So Familiar a Gleam: Start

[voidtreckermods]

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JINNJAR CITY

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"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…”

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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.

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DAYS ONE & TWO: SLICES OF LIFE

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"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

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[ 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

Comments

[blitzcheer]

Tidus studies Inigo's face, or lets his gaze linger there while he considers the option before him. With far more scrutiny than it deserves, but Tidus finally relents, taking back his arms and hands and standing up quickly.

"Then let me help you up, okay? Careful - don't strain anything!"

Because nearly getting thrown to the floor means you did in actuality get thrown to the floor, and Inigo, his dear friend, needs to be treated with the uttermost care. There's close to a fire in Tidus's eyes, a care that can't be discarded. This is the kind of game face that's meant for the competitions.

And as Inigo does get up, another voice speaks up-

'Hey, this kid ain't giving you trouble, is he?'

-who even sounds as muscular as he is as he comes over to the pair. With another two guys. Look at them, look at their muscles. They're here for you, shoujo prince.

"What are you trying to say?" Tidus throws back. ARE YOU THREE LOOKING FOR A FIGHT--!

[flatteries]

...

This is it. This is his ultimate nightmare scenario. Trapped here with his power on, with a switch in his head he somehow can't seem to flip off, no matter how hard he tries. Seeing Tidus act like this is just getting weird now at this point, and Inigo tells him that he's never going to complain about Tidus treating him in a rough-and-tumble friends way ever again.

(Until later when they meet up with Taiki, and he definitely starts whining all over again.)

But right now he's still stuck in this situation. A situation that's drawing in more and more people through Inigo's power. Tidus, the muscular guys, and now he's starting to see some other people getting up from their fitness machines, also heading their way, and Inigo can feel his panic over this flying up to the highest level.

And with Tidus still holding his hands like that, there's only one option.

Inigo books it. He just starts running for the dressing room door, dragging Tidus along with him the best he can. But he can hear the other people following them, still attracted by his power, so Inigo frantically looks around until he spots the only door with a lock on it.

The showers. He runs over to it, drags both of them in there, and then locks the door behind him with the panic of someone trying to keep out a home intruder.

"Oh god, oh god, I'm going to die.." Inigo says as he fiddles with the door to make sure it's well and truly locked.

In the swooniest way possible. Thanks, power.

[blitzcheer]

LET TIDUS AT THEM, LET HIM AT THEM!!!

(Un)fortunately, Inigo will not let him at them, instead dragging him into the run that Tidus nearly trips over his own feet for, but somehow manages to follow after him regardless. There's the calling of voices behind them, and Tidus's brain isn't making sense of anything until they finally come to a stop.

--inside the showers. A fact that he only seems to realise then, looking around them incredulously before turning his attentions onto Inigo.

"What the-- what's going on!?" He was already hot and sweaty, and he fans out his shirt, catching his breath between his pitched bafflement. "Why're we in here?"

Inigo!?

[flatteries]

Please don'tfan out your shirt, bro. Don't even think of taking it off, you'll just make it worse!

Inigo is trying hard to ignore it though, instead having his hands firmly placed against the locked door. Somehow the effect of his power does seem like it's starting to fade - if not just on Tidus - but it's like it's flickering on and off, like Inigo is starting to get it under control for the moment, but is still wrestling with it for another second.

"Hang on.." He can't imagine the situation getting any more understandable or less ridiculous when Inigo looks like he's almost in pain while leaning against that door, but, you know.

There's not exactly much time to explain, when those people outside could decide to knock down the door any moment now.

"Almost.. got it.. under control.."

[blitzcheer]

Some of us were hard at running here, pal! Like the pair of them. Tidus does stop his fanning though, his eyes on Inigo and that flip between his emotions giving him... not a headache, but not helping with his confusion.

'Hey!' A voice calls out from the other side. 'Did he take you in here?!'

It's a good thing that Tidus is too puzzled as it is to call anything back, head swinging around to double-confirm -- they're in a shower stall!? And he doesn't know what kind of power happened here, but he decides this might be a safe time to use his own.

And so he takes a deep breath and squeezes closed his eyes, and poof!

He disappears from sight.

[flatteries]

At first Inigo doesn't even notice his bro disappearing. He's still too focused on his powers, trying to make them stop fully the best he can.

It's only when he finally feels like he has a grip on it and has it fully turned off that he glances to the side and notices Tidus suddenly gone. Like he somehow abandoned Inigo in the middle of this locked room. Like he somehow escaped.

Not that Inigo has the time to even comment on it. The moment he wants to, the door in front of him gets opened - probably unlocked with a master key - and there's a few figures standing in the doorway..

.. who mostly look totally dazed, having no idea why they wanted to come here in the first place. They scratch their head, talking to each other about how maybe they wanted to shower..? That's it..?

Inigo will gladly take that opportunity to excuse himself with the most awkward smile possible.

"Y-Your turn!" He says, laughing as he quickly slips the heck away from there. Bye people. He's going to go to the exit and maybe also somehow find out where Tidus went?! Inigo sure is looking around him to try and spot the familiar head of hair as he goes, anyway.

[blitzcheer]

Was it necessary? Was it needed? Tidus doesn't know, but when that door opens and he sees the three guys standing there as dumbfounded as he had been, it registers to him that, you know what? He's pretty glad they're not seeing him and getting any weird ideas.

( And not even about being in a shower fully clothed with another guy. )

As Inigo slips out, Tidus follows, not really needing to delay and follow Inigo's lead, but he's not going to go too far from his bro - what if he needs him!? And said bro will feel a presence in his brain, a form of connection that should be familiar (--right?):

'Hey, leave the door open longer for me, I'm behind you! Don't turn.' As if he really needs to warn him of that.

Really, he doesn't need to warn him about the door either, but. But!! It's polite!

[flatteries]

It's a good thing that Inigo basically does whatever is being asked from him the moment he hears that voice - even though he still hasn't quite processed the fact that he's hearing it in his head, or what specifically it's saying to him. He just makes sure to hold open the door for a moment longer, waiting until the guys have entered the shower and it's just.. well, either just him or just him and somehow Tidus until he speaks up.

Though the only thing he says is a very, very cautious: ".. Tidus?"

.. you there, bud?

[blitzcheer]

"Pah!"

With that dramatic exhale of breath to start breathing in more, Tidus appears in front of Inigo, hands resting on his chest as he partakes in that delicious ritual of inhaling air. Hi, pal.

"How did your powers go off there?" The way that Inigo's powers were always a mystery, but colour Tidus impressed, or amazed: He never figured they're get to work inside a gym. And his mind is clearer now to recognised everything that's happened, hands falling to perch on his sides.

"Next time? Set the treadmill at a steady pace, okay, Prince Charming?"

So they can avoid this happening ever again.

[flatteries]

Okay, so Tidus was there. Even if Inigo may have seen the other use this power before, it's not like he can actually tell where Tidus is at all when he uses it! But now the other is visible again, and Inigo's power is well and truly turned off once more, so everything.. is back to normal.

.. except for the memory of the really awkward experience they just had, that is.

"You say that like it's my fault!" Which, technically it is, but at the same time.. "You know I really can't control it..!"

You think he wanted any of that to happen, bro?

[blitzcheer]

It's about as normal as normal gets between them.

"Because you let yourself get thrown off a treadmill!" He jabs Inigo with a finger into his shoulder, but it's not hard, his chiding on the easier side too. "Just say you can't keep up and go at your own speed next time!"

He brushes back his fringe with a hand, taking in a breath, letting it out with the rise and fall of his chest.

"You're gonna come back in with me, right? We can move onto a different machine."

[flatteries]

Is Inigo going to come back in with him? When all he can think about is the way Tidus acted after catching him?

Maybe. If not just because Tidus will never let him walk away now.

"Let's pick something in the corner. Out of view." Because Inigo so does not want to face anymore again today, thanks. Even if he's pretty sure his power won't just randomly activate twice in a row.

".. As long as you won't try to carry me this time."

Of course Tidus won't. But look, at least let Inigo get that dig in after having had to endure this grueling trial, okay.

[blitzcheer]

Tidus is so hoping a pulldown machine is in a corner.

"Don't make a cute face at me and I won't try." He gives Inigo a nudge with a hand on his shoulder as he starts to walk back, saying out behind him: "Let's see how long you last on a rowing machine!"

Inigo, get ready for this.