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

"I've not seen you here, before, and yet..."

And yet.

Softly, so softly, so afraid to hope.

"Curvo?"

And yet.

The memories are real. Curufin is suddenly in no doubt as to that.

"Yes, it's me, Curvo. And it's you, Macalaurë." Delight comes over his face. He comes nearer and puts his arms around his elder brother. "I don't know how or why, but beyond all expectation, we have met again, here in this strange world. "I love you, Kano. Welcome!"

Edited 2021-07-15 03:41 (UTC)

"Curvo!" Maglor all but collapses in his arms, clinging tight, desperation in his grip.

"You're dead! Am I... ?"

Curufin holds his brother close, wanting to comfort him, knowing that Maglor's last memories of Curufin must be terrible ones.

"Yes, I'm dead. That is to say, I died. But then I figured out how to re-embody, and I went traveling the multiverse. And now here I am in a world where I never expected to see you, and yet you're here." He continues the embrace. "I don't think you're dead yourself, dear brother. Unless you know something I don't know. I think you went wandering the coast of Middle-earth, and you made some immortal songs. But you must have been lonely, and I grieve for you because of that. But I won't let you be lonely now, at least for as long as you stay here."

"Dreaming." Maglor drops his head onto his shoulder.

"I'll wake up soon. But until then..."

"I don't think this is a dream," says Curufin, stroking Maglor's hair gently. "But I imagine you've dreamed of your lost brothers before this, as you wandered the coasts back in Middle-earth."

He smiles as he tries to comfort his brother. "Even if this is a dream, I'll stay with you until you awaken. But, as I've said, I don't think it is a dream. Not that visions and illusions are unknown in this world. Up until just half an hour ago, I thought I belonged here, with a job and a family who are very different than our family in our world. And now I know who I really am."

"A dream would tell me that too." Maglor says quietly, content to revel in the feel of his brother's soul so close, so very familiar and long-missed.

"A dream would explain why this doesn't make sense."

He has no mortal life, and yet, he has three children, here.

"Then either way, whether this is a dream you are having or whether it is some kind of reality, you'll know more soon." He can feel Maglor's soul as well, that very loving and talented soul, and he sighs in happiness at being so near to his brother's essence again. Oh, how he has missed him!

"We're Elves, and when we dream, we see things that otherwise we might not percieve. And it's the same with our waking visions. Tell me, Maglor, what exactly doesn't make sense to you?"

What a clash of realities these two must be experiencing! Maglor never had any children in their world, and Curufin never had a sister or a niece like he has here.

Edited 2021-07-19 18:30 (UTC)

Maglor pokes him, fondly, playful as he never allowed himself in Beleriand.

"I don't have children, Curvo. Not mortal ones. But apparently I have three? Two girls and a boy..."

Curufin giggles as he is poked. He remembers that fond gesture from long ago, when they were children and adolescents in Aman and they used to joke and laugh and engage in humorous antics.

"Your children here are mortals? Your illusory life must have involved a mortal wife or lover, then. How strange. Tell me about these children? How old are they, and what are they like?"

And then he thinks of his own life in Diagad. "I, too, seem to have a mortal family here in Diagad, though none of them are my children. I'm an uncle."

"It should have." Maglor agrees. "But I don't recall one, only a blurred suggestion there should be one."

He hums. "They're very clever." He says, every bit as proud as if the relationship was real. Danny loves the stars, Dani has a very big heart. Raven is quiet, but she is gentle."

"That blurred suggestion is very suspicious. I think that's a sign that your memories of life in this world, as well as mine, are illusions."

Curufin smiles. "Whether the relationships are real or not, I should think that any child of yours would be clever. And if one child loves the stars and has a big heart, and the other is quiet and gentle, then they are obviously your children -- having some of your chracteristcs."

Edited 2021-07-21 20:50 (UTC)

"Probably." Maglor hums. "I would not forget one I gave my heart to."

Rude of this world to suggest otherwise! Maglor is faithful!!!

"I think perhaps whatever decided this found it easier to match those of us who would naturally fall well together?"

"You would never forget one you gave your heart to!" agrees Curufin. "That is your nature."

This world seems to have no problem being rude!

"I think so, too. Whatever is making these illusions must know enough about us to sucessfully match us with each other."

He hugs Maglor again. "I am so very glad to see you again!" he murmers.

Maglor hugs back, loneliness still in the desperation of his grip.

"As I am." He murmurs, but there's doubt there still, worry that this will mean nothing when he wakes.

"I've missed all of you so much."

Curufin can feel the desperation in Maglor's grip. It melts his heart, and he wants to soothe his brother's lonliness.

"I don't know where the rest of our family members are, but wherever they wander, in darkness or in light, I think they must miss you too."

He doesn't believe that this is a dream, but if Maglor has come here straight from roaming Middle-earth in some other era than the First Age, then Curufin can well understand his lonliness and his belief that he will wake up and lose these precious moments.

"What's the last thing you can remember before you ended up here?" he asks, wanting to know about his beloved brother's experience.

"The sea." Maglor hums softly, the rolling tides in his voice.

"A white ship."

Loneliness.

"The sea," echoes Curufin, nodding. "Were you on this white ship or merely seeing it from the shore?"

Loneliness suggests he was not on it.

"The way is barred to me." He murmurs in return, the lonely call of the gulls in his voice. "We're Exile, Curvo. I can't go home."

"Ah, you mean the ship was bound for Aman? I see. We Exiles left the Blessed Realm despite the demands of the Valar, and so we're forever refused entry."

Maglor's voice somehow transmits images of the rolling sea and the flying, crying gulls. The Bardic voice.

"You've wandered a long time, haven't you?"

"It's been a long time." He agrees. "I don't know how long. Artanis is going home."

"You haven't kept track of the dates, I guess. And I can't blame you. Artanis is going home? Was there a war between Sauron and everybody else in Middle-earth, and did Sauron lose it? I can't imagine Artanis deciding to leave as long as she could be helpful to the effort to defeat the powers of darkness. So, maybe those powers were defeated?"

He frowns, thoughtfully.

"The winds sing of change. The air is clearer. A shadow has passed, yes."

Curufin looks upon his brother's face with love and admiration. "I'm glad. And your words are poetic. Have you made a song of this?"

"Mmhmm." Maglor nods, still pressed close, clearly unwilling to risk Curufin vanishing if he lets go.

"Writing one. Not finished yet."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject