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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Elidibus matches the picture shown on the train's roster, his voice is the same as the caller on the phone. But he can also provide proof; momentarily drawing up the cuff of a long sleeved shirt and allowing a glimpse of the SCA on his wrist for Senku to witness.

Though the surroundings mean little to the Ascian, Elidibus looks around nonetheless. His attention lingers on the oil painting as if on some level he understands it has importance. But there will be no prying about it.

"Thank you," he says and turns his attention to both of his hosts. After a moment's hesitation, he lays claim to one of the chairs. Gen is observed for a moment before answered. "Yes, I would take you up on your offer."

Finally Elidibus settles his attention on Senku. "Have either of you discovered any others who have freed themselves from this illusionary world?"

"Not yet, you're the first." Senku responded as he sat down on the couch, drawing one leg up under him while he let Gen deal with the refreshments and hospitality.

"And I wasn't expecting to find you. I spent a good deal of time working on Gen." He explained. "And woke him, fortunately. Now I need to locate others. I have a sibling in this world, he's another Voidtrecker, Xue Yang. I saw him yesterday so he'd come to me if I asked him to. I don't seem connected to my strongest allies."

He accepted a cup of tea and took a sip. "I need to locate them first. This is a big city to have been dropped into."

"You make it sound as if I was difficult to convince, Senku-chan," Gen objected with a small laugh. Each of them now with a full cup of tea, he sat down beside his husband, legs crossed at the ankles. He smiled over his teacup.

Gen nodded in agreement to Senku's statement. "We've been very effectively divided, all completely bamboozled with this illusion - that our amulets were supposed to help defend us from, but perhaps that's why we're awake? - and made helpless. As a fun little bonus, they've marked Voidtreckers as enemies, so trying to gather will be meant with alarm and possible attention from troublesome olicemen-pay ..."

He tilted his head at Elidibus. "How about you, my dear? Have you already met others who are, for lack of a better term, 'awake'?"

It may be bagged tea but Elidibus would not easily pick up on this nuance. It's a new taste and when he's given the cup, there is interest shown when he takes a polite drink. But as matters are dire, he doesn't linger on personal curiosities. The cup is set aside.

"I know the name Xue Yang." Elidibus looks to Senku. "He was recently transferred to my cabin. Though unless you are certain you can free him from this, I would wait to draw him here. For the moment, they remain relatively safe within the illusion. For all they are enemies to us, it will be less risk until a plan is in place."

The man shifts his attention to Gen.

"The amulets are an aid, but an illusion of this level is far beyond the level of resistance they provide alone. Those who had their SCA still on will be easier to free. It too provides protection. But others may be without either." Elidibus's brow furrows thoughtfully. "And my initial efforts to contact others have led me to realize we are not the only captives."

He releases a breath with a sigh. Then, "I have discovered one other who seems to have freed themsleves quickly. I did not yet tell them about this meeting. But the one known as Masumi Sera is also aware." Elidibus then looks between the two. "I would like to ask how aware of the illusion are you? Can you see the city for what it is?"

"I'm not sure, actually." He probably could find things to pick at for Xue Yang, things that were potentially a little mean, but that's not the risk with him. The risk is Xue Yang losing his temper and reacting in a way they can't mitigate.

"Masumi's pretty good." Senku praised lightly.

"I'm not sure that we can. Are we missing something?" His brow furrowed.

"We're not the only captives?" Gen asked, head tilting, hoping to get clarification on that. "There are a number of other people in this city, of course - aren't they native to this world?"

He hummed and tapped his chin. "We likely are, Senku-chan. It'd make sense that, if we've been given a whole new life and history together - we're also given a house and city that's barely real. But just how deep is this illusion, dear Elidibus? When we eat food, is it all actually nutrient paste and fiber squares?"

"Now I have confirmed you are aware of our circumstances, I can message her. Shall I inform her of this location or would you prefer to establish another haven?" Regardless of the answer, Elidibus shows no rush to pull the cellphone out.

What he does pull out- from nothing but thin air apparently- is the standard notebook every passenger is given at the beginning of their journey. "I've yet to see a sentient being that is naught but illusion," Elidibus answers Gen. "And at least one person whom I used the tomestone-- the cellphone," he corrects,"for had the voice of a former passenger, though much older. Whether or not far more time has passed for her than the scant few days since the last platform of arrivals, she was no longer a passenger."

Opening the notebook to a certain page, he leans forward and places it on the coffee table. There, a sketch of the city as it truly is has been drawn. A paperclip attaches a common postcard that depicts an aerial view of Jinnjar city- pre-prismatic sky of course.

"The true city is a collection of areas with dense fields of aether between them. Though I surmise it is what makes those trapped believe in the distance, tudying it directly has proved difficult." He frowns, apparently mildly irritated about this. "At least from within. A great deal of energy has been poured into its creation and maintenance. It serves as a deterrence."

Definitely put out about it.

Ah, the food. Elidibus glances at the tea cup he placed to the side momentarily. He takes a moment to consider whether he should outright lie before finally offering the truth. "More the former than the latter. I would advise not dwelling on it overmuch."

"Here's fine, I'm not worried about Masumi." Or, really, anyone else who could find them. If they had to get out of there, they would. Gen was incredibly slippery.

"Dense fields huh..." Some kind of magic, he's guessing. He can follow those things.

"I'd like to get at those and see what we can do with them." He admitted with a frown.

Senku groaned at the mention of the food. "Ugh. Can't we have good food at least?" It kept them alive but, uh, gross. "I've got some rations." He told Gen. "In the arms band."

Gen couldn't help but look at the sketch with wide eyes, a bit amazed. And the implications, then - everyone here he'd met, interacted with, were all as real as any Voidtrecker. How many were trapped here? Were they all going to need to kidnap them onto the train once the illusion was broken?

Because, one way or another - they were going to break this illusion. Come hell or high water.

"Of course, we've got enough food still in the Arms band for a while," Gen mused, a little distracted, tapping his chin. "So we're basically floating around in bubbles within this illusion, more or less? What if we pop one of them, somehow?"

Nodding, Elidibus brings out the phone and sends a message to Masumi; though in keeping with few words as possible to refrain from leaving a paper trail, anyone who catches a peek of what he sends will find it amounts to 'I have found a safe place. I will contact you later with details on where to come.' He's only half paying attnention to the conversation regarding food; he's just fine with the nutripaste.

Well not exactly 'pleased' about it. But he can consume it since needs must. But talk of destroying the illusion has him looking up with an expression of mild impatience.

"I don't have any knowledge of where we are or even if we left voidspace before being drawn into this cage. Please act as if the worst case scenario is possible and mind that your actions will affect not illusions, but the very real people here."

After this dryly delivered statement, Elidibus relaxes a little. "In truth I can't say. Even one as experienced with sorcery as myself can make little headways from within. Perhaps if one of my brethren were here, he could see more clearly than I. But that luxury does not exist."

Despite the size of the city and how few days it's been, he seems to be absolutely certain this 'brother' is not present in Jinnjar.

"I will move before the day ends. There are some matters I want to investigate that might lead to discovery of the true limits of this cage. And a certain person I wish to find." Well at the very least he doesn't plan to remain in safety too long. He appears to be the mission oriented type.

He taps the cellphone's side momentarily, looking at its screen. He frowns, then looks at the two. "While it seems," ...seems? "I'm not unfamiliar with devices like these, there are many functions and I have little time to learn how to use them. If you are more familiar with this technology, do you know what besides the 'phone' function would be beneficial?"

"The fact there are very real people on the line is the reason we need to do something." Senku responded. "They don't deserve this kind of treatment to be wrapped up in an illusion. It's harmful in the long term."

He frowned a little bit. "We're not really as experienced as some people would be, but if there's something we can do to wake everyone up, we should do it. If nothing else, it might make him show up and we need to talk to him."

Senku considered the question. "I'd say the internet, but I'm not sure about the factual statements contained in the phone. The phone and texting might be the best things we can do here."

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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thank you everyone for your patience with me x_x

You're totally welcome! I'm glad you're feeling better! <3

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