middleofsomewhere | 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

“The truth.” She said. Stepping back, she struck a pose. “Guardian of the New Moon, New Sailor Moon! We are not the enemy and, as far as I know, never have. And I don’t think the girl who showed me my room would think that either.”

“If you want an enemy, here I am.”

"YOU--!?" Her temper flared for a moment before it withdrew. This girl... she was a Voidtrekker! The time for anger had passed. Now was a time for action.

"...by my authority of a Cadet of the Marine Protection Task Force, I am placing you under arrest on suspicion of being a Voidtrekker. Please come quietly, and submit yourself for further questioning."

Her stance, however, was ready for this girl to defy that order. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she wasn't going to be caught off guard.

“Forgive me, but I can’t.” Sailor Moon said. “If we have to fight, then be warned I will not go quietly.”

She had no idea what she could do or how to counter it just yet…

"It is not not intention to fight you." She commanded as she assumed a defensive stance, "but I am also not going to let you leave. If you will not come quietly, then I must take more extreme measures to apprehend you."

"This is your final warning." Honestly... she was hoping to see her make the first move, but if it was not going to come then she will have to. Not knowing her powers was going to make this dangerous, but she saw no other choice.

Sailor Moon sighed softly before summoning the Moon Stick, the long staff appearing in her hands.

“Then, I’ll have to take you down myself.” She said, swinging the wand and firing a wave of magic at Mimi.

Oh fishsticks, a magic user. Mimi had no magical-based attacks or protection at all, except against anything water-base, making this match-up most definitely in the other girl's favor. What she did have, though, was agility. Through years of swimming underwater the agile octogirl fluidly dodged the magic attack.

She had only one chance. If she needed to wave that staff to fire a shot, then she needed to prevent that from happening. Disarm her, or prevent the staff from making the arc.

That second was risky, but the easiest of the two to do. As soon as she landed she began to break the distance between them, hoping to intercept her before she got another attack out.

Sailor Moon grunted. She was getting too close to her. She wouldn’t be able to fire another shot, opting to use her wand as a staff instead. She swung the butt of it at Mimi, intending on knocking her away.

“Wake up! This isn’t you!”

The butt landed, causing the arm to smart. That was a trick to be expected, but if she could manage that more than the magical ones. Then there was the words the girl said. "Don't act like you know me!" What was up with that?

No, she was just trying to psych her out. She shot her hand out to reach for her wrists, a pair of electric cuffs ready to make the arrest. She was close, just needed to get that on both of the wrists... and!!

“Hnn! No!”

Sailor Moon grunted as one of the cuffs connected with her wrists, pulling her other hand away in time. But that just meant she needed one shot to grab the other!

“I can’t let you do this!” She said. She would try to swing her away, to prevent her other wrist from being cuffed

Dang it!

She had the perfect chance to make the arrest, but the quick action prevented her from finishing it quickly. Still, one hand was cuffed, and for the moment she was still holding onto the wrist with the cuff.......

...it was risky. Dare she say, probably stupid. But there was one thing Mimi could do to make sure this evil doer was brought to justice.

Before she could pull away, Mimi took the other half of the cuff and snapped it across her own wrist.

Checkmate.

“…what?”

Okay, even she realized that she didn’t see that coming. She began to tug at the cuffs, trying to overpower Mimi.

“This is insane! We shouldn’t be doing this!”

Mimi fought back the tug with the practiced strength of a swimmer. "Give up!" She commanded, hoping to appeal to her sense of reason. "You've lost! Even if you could beat me now, you aren't going to be able to take off the cuffs! What are you going to do, drag my unconscious body around the city??"

She's a magic user though... who knows what sort of trick she still has up her sleeve. She was ready for anything.

She did have one idea. She hated it, but maybe she could surprise her.

She dropped her staff and used her free hand to grip her brooch, causing her gloved hand to start unraveling in ribbons. She tugged at her bonds again, intending on tossing Mimi against a nearby wall.

At the movement, the Octarian girl was ready to punch whatever Usagi grabbed out of her hand before she could use its magic on her. What she was not prepared for was the sudden centripetal force of the ribbons plus her hands.

As she is swung against the wall, she knew that this girl had gained the upper hand and she needed to minimize the impact. Before she knew what was happening her body began to shift. The center of mass of the swing changed, concentrating the force to a narrower point. The next second there is a loud SPLAT and Usagi would find the cuff dangling down without its second occupant.

Instead of a girl, a strange magenta thing was flattened against the wall. Its eyes were clenched tight just as Mimi did when she braced for impact.

Its not long before it starts to peel off the wall, its strange appendages the last to depart before crashing into the floor.

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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