bring it over when it's ready."

He said that like he'd ordered some complex monstrosity. Maybe he had.

"Tidus told me you're a dancer. Do you like it?"

Oh gosh. Thankfully Inigo isn't quite as embarrassed about his hobby here as he'd normally be, since he's not trying to keep it as much of a secret.. But still, the combination of hearing it coming from the other's mouth so easily coupled with the fact that Tidus apparently already gave Prompto an introduction about him is.. a lot.

"Ah.. yeah." He smiles, genuine though awkward, and rubs the back of his head. "It's my hobby. And.. one day my job, I hope, but I'm not quite sure I'm good enough for that. For now I'm just taking up a room at the dance studio after classes are over."

He shakes his head, not wanting the attention to linger on him for too long.

"How about you? Do you have any hobbies?"

"I hope so too, if it's your dream." Prompto smiled brightly.

"Well, I play soccer with Tidus, that's pretty fun and I usually play a lot of video games with my best friend Noctis." He chuckled.

"I'm a photographer for work, which is also my hobby."

So that's where Tidus knew Prompto from. Inigo should've figured, really. Of course that guy would only know other people through sports of all things. The total jock.

And Inigo isn't too much of a sports person himself. But there's something else to focus on here - something that sounds a lot more interesting, and that actually makes him look at Prompto curiously.

"What do you take photos of?"

Of course Inigo just can't resist a creative hobby, even if he himself mostly just focuses on dancing.

"Mostly I take pictures of buildings I like and natural settings. I mean, outside of work. I work at a studio, so there it's all families which isn't as interesting as doing it for fun is." Prompto chattered on with a smile.

"I really like it when the lighting is perfect, and things like sunsets and that sort of thing. They end up really artistic. Lots of colour."

Hey, Inigo will gladly let Prompto chatter on about this. After all, the whole idea of this being a date is so much easier to tolerate - read: not get flustered about - when they're just talking about something like this. It's easier to focus on, and Inigo does seem to be listening pretty attentively, a smile on his face.

"You sound passionate about it." Which is something he likes, really. There's truly nothing quite like seeing creative people get passionate about their work. "You should show me your photos sometime. You know.. If you're okay with that."

He knows people can get shy about their craft too.

(He knows he does.)

"Yeah, totally, I don't mind!" Prompto gushed. "I just uh, didn't bring my camera on the date because I thought that might be weird."

That would be weird, wouldn't it? Although it felt like something was missing when he was without it.

"I've been taking pictures since I was about eight."

He laughs. "What, were you afraid I was going to get jealous of the camera?"

It's a joke a bit bolder than Inigo might usually make - might usually genuinely make, anyway - but maybe it's since Prompto looks as nervous about this whole experience as Inigo himself feels. It makes it a bit easier to pull himself back up, if not slightly.

"But that's such a long time! You must've gotten the chance to get pretty good after doing it that long."

He giggles. "No, no, it's just I think people might find it weird if I was snapping pictures all the time."

That didn't seem quite right either. What a strange feeling he had every so often.

"I like to think so. I'm hoping someday to be able to work for a magazine instead of a portrait studio, you know? But it's hard to get that kind of work."

Don't worry, Prompto. Inigo wouldn't find it all that weird. As long as the pictures aren't of him, anyway, since his shyness at that very idea is just about shooting right up into the sky. Goodbye world.

But the next part.. it makes him smile, though there's something a little sadder around the edges. It's faint, though, and his expression is mostly just sympathetic.

"Yeah.. I get that." The artistic struggle. "It often feels like there's so little jobs in any creative area that making your way in there is kind of impossible. But at the same time it's hard to just give up on your passion, right..?"

"Oh, no, I'm not gonna give up. Besides, I'm not really good at much." Prompto chuckled. "I wasn't like a good student or anything? Just okay. There's no real reason to go school or anything."

He considered that. "But I mean, at least portraits pay the bills for now. That's something. I can keep applying and working on my portfolio."

He leans back into his seat, letting out a laugh.

At least it seems to be a good-spirited one, rather than one making fun of him. Though Inigo can't resist teasing the other just a little bit when he speaks up with: "Is that how you try to impress a date? Tell them how bad of a student you were?"

"Ha, well I mean..." Prompto chuckled. "It's not a lie? Does that help?"

Was Inigo looking for someone smarter than Prompto? Uh oh. He wasn't sure he could bring that to the table. He was kind of just average.

At least Inigo does - usually - realise when a joke is pushing a bit too far. So when he sees Prompto's response, he dials it back a bit. His cheeky grin shrinks to a more genuine smile as he shakes his head.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Do you think I look like an honours student?" Certainly not. There was no judging Prompto at all for his grades, just some good, light-hearted fun. This is supposed to be a date, after all, so Inigo's trying his best.

"You really don't have to worry about impressing me."

"Haha, well I'm not too worried. Kinda doesn't matter when you graduate right? I graduated, that's the important part!"

It was a weird sort of wisdom, but that was true enough. He didn't intend on post-secondary education, he never had.

Clearly that's the important part. Inigo isn't ever going to judge anyone by their grades. Personality is a lot more important than intelligence anyway, right? Who cares about a smart asshole when you can have a nice idiot!

"Not like you needed to do more than that to chase your dream." Which is what Prompto is doing now! Not that he's fully gotten there yet, but.. "That's much more important than having some fancy boring job, don't you think?"

"That's true, it's way more fun to do that kind of thing than like an office job or something. Ugh. Sounds way too boring." Prompto said with a chuckle.

"I mean, you're not doing that, are you? I don't mean to like, be insulting."

He chuckles.

Look, it's just funny and kind of cute that Prompto already said it, only remembering the potential trouble he's getting himself into a few moments later. It makes Inigo smile.

"No, I don't do that. I am still going to school."

Though it's not with the intention of getting a boring office job, okay!!

"I'd prefer not getting that sort of job either, but.. you never know where life takes you, right? Maybe dancing might not work out for me in the end after all. And it's not like I can just freeload off other people all my life either. It wouldn't be right."

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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