middleofsomewhere | So Familiar a Gleam: Ongoing

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So Familiar a Gleam: Ongoing

JUST Ā̸̛͇̹̈́͌͐͛̐̋͝Ǹ̵̠͍̲̘͈̮͈̺͔̤͙̳̓̔͑͌̒̓̃́̄̚͘Ớ̶̻̱̄̓͆͂̈́̄̔͋͌̽̀̕͘T̵͙͍͓̻̩͙̻͙̹͎̫̘͇̱̈́̌̓͝ͅH̶̭̻͇̰͈̯̦̹̦̗͐̒́Ẽ̵̡̡̘̳͉͇͚̼̗̣̩͎̞̏͒̈́̏͂̈͝Ř̴̠͋̐͘ NORMAL DAY

"Jinnjar citizens. Unfortunately, all train travel will be closed due to issues on the lines. Members of the Voidtrecker Express have been located around the city, and are deploying trickery to agitate and confuse us. We ask any volunteers at this time to help us locate any suspicious objects and people, and to restrain them.

For the f̴̘̯̰̦̺͖̔͌̋̃ũ̴̢̖̦͙̩̼̺̪͚͍̥͈̜̝͋̌̒̊̚ẗ̶̪̺͕̤̯̞̤͓̝́̑̄̎̊̕future of our city!"

A TL;DR notes version of days/prompts: (click to show)

EVENT BASICS:

DAYS 5 & 6:

By now, some people have broken out of their fake lives while some haven't. Tension is rising in the city as people are led to believe this is by the Voidtreckers, which some will believe due to illusions and messing with one's heads is believed to be one of their many tactics.
Some oddities are occurring with travel, and glimpses of how the city is made beginning to show. The streams of colour - the void - are getting brighter. Electronics are not working well. Some monster sightings are seen, but not to a large degree.
The prompts here are light to give characters and players time to ICly coordinate, as Voidtreckers are being more actively hunted. Some faces are known. You know who you are, troublemakers.

DAYS 7 & 8:

The world is really starting to go a bit wild now, with more things disappearing, animals on the loose and more monster sightings.
By the end of day eight most people have realised the truth though those who are very susceptible to mind control or very stubbornly wanting to believe in this world will still be trapped, believing this is the Voidtreckers doing.
There are monsters to fight, people to keep calm and a plan to make.

[ HOME SWEET...HOME? ] By day 5, the people of Jinnjar are in a state of anxiety more than before. There's those who realise they're not a part of this world, never were, while there's those who still cling onto this life. Health services say that the source of confusion comes from the colour trails that are brighter than ever in the sky, while the D-Force/Heroes have it confirmed - internally and publicly - that there are Voidtreckers amongst them.

The media shows pictures of potential suspects, some Voidtreckers, some not; a man with the same face as two others, one who made a show by creating ice in the middle of the street. Your face may be shown, but don't worry - they're asking people not to play vigilante.

That'll surely keep people behaved.

[ TRAVEL REVIEW. ] As if it couldn't get more frustrating, most of the trains are down. Air taxis are still available for short journeys, yet some people have the bizarre occurrence where they end up in the wrong spot, and even remember going in this wrong direction...but never say anything about it. Those using the tele-pads will also find themselves not always arriving where they should, or worse, suffering intense headaches, swirling colours behind their eyes, their thoughts jumbled for as long as ten minutes before it passes.

You might want to walk.

[ MAKING DO. ] Still, with all the chaos, many are trying to live. You have a life here, no matter what some other force is trying to make you believe,

For our HEROES: The cinema has rethought its showings due to the worrying happenings of the last few days. Clearly a boost in morale is needed and so they have pulled out some of the great films of the past. Action films that show heroes beating the bad guys, disaster films where the good guys beat the aliens, stop the natural disaster or thwart the secret agency looking to take down civilisation from the inside, at the last minute. Even the childrens films have taken on a pro-hero and triumphant air.

It's not quite distraction though, how could it be when every film has a warning before and after. REMEMBER TO REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO DFORCE and WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SHOW. REMEMBER TO WATCH YOUR SURROUNDINGS AS CAREFULLY AS YOU DID THE SCREEN.
Fun Park: It's for the kids, but one of the largest arcade parks has a special discount on everything to anyone who come visit. It's even advertised across the news: For half the price, get amazing fun and even better food! Kids younger than eight or from the orphanages get free access everywhere!

It's time not to think too hard, and to ignore the trouble! Play laser tag, racing cars or get a high score on the dance mat!
Encroaching Dangers: Something new is beginning to happen, as the city continues to shift. It starts at night, those that stay out past when the streets go quiet might see a shadow, might hear a growl.

Rumours and reports start to spread about monsters on the street.

DAY SIX: HELP FROM INSIDE

[ AID. ] DIAGNET is full of videos but one that has started doing the rounds is of a small droid and a cat. It's not hard to see why it has gone viral, the cat and cleaning droid are chasing each other around an apartment, caught on a home security footage. The cat tries to catch the droid but every time it gets close the droid turns to chase it and the cat runs away. It has been uploaded with stirring orchestral music, which adds to the madness.

But... For those Voidtreckers who have already regained their memories that little droid seems familiar indeed. As do the sounds that punctuate the music.

beep beep beep boop | boop

boop boop beep | boop boop boop

boop boop | boop boop boop | boop boop boop | boop beep | boop beep beep | beep beep boop | beep beep beep | boop

boop beep boop beep | beep boop | beep beep boop beep | beep

boop boop boop | beep boop beep | boop beep beepp | beep | beep boop beep

boop beep | beep beep boop | boop | beep boop beep | beep beep | boop | beep | beep boop

Of course it might not be anything, just weird droid sounds that haven't been fully edited out of the video.

[ MOONDUST CAFÉ. ] It might be that they figured out the message or, it might be that a friend is dragging them to the cafe. But for those that make their way there, they will find the Moondust Cafe is a bustling cafe on the edge of a park, near local transport links.

For those that say the right words, a slightly bored looking teenager manning the counter waves them to a side door. "Best sit downstairs, service will be quicker."

Downstairs has a fair number of tables and booths and is lit by coloured lighting making everything look a little obscure. There's soft music playing, not loud enough to make it impossible to hear each other but enough to make it a little harder for evesdroppers.

Mingle, discuss. This is probably the closest to a safe space there is.

[ LOST & LOST. ] You may have spotted it already - that is, spotted what's missing. There's been the pets, the birds in the sky, a pen or apple or wrench from the garage. But now, with every single bad thing going on, more is starting to disappear. Machines stop working, from air conditioning, freezers, your Jinnjar MP3 player, to TVs and more.

And in some business buildings, even entire rooms are gone, their floors empty of more than the door you opened to find this out. Even the heroes seem worried and they quickly clear any affected areas, chasing away bystanders and sealing off whole wings of office blocks.

None of them have answers though, except that this must be the Voidtreckers doing. After all who else but that group could have power enough to do such damage?

DAY SEVEN & EIGHT: UNRAVELLING

[ OVEREXPOSURE. ] Everything is starting to escalate. The headaches are getting regular the more you're outside, buildings are starting to go missing around the outskirts. People see parts of the city flickering, and when they reach certain sections of the city, they find they can't go beyond it.

Life tries to go on, but as more areas of the city begin to be sealed off and considered dangerous, even those who are most stubborn about pretending everything is normal can see that is is not.

[ LET LOOSE. ] The breaking down of the city has caused a lot of chaos, but one of the biggest problems are that parts of the zoo have vanished. Walls, fences, enclosure roofs. Meaning that the animals inside are no longer confined and are now prowling the city streets. Real birds now fill the sky that the fakes left empty.

And they aren't all that's there. Twisted creatures are becoming more common on the streets of Diagad. Creatures that look almost like animals but warp and twist between them, one moment a bear the next it has horns and then it is a wolf. But no matter how they look those claws and teeth are bad news for everyone.

[ CRUMBLING, CRUMBLING. ] By day eight whole streets are disappearing. homes, houses. people need to be moved in closer around the congress sector. Colours crackle through the sky like lightning and the world shakes often.

It's not just the infrastructure but the memories of those in the city. Dreams have come realities and all but the most stubborn have begun to realise that this world is not their own. They are from another place. What is going on? Why are they in this city? Who are these people who are their 'family'?

Confusion and anger are growing in the streets and it is perhaps time for the Voidtreckers to come out of the shadows.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Home Sweet... Home?

Usagi misjudged her actions. She had easily overcome her brainwashing and had tried to rattle Mimi out of her illusion. All that gave her was not only her stuck with a pair of handcuffs, one cuff hanging off her wrist, and pictures of her flashing on screens.

There's no way she can head back to her home now. With a sigh, she'll keep to the shadows, hoping to find other Voidtrekkers.

If not, she'll figure out a way to keep going. She's done this song and dance for a year.

Encroaching Dangers

Monsters wandering around? That's not good at all. Usagi'll have to get to the bottom of this. The world feels like it's falling apart now. Of course, she'll have to be on her guard - it might be a monster, it might be an ambush.

Of course, it's happening at night. Always at night back home, too...

Still, she's on her guard...

Let Loose

Ooooookay, everything is falling apart even more and more. Now it's affecting the wildlife! Usagi had already saved a group of passerby from a tiger and now it has wings?

And they are quite dangerous, too, as the tails of her longcoat are torn by the claws of the creature.

"Who or whatever is controlling this world has lost its mind! It'll kill everyone if we don't do anything about it!"

Crumbling, Crumbling

This is crazy. More and more people are starting to "wake up" from the illusions and there is confusion and fear going on. Someone needs to stand up and lead them. Usagi doesn't want to - she's no leader - but if no one else will...

Using her Moon Stick to unleash a burst of magic, she'll get everyone's attention the best she can.

"Everyone, listen! I know you're scared and confused, but together, we can work through this! Yes, I am a Voidtrekker, but I and my companions are NOT the cause of this. None of us are that powerful. But, if we work together, trust each other, we can figure out what is going on and get everyone home safely!"

Wildcard!

(OoC: Hit me up here or poke me on Discord at

AshBlaze)

Yo.

[Kyoko steps out of a wall, which itself fades away to reveal the alleyway behind it. She gives Usagi a casual wave as her illusion fades.]

Need a hand, Usagi?

[Usagi'll gasp before she'll calm down a bit. She's still on guard but glad to see a familiar face]

I certainly could. It's good to see you, Kyoko.

[She'll hold up the cuffs.]

Know how to get rid of this?

[Kyoko snaps, and the cuffs unlock with a red glow.]

Took me a trip to a different universe to get my magic to a point where it's not guaranteed to kill me someday, but moments like this make it allll worth it.

[Usagi sighs as she awkwardly rubs her wrist. Hearing that makes her glad that this is normal Kyoko and not some brainwashed goon.]

Thanks. I owe you one.

[The genuine smile one her face shows that she's very thankful of Kyoko's interference.]

Bring back the illusion and we can talk?

Sure thing.

[The wall returns to cover the alleyway, chains layering under it to give it solidity.]

Anyway, don't mention it. The satisfaction of pissing off both that rainbow hack and law enforcement is all the reward I need.

[Usagi giggled at that. She wanted to laugh louder but not let anyone catch on.]

Hopefully we can do a bit more damage, yes?

We're starting to reach the point where we don't have to be subtle anymore. Just a bit longer and we'll be able to wreak all the havoc we want. Till then, I've heard word that monsters started roaming the streets tonight. I've got no clue if it's an effort to catch us or a side effect of this overextended mess falling apart, but sounds fun either way, right?

It certainly does…! I would be overjoyed to join you in taking out these beasts if you’d have me!

[This was so not like her, but Kyoko was starting to rub off on her. Someone else who could cut loose.]

Yondu's efforts to be discrete occasionally lead him into alleyways or under overhangs, just to keep out of the open and being his conspicuously colorful self. He's seen the images, knows a few of them are getting outed.

Hates it. Best he can do is offer some hidin' spots.

So he sees this poor girl skulking through an alleyway and he pssts at her loudly.

"Hey, hey... I'm a Voidtrecker, too. I'm Yondu, with blue team. You want me to take care of them cuffs for ya?" He pulls out a ring with lockpicks on it from his pocket, 'cause he's that kind of asshole. Prepared in the best-worst ways.

Usagi jumps a bit at the call, but as soon as Yondu explains who he is and what he wants to do, she settles down.

"Usagi Tsukino... or New Sailor Moon, whatever. Team Purple." she replied. She held up the cuffs and nodded. "Could you, please?"

"Yeah, don't worry. I got it."

He meets her halfway, going over and taking her hands. "I ain't used to these in particular so it's gonna take me a li'l' bit." He starts to work at one hinge rather than the lock, because loosening that way will be easier.

"You ain't hurt, right?"

“I’m fine, just annoyed. I let my guard down when dealing with one of us still under the effects…” Usagi said, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have fought her and yet here I am…”

"Sometimes a mess up makes the most sense to do in a situation, even if it wasn't the right call." He'd expected that eventually they'd be in a situation where they shouldn't be caught. That was a big concern of his. And here the hell they are! Ill-prepared and on wobbly legs.

Nothin' he could do about that right now. As an asshole who can't give up his own past errors he can just try and take the edge off hers. Finally one side of the cuffs come loose, then the other. "Where were ya headed?"

“Anywhere. Nowhere in particular.” Usagi said, glad to be free. “I was hoping to try to find more of us, but you see how that turned out.”

Sorry for the pessimistic attitude. She’s recovering.

“Run into others yourself?”

"Yeah, there's a few of us out there. I don't know who all you know, but I know your team lead's got his head on his shoulders right at the moment."

He puts the cuffs in his pocket to take a look at later.

"Hey, you found one of us." When did he become an optimist? "We'll get ya sorted."

Oh, good, all freed up.

“Good, good. The more the merrier, yes?” Usagi said, “I should probably keep out of sight until we can find more…”

He pats her shoulder. "I'll stick with ya until we find someone. That hair's pretty identifiable, though. If we see a place with a hoodie that don't look Voidtrecker make I'll run an' grab it."

She needs to be able to cover up some.

Usagi nodded at that. He had a point - her hair was too recognizable and letting it down would make it even worse.

“Guess I’m in your hands, then.” She said, smiling.

Hopefully Mami doesn't get arrested by happenstance just 'cause of the resemblance.

"We'll stick to the back alleys. Nowhere you feel safe or nothin'?"

They can at least head that direction. "If not I'll get you back to the bar they made me think was mine."

“Not old enough to drink, but it’s better to hide there than to find somewhere.” Usagi said.

“I really don’t have anywhere to go and I hate to get Rapunzel caught up in this if she’s still out of it.”

Rapunzel! Right. The girl with the frying pan.

"You tell me where she is, an' I'll go check up on her. The bar I was stayin' at was a hide-out for vigilantes so it's got a room in the back. That's what I'm thinkin'."

He hands her his phone, in the meantime.

"Here, you can use this to get a message to her if'n' you want to an' if she's got some recollection of who she is."

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So Familiar a Gleam: Ongoing

Usagi Tsukino | Sailor Moon (AU) | OTA

Home Sweet... Home?

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Home Sweet... Home?

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