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

Oh man, this is all one big oof. Dennis didn't think Jingyi would take it well, but the tone and sharpness of his reply digs in harshly. It would be easy to give a snappy reply back, to get upset, but he has to think about Sizhui too.

Being a dick to his brother wouldn't be a good look. Not that he even wants to be, but he also doesn't like being talked down to. Like he's some stupid kid. Maybe that's him taking it too personally too, who can say. So instead he looks down at his feet, clearly stopping himself from saying something that would turn things into a thing. When he looks back up he forces a little smile.

"You're right, my bad." His not going to put any blame on Sizhui, he'd had a good night and it wasn't his fault. Pulling out his phone he raises his brows at Jingyi, "What's your number? I'll keep you updated if this happens again." Change of plans and all that. Make sure it's okay with mommy Jingyi.

Edited (typos lord almighty ) 2021-07-14 06:30 (UTC)

He's not oblivious to the fact Dennis is reigning in some kind of response, and Jingyi being Jingyi, assumes it's probably an angry one. He knows he'd have similar thoughts, but the concern he feels not knowing if his brother is alright deals with several levels. He's the only one here, the one who has to watch out for him. He's not going to be careless about that. Their parents are never home, really, so if any pig is coming rooting along to dig up the cabbage he raised, he has a stake in making sure the cabbage isn't ruined in the process.

"Good that you know."

Which means he uncrosses his arms to pull out his own phone, still dressed in his hilariously out of context pajamas, and glances down at it.

Then hands it over to Dennis, looking... faintly... sheepish. "I forget, I never call it. It's on there somewhere."

Then again, he could call Dennis and have his number show up, but he plainly doesn't think about that. For all he can use his phone, there are odd gaps where he's not quite sure what to do with the thing.

Jingyi isn't wrong, it probably would have been something angryish. Something snarky and not helpful.

The pajamas do kind of take some of the scary big brother wind out of Jingyi's sails, but it IS late. Pajamas are warranted right now. Dennis is a little surprised that Jingyi just hands his phone over expecting him to just figure it out. That does ease his smile to something more natural.

"Heh, only remember mine from filling out job applications, don't feel bad." Dennis manages to fill out a new contact for himself and then calls his own phone through it. Adding Jingyi to his own contacts he'll hand the phone back over.

"All set, boss."

He stands there with his arms recrossed for Bonus Points of the closed off body language, partly ruined again because he clearly is watching Dennis manage his phone better than he feels he can right now. Including the call thing, which is ingenious! He should remember that!

(He'd forget in about five minutes, but it was a nice thought while it lasted.)

"Good." A pause, and he adds, "Thank you."

A further pause, and he outright sighs. "Look, it's not that I'm not... happy, when Sizhui's happy. But our parents aren't around, and I basically raised him, and I know what he's like. He gets carried away because he cares easily, and he's the best person I know. If you don't really listen to him, and what he doesn't say, you're going to think he's okay going along with a lot more than he is."

Shifting his weight, he grimaces. "Not like that." Not physically, because on that count, he has zero concerns about Sizhui or his boundaries or ability to kick someone else in debilitating ways to not deal with stuff. But emotionally? "What I mean is, if you care for him, care for how he feels, you know?"

Why is this the late night lecture. A combination of factors, and how unsettling the skies are being, and frankly: he cares about his younger brother enough to be That Guy whenever he needs to be. Their parents aren't around to do it, so he will, every time. No free cabbage usurping.

The 'thank you' is unexpected, the barrier dropping between them also shocks him, but isn't unwelcomed. It's a relief honestly, he didn't want things to be weird between them, that would only make it uncomfortable for Sizhui.

He let's Jingyi talk, doesn't interrupt, because it seems like Jingyi has a lot to get off his chest. In the end Dennis's own body language relaxes and he nods.

"Yeah, I know." He shuffles his feet a bit, "I get it, he's your brother. I'd do the same if I had a brother too." Do anything to keep them safe, fight tooth and nail to protect them.

"Y'just want the best for him and maybe you don't believe me, but I do too." He gives a thoughtful sigh as he crosses his arms lazily, "Even if one day that doesn't include me, that's his choice." Things are great right now, they're in a budding relationship and it's the honeymoon phase, but who can say they won't both grow in opposite directions at some point? They can't.

"... but I'll keep that in mind, Sizhui's too nice I can see your point." He'd hope Sizhui wouldn't do things if he didn't want to and be straight with him ~~haha~~, but yeah. Yeah.

With no real artifice for holding back, Jingyi prefers to be blunt and straightforward. Which tends to reflect in all his emotions, and thus the swing from standoffish and talking down to pointed voicing of concerns.

No, he doesn't have to like that it feels both weird and also weirdly pride inducing that his kid brother has hit that point in life where he's out there, dating. Dating. He doesn't even think Dennis is a bad guy, but he's not family yet, and with the rest of their family either gone on or out and traveling, Jingyi's protective of what family he has here.

It's difficult, that trust he has in Sizhui and that desire to protect him, but he's felt it all his life. Accepting friends in is one thing, but some part of him feels like dating isn't just... done. That it's not casual, which makes no sense, because isn't it possible? Things don't work out. Why is he so worried about Sizhui getting his heart broken? Why does that make the pit of his stomach feel heavy, full of lead? Must be the way anyone felt when someone they cared about deeply was stepping into the uncertain realms of engaging another person's heart.

Surely it wasn't deeper worries about love coming once, and not again. Who thinks like that?

(Sneaking suspicion says he does.)

"Good, because he is. He's too nice to even say what he should, sometimes." A pause, and a scoff that turns into a half wry smile. "Way better at handling talking with people without offending them, too." Not Jingyi's strong point, generally speaking.

He sighs again, tucking his phone back into a pocket and otherwise ignoring it. "Look, Dennis, it's not that I don't believe you. It's just that I want to be clear I'll kick your butt if it comes down to needing it, and I won't apologise. Be genuine. Be honest. Don't knowingly hurt him. He'll swallow enough of that from the world, he doesn't need it from the people he lets in to his life, okay?"

Blunt and straight forward has it's place and Dennis can appreciate that too. Sometimes you just gotta be.

He also understands that to Jingyi he's intruding in on a family situation that's super tight, at least between the two brothers. Someone 'new' coming in to take away time and maybe even... love at some point, is scary. Beyond wanting the best for that person and not wanting them to get hurt, of course.

Dennis holds up his hands.

"Look mate, I want you to kick ass if I hurt him too." To which he sort of back peddles a bit, "Not that I'd hurt him on purpose, but shit happens." Which sounds kind of flippant and he'll rub the back of his neck.

"I'm just saying, I get it." There's this brief moment where he feels a familiar bubble of anger in his chest, as if there's something he should remember. Someone has hurt someone he loved once? Brows furrow, but he shakes his head, looking at Jingyi.

"But know I'll do the same to anyone that tries to hurt him. May not got any fancy fighting powers, but a fist will knock some teeth in all the same if you hit hard enough."

He listens, evaluating Dennis as he talks, starts to shove his foot in his mouth, chews on his toes pulling his foot back out, and manages not to scowl. The guy does seem to care I'm the ways that makes Jingyi feel better, even if some note of impermanence keeps making him feel sour, and he's not sure why.

Either way, this is the guy his brother's chosen, and he respects that enough to not be unreasonable about this.

"Yeah, well, just don't break your hand if you ever do, it'll upset him." He has a niggling sense Sizhui really prefers a lack of fighting until diplomacy has failed, but come on, who actually got into bouts of violence regularly around here? This was a reasonable city!

"... Drive safe going home, alright? Don't do anything that'd make him worry for no good reason." That might be the key with no random fistfights too...

W-Wait, chosen?! Look Jingyi, they're just cute boyfriends! It's not like they're getting married! ... is there something Sizhui isn't telling him? Is there already a ring some where? Oh boy, everything is moving so fast!

Dennis has to laugh a little, "Yeah, yeah he would." Be upset if he hurt himself, "I'll be sure to just bruise my hand." Sorry sorry, he shouldn't be teasingly joking, but he does know Sizhui would be worried and upset. Plus he wouldn't want him to have to use his powers, no thank you. He'd rather be in pain than let Sizhui use them. He can tell Jingyi is really trying to be civil and nice, but compared to the start things are pretty good!

"Thanks, I'll be sure to." He smiles, walking backwards towards his bike, pointing at Jingyi, "Keep up the good work, mate."

... Could he punch him just a little? Just a small, knuckles to shoulder thing? Hearing keep up the good work, mate from the guy taking away his baby brother is irritating to a degree he almost scoffs over, settling on crossing his arms over his chest.

No one needed Sizhui to use his powers, either; he did often enough, it was just like him.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." He waves Dennis off. "And don't bring him home late without sending word again!" To himself, as an aside, "The ice cream almost melted..."

Shaking his head, Jingyi stepped toward their door to head inside the flat, trying not to let it bother him that everything in this felt so transitory. Maybe he should ask Sizhui if he's sure again, but he's a good bro! He trusts his bro! If he likes this guy then... ugh. He'll work with it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So Familiar a Gleam: Start

feels like the countdown is already at -100

eh, more like 50, gotta be big protective bro sometimes

wipes brow, better than he thought

he's more bark than bite unless there's a reason to get to biting, tbf

totally understandable, would bite people for Sizhui too

or bite sizhui if he asked nicely right

u///u wow no they would never they are pure sweet boys

oh, dennis, you sweet innocent

okay he's not that innocent, but gosh

laughs, just wait