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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Unfortunately, even in his illusion, Quatre still had the knack for being able to blame himself for anything. It was a wonderful talent that he had. And it was not going to stop now.

Quatre was lost in thought for a moment until Inigo suggested that. "Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Let's do that. Two people would be better than one."

"Let's go then!" Inigo says, as he's already starting to set out - taking steady steps to really get them going here.

He's already relieved enough that the other gave in to his plan. Maybe this way he can keep Quatre's thoughts from going to any weird places. Not that he really thinks they'll spot anything all that suspicious though. If it's suspicious enough for them to notice, surely one of the official heroes would've taken care of it already.

"Do you happen to have some sort of power that could help us with this?"

Quatre was more than happy to follow along with him. It was a good distraction, yes, having someone to "help" him watch for anything suspicious. Now, he would feel more secure that if they didn't see anything, they really didn't see anything.

"I have fire powers... I mainly use it to heat up tea. I don't think that will help. What about you?"

He shakes his head and lets out a slight laugh.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to accidentally set anything on fire, huh?"

Please, it sounds like the law enforcement around here already has enough to deal with, without needing a bunch of accidental pyromaniacs going around.

"And my power, it.. uh." Inigo's voice trails off for a moment, and there's a second where he looks faintly embarrassed before he quickly shakes his head. "Let's just say it can help to make people do what I ask from them. So it might help if we find a suspicious person to get them to confess." Though he'd rather not use his power at all, considering the more embarrassing details he's purposefully leaving out.

"Yeah, that would be a very bad idea," Quatre said with a chuckle. It was a power that he had always had to be careful with. He was sure there had been a few fires at his house when he first starting showing this ability. Not that he really remember since he had been so young when it had happened.

"Oh, really? That sounds like it would be very useful. Hopefully, we don't need to use it though. I'd rather not actually find anything suspicious."

He wanted to make sure everyone was safe, but at the same time, he didn't also want to have to be the one to tell on someone.

"Aw, come on. You're not scared, are you?" Not that Quatre wouldn't have a good reason to be scared. Inigo thinks that these Voidtreckers really do sound dangerous - especially since he doesn't really doubt the warnings. There's just a few too many of said warnings for the threat to not be very, very real.

"It's better if a pair of competent guys like us runs into something suspicious than some poor kid, right? We might not be official heroes or anything, but I still care about keeping people safe anyway!"

That much doesn't change about Inigo - whether he's his regular self or (like right now) someone who believes he's lived an entirely different life.

"No, I'm not scared. It's not like I'd encounter them in a back alley somewhere."

Or would he~?

"So there would bound to be people around if I did run into them. But being the one to decide if something is suspicious..."

He trailed off there. He didn't want to be the one to decide something like that and get someone in trouble for no reason.

"Yeah, it would be better for a pair of us to try and find anything suspicious." He felt better about that idea honestly. Two of them looking together.

The way Quatre's voice trails off there says a lot. Or maybe Inigo is just filling in a little bit too much on those dots - he's not quite sure. But he does feel like he may have found Quatre's issue, just from glancing at the two statements he's making there.

"Are you worried about calling those shots by yourself?" Since Quatre says he doesn't want to be the one to find something suspicious, but seems to have less of a problem doing it together with someone else. "Come on, you seem like a smart guy. I'm pretty sure you could make those sorts of decisions by yourself if you tried!"

Not that he's saying Quatre has to. After all, Inigo is right here with him. But it's more just him being stupidly supportive, as he always is. Wanting to reassure Quatre that he'd do fine, even by himself.

Quatre nodded his head. "Yeah. I'm sure if I did see something suspicious, I'd second guess myself so many times about whether what I saw was suspicious or not." You know, unless it was REALLY obvious it was suspicious.

"I'm sure I could, but I would wonder if I had just messed up someone's life."

"Aww, come on, there's no way it's going to mess up someone's entire life."

Inigo shakes his head.

"Either they're a Voidtrecker and it's better that they're locked up so they can't hurt anyone, or they're innocent and the authorities will let them go in no time!" Or so Inigo likes to believe, anyway. "At worst you'd inconvenience them for a few hours, but I'm sure the people in charge will compensate them for it. With a coupon for a free spa day or something."

Quatre thought about that for a moment, a long moment. That... seemed to make sense. If they really weren't Voidtreckers, the authorities would surely be able to figure that out... and then they'd realize they had been doing something suspicious. That was likely something they should know after all.

"That sounds reasonable. There must be a way for the authorities to tell the difference between Voidtreckers and everyone else."

He nods. "Of course!"

Not.. that Inigo knows how they'd be able to tell. But if they're able to tell that these Voidtreckers are here in the first place, then they must have some way of telling what they look like or something.

He laughs, leaning a little closer towards Quatre and wiggling his fingers all ~menacingly~. "Maybe they actually look like scaaary aliens with huge tentacles!"

Quatre felt reassured by that. Okay, so he wasn't going to completely ruin someone's life if he said something was suspicious when it wasn't what the authorities would have considered suspicious.

At that last part, he chuckled. "There's no such thing," he said with a smile.

"Oh, are you suuuure?"

It's obvious Inigo is still just joking around though. Especially since his dumb acting got a chuckle out of Quatre here. That's definitely what he wants to see, rather than the other acting all gloomy and worried.

And hey, if Inigo has to make a fool of himself a little and wiggle his fingers more, he's going to do that.

"That's exactly what people in movies say right before they're kidnapped by those scary aliens! Don't let them take you, man!"

"Well, no. I've never been anywhere to see for sure that there aren't such things, but it just sounds so silly."

Quatre laughed at that.

"I just hope that we aren't living in a movie then. I don't want to suddenly round a corner and see a scary alien."

"Aw, don't worry. If something happens, I will protect you!" Inigo even raises an arm as he says it, pretending to flex a little to keep things humerous.

Granted, it might not be the most sensible thing to say here. After all, Quatre is the one here with a power that could be used in actual battle, whereas Inigo's power isn't like that at all.. But he can't help it. For some reason it feels natural to say this, even though he's not quite sure why.

Quatre chuckled when he did that. "I do appreciate that very much."

Yes, it was true his talent was more useful in a battle, but he didn't really think that there would be a fight with an alien. Also it was definitely a playful joke, so he would go along with it.

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So Familiar a Gleam: Start

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