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

...is that Wei Wuxian?

'Which Wei Wuxian?' would be the next question to follow, but with the other a guy with a few more animalistic features, this was the one he knew...a bit better (read: has spoken to). It's not exactly hard to miss the noise of what the guy's trying to sell, the city busy and bustling, but Tidus does catch it, does a double-take when he sees the face.

Does Wei Wuxian see him? The dumbstruck expression Tidus is making? The wheels of clogs that slowly turn, figuring what to do next. This guy would've been snapped out of it by now, right? And if he isn't...this calls for being subtle.

And it's embarrassingly frustrating what that would mean between them, but he's storming his way over to Wei Wuxian - this guy older than him - with feigned indignation and looking like he's about to start a fight. Which may be where this act is leading to, when he barks out:

"Hey! You know a Lan Zhan guy, pal!?"

Wei Wuxian hears that question, and he smiles before he swings around and tries to plop an arm across Tidus's shoulders. "Do I know Lan Zhan? Do I?" Leaning in, voice dropping, making it a conversation between two rather than with a semi-interested but largely self-focussed crowd: "Across several universes, so I would say that yes, apparently I do."

This is clearly the way to engage with someone who looks like they're coming at him to fight. Bring them close and refuse to engage?

"Been clear headed for long?"

"Man, I had a whole act about being a jealous guy coming to fight ya!" Which even the admittance of still has him looking embarrassed to admit, but he had it all planned out! (No he didn't.) At least he hisses this lowly, given before an answer, which then comes as- "A day," whispered as well.

Then, just in case he needs to go back to doing that act that nobody likely paid attention to in the first place:

"You better not be messing with him!"

Tidus is so good at being undercover, he's got this. Totally doesn't feel like a moron.

He grins at the statement, but manages not to laugh outright again for the time being. "It's not a bad plan, but next time, stop your feet more, gesture wildly, fake a whine, fake crying. If you're going in to act, make it as obnoxious as possible, it really does wonders for the whole thing!"

Says the man who, on realising he was passing off as being the young bastard of the Mo family, had thrown one heck of a fit in order to suss out information and see if making the Mo family lose face was enough to appease the curse he'd been summoned with. Alas, it had not been.

In uncursed news, Tidus was also outside the illusion, and he'd done so swiftly. Or... at least he thinks it was swiftly. He's not entirely sure what perception of time to believe has passed right now.

He's shaken out of those thoughts with Tidus going in on the act again, and grins harder: "Ah, it's fine, it's fine, I'm sure we can share!"

He's in fact sure Lan Zhan would give him a look for saying that, which wouldn't stop him in the first place, because he's likewise expecting Tidus to give him some form of look. Even better for the lack of any act happening here: they're both being clowns, to different extents.

"How many of the Trainlings have you been in touch with since you realised? Also, hey, congratulations! You broke out!"

Please, Wei Wuxian, now isn't the time for constructive criticism! Tidus only makes a face, unamused, especially not at the drama Wei Wuxian is apparently expecting. No way, no how.

But if it's faces that Wei Wuxian wants? Oh, Tidus can give faces. It's easy enough when you're already over this dumb scenario - a dumb scenario he created, a loud scoff leaving him with a louder: "Share!? Now lemme tell you, you...!!!"

Which, he hopes that's a good enough lead into continuing this in-between conversation; as long as he keeps his rigid posture and mean face going (or whatever you want to call the look).

"'Course I did!" He sounds confident underneath the pouty tone. "There's a few- a few guys, a girl - we've gotta get more out!"

Don't worry, he's keeping his voice down, hissing the words out with an energy that isn't quite leaving him in this situation. It matches with his disgruntled lover look, at the very least.

Every time is great for constructive criticism, including when on the run from a threat to your lives! Live in the moment!

"Equal opportunity philanthropist?" he fills in, as if the staged scoffing was definitely going to end that way. Then again, at least their walking away, arm slung over shoulders, is now far enough for most people paying a touch more attention are no longer so engaged.

"We do, but that means finding the rest of the Trainlings, ah? We don't know who stayed on train or who didn't, but we can guess at the numbers of who we're looking for. The ones you've found, they've all come through the illusion? Or are some still struggling?"

Okay, walking away huddled up like this is a better situation than making a show in the middle of the street, though Tidus feels no less dumb for it. But whatever, he knows he sucks at undercover work, and is glad for the opportunity.

"I dunno- I met a few earlier when we were both still under, but now? I need to find them." And some of them he happened to bump into in the street, one quite literally. Where would he find them? Was it worth using that weird phone? "I might be able to help though, whoever we find- I got some magic." That he says a note lower, as if - even as they walk, not stopping - he wants to make sure no one overhears.

"I'm not that great at it, but it might do something. I haven't been able to test it. I didn't ever - unillusion brains back home."

Wei Wuxian nods, then frowns a touch, guiding them toward an alcove by one of the many buildings on the street.

"Magic, great. I'm still learning people's limits with that, but here," he says, finally unslinging his arm from Tidus's shoulders and patting through his pockets. What he ends up pulling out are some of the talismans he made on train, then initially brought with here. Flicking through the papers, he hands three over to Tidus.

"These are a form of mind-clearing, you could say. Not long term, but it seems that what people need here is a way out and they can follow it through. See what your magic does, and if you have a stubborn case, try these—press them right on to the forehead of whomever you want to use it on, yeah?"

He smiles, giving a firm nod. "I'm going to see who I can track down, but ah, question. You're heading purple, right? Or one of those who does?" He might be Blue, generally speaking, but he did try to pay attention. Sort of. Look, there are details that remain and retain and those that do not.

"Do you have a list of people from your team? I don't know how many names might have changed here, but it's one way to try and check." What he manages, barely, to not ask right now is have you seen Sizhui. Lan or Wen, he hasn't run into either.

Flicking pieces of papers onto people's heads? ...great! That wasn't going to be weird! But Tidus takes them, knowing in reality it'd be about as inconspicuous as using his own magic. Screw being subtle at that point, right? Like the way he sends the talismans - with a glance at them, their design - disappearing from his hand, a gold colouring fading over them. For safe keeping.

"Alright," he confirms, his ruffled expression easing as the topic swerves from play-acting, and more into what's important. Being called a head though - it's odd, and he wants to deny it, but it was basically the truth, right? Enough to follow with what Wei Wuxian asks, and he's reminded of a thought he had in the time when Roland disappeared for a time.

Better step up, huh?

"I know most of the people," he confirms. "Some from the other teams too. I can go down the names, check online, or - try and pinpoint people." Ah- "You know Seto? Rui? They're both Orange, but they're good with computers. Seto had some tracking devices. I don't know how many, but if we see people in public but can't do anything then, we can keep an eye on them."

Right? So he hopes. And when he thinks of that tech angle, Tidus wonders if that's a good way of locating people, at least on the internet. How many people were on there, uploading pictures? And not everyone could work out on the streets to find passengers.

Don't even flick, straight up slap it on! Even more weird! Definitely not normal behaviour! (Or is it?)

Wei Wuxian listens, giving a curt nod when asked after those two individuals: "By sight, yes." People talk on the ICPs and names and faces align after enough time, even if he hasn't personally spoken with them all. Orange was also Xichen's team, both of them, and their network had to have some crossover even if they weren't necessarily as skilled in the technology side more Oranges seemed to have a nod of the head toward.

"Ah... distance tracking, something like that? I've had tracking talismans but I was wondering if these things," he says, lifting his wrist and briefly tugging on the bandage covering his SCA to let the device peek out, "Helps with that at all. These inventions aren't ones I understand well yet, very different still from what I know. Other than leaving a talisman on someone, or tracking actual game, I don't know much about it. Even less, outside the illusion." A spread of his fingers, in a what can he say sort of motion.

"Right about now I wish we had that ridiculous passenger roster as a reference. Memory's going to be the next best thing."

From the man rumoured to have a particularly bad memory, and not entirely wrong, given his lack of drive to remember anyone not important to him in some way.

Memory, and a ridiculous passenger roster as a reference. The two points remind Tidus, though he already had one on the tip of his tongue to say about the SCA's. But, one thing at a time:

"Senku," he says. "I know him- I'll see if I can find him. He's got a memory that remembers everything. Don't know if he looks at the passenger roster often, but, if he did, then he's our guy."

Their living, walking passenger roster.

"I wanna look for him," he admits. "I'll see if I can find him. But, our- bands." He takes a second to figure out a word to use, includes raising his empty hand and wrist and twisting it in future implication. Bands, wrist wiggling, good enough. "--There's a guy. Uh, you've probably seen him as a wanted guy. But look up the name... Olivia Curtis. He's going as that now. Or, well. Someone else. Looks like a woman."

Which he stumbles to describe well, but what does he know about what's going on there? It's a name and a warning for when - if - Wei Wuxian sees her. Him.

"He can find people with them on. We don't have another way of tracking people - not the way you're hoping."

And there's a note that's sorry about that, in the fact that it would be good.

The oddities of those who the train has staffed itself with is enough to make Wei Wuxian weigh options between a belief that the man being referenced (and he does, vaguely, recall the words he's heard and things he's seen for identified criminals, these Voidtreckers who are harming our city, and that's its own sad and short lived amusement) has an ability to shift forms, or has a part time professional interest in cross dressing. Or something else entirely, and none of it falls within what he'd judge as of yet, particularly not when being a wanted person has a certain way of making life difficult, even more so when you've set out to help anyone at all.

"Then you already have an idea of the shape of things. Senku for as complete a list as we can get. Is he any good at art?" Passing question, but with a seriousness that says we can only wish for things so easy. "...Olivia Curtis, informed by the one, to track down those wearing bands. Anyone who isn't—any who took such off unwittingly—they'll be our hardest, if their wills aren't of a kind to break past what's going on."

They've paused long enough that movement is again the better idea, and so he smiles and motions with his hand: walk with me? This isn't the right area for lingering, not a conversation spot and not food and not any of the merchants that invite such browsing from outside, but the streets adjacent provide all of the above in random assortment. Walking, they're simply part of the flow of everyday people in this crafted landscape.

"Tidus, enough of those you're senior toward are young and younger, the schools are likely suspects. Did you find yourself attending any of them, or any of those you know, who know, attending as much? It's a faster network than the spread we might face outside of it." Instruction through years older than Tidus seemed is common, but not required; with his illusion granted daughter and son he knows the vaguest outline of both types of schooling, the younger and the older. The arts on offer aren't the gentleman's arts, and they're not the martial ones, but schooling is schooling. It's a place of gathering and routine, two things which worked for them at the moment.

Is he any good at art? Has Senku picked up a pencil to draw in his life? -- no, it's an unfair judgment to be so quick to make when Tidus realises after the thought, that he's seen him draw. Faces though? That's another story, and they'll need to find the guy to confirm. But if he gets to Elidibus - to Olivia Curtis - then maybe that won't be so difficult to do.

But Wei Wuxian gestures, so he doesn't speak, just gives a tiny nod and continues with their walk. It feels off, wrong, but that's the thing about playing a part that isn't real with the rest of the world, isn't it? He felt like this during Kamakan too, but here, there's a bigger worry about getting found out as an outsider. No one in Kamakan cared what they overheard you say. Here, it'd get you thrown into jail.

He listens, carefully, without turning to look at Wei Wuxian beyond moments. Keeping his eyes ahead, watching out for the traffic of civilians in their way.

"So, what, spread rumours around the people inside the schools?" He frowns, not really against the plan, but just something he does; frowning as he thinks about plans like these, bigger and requiring thought. Plans he was never supposed to be a part of. "There's a girl around 14 I got in contact with. Ple? From Blue." Was Wei Wuxian Blue? He didn't notice a colour, doesn't remember from on the train. Ugh, whatever. "Get the kids riled up, that kinda thing?"

Here, blending it was a problem of antagonism by the consciousness responsible for the whole. The city is framed by one energy, one heavy blend of emotion, and an unknown number of people forced into believing this was the city and world they'd grown up in. So many people fighting for the illusion of something that was, at least by one, deeply loved and missed.

Little wonder the reactions here were on a different level than other recent mission worlds. It's all so fresh and raw.

He listens to Tidis, quite seriously considering what that kind of chaos might be like. It's after that thoughtful hum that he shakes his head, slowly. "That might work if we come down to needing something larger to react to, but for now I was more thinking it's a place to find a number of us, and maybe through them, those who aren't looking like we're school aged still." A pause. " Right now, the wrong kind of riled up might get kids hurt. Neither one of us wants to see that, yeah?"

Oh, well, that was a far easier place for looking, and the realisation when he knows where Wei Wuxian was going for that lifts on his face, then eases. "Oh, I can do that." Sure, he can blend around easy, right? "A couple of friends are 'round my age too. I'll check in on them. Oh yeah," he goes on after a moment, making a forward slicing motion with a hand, but not cutting the air; his hands move some as he speaks, that kind of person.

"I heard using powers we got here's probably no good? But if you need me for anything, I can appear if you think about me?" Which Tidus realises is strange to be talking about as he approaches to revealing that. "I don't get why, but that's how it works! Don't think I can do the same back though."

But, if Wei Wuxian ever needs him around, or just anyone?? Never know when you need back-up.

Wei Wuxian pauses, a hitch in his step before he ends up slinging his arm across Tidus's shoulders once more.

"Funnily enough," he says, patting the guy's opposite shoulder to where he was at his side, "Technically, now I can too. The 'gift' this world gave me isn't consistent, not since I started seeing through the fabric of this reality, but it's sometimes useful!"

How did that make sense? He doesn't seem to expect it to, though he half-smiles, nodding to Tidus. "Power borrowing. For the next day, I can do what you do, only not as well you do it now. As long as I don't try borrowing a few more powers between now and then, and as long as the illusion's logic continues to work, at least."

Granted, that also sounded like a highly, er, potentially bizarre power, given some people had a tendency to think about him more than he realises, meaning the chance of him suddenly popping in on his brother or any of the Lan Zhans was... high. Ah, hindsight.

Oh?? Oh! That reveal does get Tidus to stop in his walking, turning to Wei Wuxian to hopefully face him.

"In that case, if you hold your breath real deep, you can disappear too. Go invisible!" It's not weird to talk about powers in the middle of a street, right? Only weird if you saw Tidus earlier trying to start something with this guy, and now he looks keen in other matters. But then you have to wonder, what kind of scam were they selling?

Anyway. "You can think at people, and be like 'hey! Can I come over?' And then you can if you get a...feeling. It's like getting drawn in. I don't really get it," it's a pretty strange power, "but, that's everything I know 'bout how it works."

Him, and the fake him. Going invisible isn't as fun a power as the fake him would've liked.

"I'd use it to find people, but I get the feeling no one's gonna like someone buzzing in their heads."

How does invisibility have anything to do with... showing up... when wanted...

... Wei Wuxian's mind can immediately come up with a darker answer that likely doesn't apply, but sometimes, what people wanted most was for you to disappear. For a moment, that thought is enough to make him consider saying no, laughing it off, with sixteen years of deathless dying in the dark barely months surpassed.

Instead, he wrinkles his brow, closing his eyes and humming before he breathes in, and holds. Like he does before a dive in the river, in the lakes, the forcible necessity of being sucked downstream into a hidden cave. (Thank you, Lan Yi.)

It takes longer than it would for Tidus, but Wei Wuxian goes from visible and felt with the weight of his arm to a conspicuous lack of person with the same weight in place. Either people wanted to know their scam or what kind of kinky life they were setting themselves up for, but given neither one of them cared as long as the suspicions weren't call D-Force and send the Voidtreckers where the sun won't find their faces, everything's fine!

Wei Wuxian opens his eyes as he exhales. He'd wanted to see if invisibility meant he couldn't see himself... and thus if he could see through his own eyelids. Scientific curiosity from a curious soul, okay.

"Nice to know when you're wanted, ah? That's a certain way to know, people missing you." Also awkward if what they missed was punching you in the arm, but sometimes that's just how family is. "Though the asking sounds like knocking against people's minds for permission to come in. Very polite, I'm proud!"

Why is he proud. What is he proud of. Is he teasing again? Lightheartedly, and with a wink and a grin, his arm used to squeeze Tidus's shoulders in a companionable way before he lets the contact drop once more. Makes their whole nearly facing off posture look less strange to anyone watching, more conversational again.

"Mm, try the ones you care about most anyway. People want to know you're okay. The not knowing... well, for the ones in illusion, it might be less pressing, but for the rest? Sleepless nights and worried hearts."

Meaning he can finally... try... to contact his sons and daughter?!

Welcome to the wonderful life of experiencing disappearing. Though closing his eyes likely still provides the unfortunate side effect of not having your vision working for the experience, having others not see you - for the price of breathing - can be helpful, maybe. In desperate times; times that a guy like him may be familiar with.

Tidus watches as Wei Wuxian comes and goes, bizarre to watch from the outside, but as the man reappears, he gives him a sort of 'see?' look. See? You disappear! But Wei Wuxian's own reflections (thinking out loud? It has to be) about manners gets a momentary dip of a brow, confused.

Will he understand Wei Wuxian? Maybe one day. Let's only hope. But he does seem to get where he's going at the end there, a sort of oh at the idea of using the power to actually locate people. It's weird to really consider using himself, but-

"Well... you give it a go too. I guess I will too," he says in an almost conceding way. If he has to. "We'll meet up later?"

Tidus, if you don't use madcap abilities in order to creatively turn yourself into tools to keep other people collected and alive, then what kind of reckless protagonist abducted to a multiversal vessel are you? (... It's probably better for everyone's sanity that Wei Wuxian was not here as his closer-to-Tidus's-age self.)

"Later, yes. Good luck, and keep you and yours safe. If you need my help, let me know."

He holds up the leftover flyers.

"You've got my number!"

Though that does mean he hands one over before he gives him a jaunty wave and a smile, heading off again: even if Tidus isn't, he's immediately going to see if he can make contact with his most pressingly important people. When you're a dad who died without realising your son was still alive, some things feel more important than others.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

day 3

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