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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I. Man About Town
For the most part, the first day seemed to be normal in WangJi’s opinion. He didn’t give much thought to the announcement about these strange people known as “Voidtreckers”. He hadn’t seen anyone who fit the description that they had always been told they looked like. The most concern that he put into it was because he was worried for his family. He didn’t want anything to happen to them. It was what he was supposed to do, of course.

He spent the day about his job, tending to the city’s animals, the pets of those who lived there. It was not always the most pleasant job as animals did tend to get hurt, but it was rewarding. It made the animals feel better and it made their owners happy.

It was a long day at work, but he never minded it. As he was leaving the office, he said back to those still inside, “Have a good evening.” As he turned to leave, he accidentally bumped into someone. “Excuse me.”

II. Closed to household
WangJi returned home from his shift at the office. It was nice to be home, to be able to spend time with those he cared about most.

Near the end of the evening, he began to realize things were weird. The illusion was breaking down and he could begin to see through it. He could finally recognize his “family” as Voidtreckers… as well as himself.

He would, of course, become very quiet at this point.

III. After...
WangJi could see through the veil today. He could see how this worked. But he also remembered all of the propaganda about the Voidtreckers so he was aware that he had to be careful now so that he did not make others suspicious.

But as he attempted to go about “normal” business, he made sure that was keeping an eye out for others recognized as fellow Voidtreckers, even if he didn’t know if they would recognize him. But he also made sure that he was wearing something blue on his person.

Wei Wuxian is, at best, dramatic when he wants to stand out, and right now he's of mixed minds. The Voidtreckers as a concept are leaned against everything the city's propoganda was currently touting.

It feels familiar in no way he appreciates, but he supposes the upside is there's no hideous drawings of any of them pasted up around so far.

Still, what he doesn't strictly expect to do is run across a familiar face when he's coming back in to the apartment complexes everyone lived in. Easier to question when he knew about the illusion: not that vertical living didn't make a kind of sense, but it doesn't track for a city to think it both is large and small at the same time, with no easy means of tracking how these immensely powerful illusions are managing what they do. Paused at the entrance of an alley he was about to exit, he cups his hands around his mouth and leans around the corner, calling after the man who'd passed by.

"Psst! Lan Zhan! Do you remember the rabbit on the moon?"

Yes, it had seemed rather similar to WangJi as well, though not as personal as it would have been to WuXian. Still, he could see how it was nearly like the persecution of WuXian or the persecution of the Wens after the Sunshot Campaign.

WangJi just happened to be passing by. He had heard the sound of another around, but he hadn't yet seen him. There were enough people that just hearing people didn't mean anything. But he heard that voice after he had passed the alley and he stopped.

Even though WuXian couldn't see it yet, there was a faint smile on his face.

"I remember it. That was a good story."

Yes, he remembered.

It's an oblique enough reference that in most cases, with mistaken identities (he's not allowing that it couldn't happen, as much as his sense of energies here has him doubting the people are anything but genuine), there shouldn't have been a positive response. When there is, he grins, slipping fully out of the alleyway and jogging up to Lan Zhan's side.

"Good, good! How long have you been able to see past the, ah, illusion of this life, Lan Zhan?" He rubs his arms, as if shivering, though he's fine with the temperature. "This place takes the idea of living in someone's weird sort of dream to a whole other level, don't you think?"

The more rhetorical question is followed by one that merits more solemnity and concern from him. "How many of the Trainlings have you run into so far, Lan Zhan?"

WangJi turned to look at him as WuXian came jogging out of the alleyway to join him. It was good to find others who were also able to see through the illusion and knew that they were Voidtreckers... trapped in a rather hostile environment.

"Since the end of the first day. It happened rather abruptly." Since then he's pretty much been wandering around pretending everything was normal. "Yes, this place is very strange. It has me rather concerned."

Trainlings? An interesting thing to call them. "A few. Not as many as I would have hoped. Strange that you should have that lesson and then we end up here."

Until the lynch mobs started, this was relatively friendly! (It was not relatively friendly. Wei Wuxian needed better standards.)

"Haaah, I wish it were strange. How many situations touching on similar to this have we been dealing with, ah? Only to have it on this level... Lan Zhan, have you felt this city? Been seeing its form with eyes that aren't eyes?"

Wei Wuxian, with the particulars of the 'power' he had here, and his own skillset and lack of, ah, deep pools of qi storage, leaned into what he knew best. Sussing out the energy of the area, the emotional tones, things like that.

He smiled, more subdued. "I'm in contact with three of us from home, and a fourth, the other me, through this weird... prove there are or aren't ghosts in this city. Which by the way, I'm pretty sure the only ghosts in this place are the ones who arrived with us." As that was relevant, at least to him. "Jiang Cheng has a family of sorts here, also more Trainlings. Have you seen either Sizhui?"

Real worries, to a man who'd lost his son once, and had not found him in the chaotic months from his "return" so much as have said son eventually remember who he'd been, a lifetime ago.

Well, they weren't actively chasing anyone with lit torches... but then again as far as he knew they had been doing pretty well at keeping it under wraps. But yes, better standards.

"The city is strange. The situation is not though it has been a while since facing such decidedly hostile environment."

If you didn't count a certain cave or a certain temple...

He nodded his head. "I am with one of the other yous and the family that was assigned to him. I have been keeping an eye out, but I have not seen Sizhui."

He paused for a moment to glance out of the corner of his eye to make sure no one was standing around watching them.

Lan WangJi | Voidtrecker | Blue Team

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