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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He hands out another two flyers before he's smiling and answering Lan Zhan, looking amused in a way that was difficult to quantify.

"Power borrowing." One he did have active right now, having borrowed an increased speed ability not long ago, but it was more as his getaway plan of the moment than for anything else. Reliability was low when he concentrated on the falseness of surroundings rather than trying to see them as presented; it was why he turned his gaze more on people. They were real, regardless.

"It's not reliable now, but it was interesting at first—useful in a creative way."

He considers that. It is certainly an interesting power. Unlike any he has heard others speak of. Which isn't surprising in a way either. Wei Ying is unpredictable and unique. At least that is how Lan Zhan sees him. The fact that he would have a power that would let him use many different techniques and have to learn quickly how to master each one seems rather fitting.

"How many powers have you borrowed?"

Because he knows how the man likes to experiment. He can only imagine he has chosen to try it by borrowing as many powers as he can.

"I lost count at somewhere over thirty, mostly to see if there was a limit. Turns out there is for ones active at a time, three or so? Beyond that, you bump the oldest one off if you try gaining a new one, and they all faded by the time I woke up the morning after."

He found it fascinating at the time, but also because he'd been curious for a hard to identify reason. Once he was no longer playing to the tune of the illusion's maker, in all their... confusion of emotion and the danger of this place beyond the propaganda they were currently adding to in reverse, he'd understood the why. Wanting to know more, test limits? When hasn't that been an important part of how he approached life?

"Doesn't take much, just a passing touch. Not even to skin!" He turns and waggles his fingers at Lan Zhan, pointedly reaching out to poke at his shoulder. "Aaaand there it is!"

It makes sense that there would be a limit. To give someone too much power would be unwise. Though he still questions the reasons for giving them powers at all. But perhaps it is because this place had to make sure that the Voidtreckers fell under the same spell. And if they didn't have the powers that match the rest of the world, they would realize that this wasn't real too quickly.

There is a soft tsking noise but if Wei Ying wants his ability he could have it. Lan Zhan didn't really care much about them. Only finding the information about them to be useful more then the powers themselves.

"What will you do with it now?"

Fitting in is a powerful thing. So powerful, the illusion did everything it could to drag them back in. Operating in the strange space of being too aware of its energies and falseness did nothing to erase how heavy its narrative was, pressing down all over.

Flyers go out, and some might be read, and it's an effort made that could count... to some degree.

"Nothing," he says, shrugging his shoulders. "Unless I see someone falling and you aren't already catching them, ah? It won't be the same as swordflight, but it might be the closest I've been—"

In a while. He coughs, interrupting himself, and tucks the remainder of his flyers against his side when he spies a uniform from Dforce elsewhere at the fringe of the area. "Come, come, let's head back for now. Where are you staying?"

His expression softens as he cuts himself off from finishing that sentence. He knows now why the other man can't use his sword any more and he wishes he had known it sooner. So much might have been different if he had been more aware of things. He feels that guilt flare up inside of him once more. Wishing he could have helped him somehow. Even with having him back that feeling is never likely to fade completely.

"Not far from here." His walk from his fake place of employment is not a long one to get to his fake home. And he had been walking it basically when he encountered Wei Ying.

A home that is very quiet and filled with rabbits. It's quiet and not unpleasant but he will be more then ready to leave it when the time comes.

"Do you have the places where the news gets posted there?" He tapped the flyers under his arm with a quirk of his brow.

Yes, he absolutely planned to put up the rest of them, or shove them into communal mailboxes. Every effort counted, and if even one person contacted him or started waking up because of the ridiculous flyer, that was one more person capable of working against the presence responding for building this entire, complex layered illusion city-world.

He nods and indicates for the man to follow. He is happy to help Wei Ying complete his flyer mission even if it can't be done in this spot any longer. He knows that once the illusion starts to break down for more Voidtreckers it will be harder for them to blend in but they need to make sure they solve this before too long. They can't be sure that staying under the illusion won't have lasting effects.

He doesn't think he has to say that he is happy to help Wei Ying tear the illusion down. This kind of thing is simply what they do.

He walks as casually as ever, like there's no reason for concern in the world and he knows exactly where he's going. He doesn't, but that's why Lan Zhan is leading, and once they're at the ground level of his complex, Wei Wuxian sets to work. There's a whole slew of mailboxes with slots visible, and the memories laid over his true ones indicate what these mean.

"Lan Zhan, help fold up the ones you still have and slip them in! Do we have anything to get one up on the wall... I'm glad even in this time and place, they still have message boards in towns."

So said as he folds his flyers in sections, shoving them into mailslots, some more willing to concede their conquering than others.

He starts to fold the ones in his hands, looking towards where people have posted things for sale. He walks over and pulls a pin from the wall. It appears to be what everyone has been using to put things onto the board. He takes one of the unfolded fliers from his stash and uses it to put the flier up. It appears to be mostly for residents so it is better for him to be the one doing it versus Wei Ying.

He finishes folding the last few in his hands to help with the mailboxes. "Do you have time for tea?"

Because the man has been working hard he should rest for a bit.

He pauses, looking to his closest companion. The smile that he offers is tired in a soul weary way, and he shakes his head, fondly.

"When we're back on the train," he says. "Let's have a nice, long cup of tea."

Also let him have alcohol, once he orders any. Until then, he's too jittery, and tea doesn't sound like planning to him, though he's aware enough that it's Lan Zhan telling him to take care of himself. "You take care too, ah? As soon as one of us figures out where Sizhui is, we'll let the other one know. Right?"

He's actually asking.

He nods, hoping that the other doesn't wear himself out. He needs to be strong for whatever this world might throw at them next. He knows enough to understand that eventually the one they must defeat will show himself. And then things will not be easy for them. He will make sure to stand by Wei Ying's side when it does.

"Yes...it is important to find everyone in this place." Sizhui at the top of the list. But also his two brothers are here somewhere. As well as the others from the train. Once they have all remembered it would be best to work together and use their collective strength to remove whatever illusions are holding this place down.

But he also won't force Wei Ying to rest or keep him any longer then he desires. He knows that the man likes to stay busy and they have to keep up the appearances of their illusion lives at least for awhile longer.

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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