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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"Very well," Elidibus answers and begins to rise. The sandwich mentioned earlier is untouched. And as Elianne's stomach growls, the man studies her. Wrapping the paper around one of the sliced halves, he offers it to the woman.

"Perhaps you would consider taking this. I would rather eat in company."

Not much he can do about splitting the coffee however. But he collects the rest of his purchase and prepares to follow regardless of whether the half sandwich is accepted. "After you."

Elidibus will follow.

Pride warred with hunger. Hunger, as it always did, won. She took the half sandwich with a nod and led the way out. Part of her wondered if it was poisoned, but it was a small part. She knew the people who worked there, and her stomach had lent itself to many impromptu shared meals like this in the past. She took a grateful bite once she was clear of the door. Grateful and large.

The sandwich is the basics of basics with ham and cheese, on an extravagently large croissant sliced in half to make the bread. Very lightly toasted; just enough to melt the cheese a bit and give the sandwich structure.

Elidibus follows.

"It seems you worked hard today. Nothing too troubling, I hope?" he asks. Subtly casual. Something a stranger or a friend might have asked for the sake of polite conversation. He falls into step beside the woman as they clear the door and make their way toward a wider path.

One could almost forget they had met up because of a troubling phone call Elidibus made to Elianne this morning.

One could. She wasn't likely to. Though the food helped. It was gone in a few bites as she shrugged. "Nothing I can talk about," she said, flatly. "Besides, we're here because you wanted to talk." She was **** at acting. And segues.

The second half is proffered silently. It seems Elidibus will stick with his coffee for now. It has the same value when all is said and done.

"It remains the same as this morning. The sky is dangerous to look toward. And there is much which surrounds us that is not to be trusted."

Anagin the battle between pride and hunger was brief. She took what was offered. "So you said," she agreed through a mouthful of food. "But there are always things to not trust."

There's no more food to offer after that. Elidibus didn't buy the sandwich without intention of eating some of it himself. But the meeting location did suggest a beverage or food might be a welcome peace offering. May is serve a better purpose given wholly to Elianne.

"Moreso than usual. Particularly under such an unusual sky." He does glance up, briefly. They've moved sufficiently away from the bakery cafe by that point that it wouldn't be unusual to discover that he also pauses. He won't look up for long; he did after all mention the danger in doing so.

"You have quite an unusual feline," he remarks then. His gaze falls to the beast that has seemingly been content to ride Elianne's shoulder all this time.

"If you mean because he ***** well hasn't run the ****s off, that observation can get in line and take a **** number," she said. But the curses... the whole thing was said more casually. The food helped dulled some of the edges on her temper. Not on her suspicion, mind. But still, small victories.

"Perhaps that as well." Elidibus seems to recognize the tone over the swearing at least. "He seems particularly attached. Has he been your companion for a long time?"

Elidibus finishes the coffee and disposes of the cup in a nearby bin then returns his attention to both woman and feline. To be honest the creature's presence interests him; most animals of this world have been illusions themselves. This one... is not.

"A while. Guess the lesson of don't feed strays or they'll never **** well leave was right, **** it all. I've tried to give him the ****s away. He never goes. I can't afford to feed him, but..." she shrugged. He was clearly getting fed somehow. She suspected her roommate. Or coworkers. Or maybe he spent the time she slept catching rats for all she knew.

"If you are not the one who feeds him, then his loyalty is all the more unique. Few would remain without some personal benefit." Though perhaps there is one and it's unseen.

A faint smile is favored toward the beast before Elidibus focuses again on Elianne. "Would you describe yourself as one who moves with the flow and least resistance or one who would challenge the current?"

"What the **** is this? Some sort of **** personality quiz?" He might be catching on by now that cursing does not denote anger with her, it is just how she speaks.

The cat also seemed to be speaking. At length. A lot of meows and yowls that almost sounded like there should have been syllables in there. She swore at the cat, who seemed to ignore her.

"...Yes, you may consider it that way if you wish." Certainly Elidibus must know she was being somewhat sarcastic.

The feline's noise is intriguing. And there is one thing about the Ascian that's true; if the beast possesses sentience and that is some form of language, he may very well understand it; an ability that most people who possess a fragment of its full power call the 'Echo'.

Well the truth is whether or not the cat's meows is some form of communication, Elidibus is entertaining the possibility of it and may appear to be 'listening'.

Though he does turn back to Elianna as well, with a faint smile. "Would you be willing to answer my question? If not, perhaps I should leave."

It does sound like language, but Hope generally can control who hears him as though he were speaking words. Further, he was covered over by Elianne's being stuck in the illusion. He was bonded to her as her familiar, so she had more influence than she realized.

He'll have more luck if he finds her after she's snapped out.

"I'm a do what the ****s I have to do sort of person," she said, as her answer.

It is interesting. Though he doesn't comprehend the language, there is a lot to observe. But then Elianne is finally answering his earlier question. His gaze shifts to her expression.

"I hope such conviction serves you well then. Thank you for answering my questions and giving me some of your time."

There appears to be a sense of withdrawal happening. To Elidibus, one who does what they must is all well and good... yet having no knowledge of them makes such a stubborn will difficult to drag out of the illusion.

And perhaps it is the cruelty of his nature, but he sees little reason to do more for a stranger. Like as not, it is safer to leave them be.

Though he does linger politely to give Elianne time to respond or press for conversation of her own.

Hey, he fed her and didn't seem to be actively doing anything illegal. She could almost forgive him for waking her. Almost.

"That's it?"

Hopefully it just means she wasn't late for work!

"Yes, that is it. Was there aught else you wished to discuss?"

He might not have any interest in helping a stranger, but he is not impolite. And she did agree to this meeting and answered his questions. The least he could do is offer a forum for any of her own.

"Not really."

She was just a little late instead of hours late. But she was used to that.

Elidibus nods. "Then perhaps we shall meet again. If we do not, may you stay safe in the days ahead."

With those words, the stranger turns and begins to walk away. A strange conversation to be sure. But also one weighed with a bit of premonition.

Ah, but what's new in this city of heroes and villains? There are dangers around every corner, even when the skies are not the clear purple they are supposed to be.

"You as well...."

What the actual ****s had that been about? Well, she was fed at least, which made a nice change of pace. Maybe she could still catch the ball game in time to place a few small bets...

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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Ty for the thread!