THE THINGS I GAVE YOU.
» THE BANK — INTRODUCTORY NOTES
District 2 is open, bringing with it access to new and interesting locations—including the city's main bank branch. The bank is a large building with a stone exterior, wrought iron grating on the windows, and large, heavy metal doors that take surprisingly little effort to open, their hinges silent and well-oiled.
Early in the day on July 19, characters in the vicinity of the bank will hear first a low, metallic creaking sound from inside the building, like metal straining against metal. This is followed by the sharper noise of locks disengaging, and then the large, heavy doors on the front of the building swing open slightly, enough to let a person through.
Directly inside the doors is the bank lobby, and beyond that is the main banking floor, with elegant marble flooring and dimly lit chandeliers. It would appear that this was once the main commercial bank of the city, although it is now completely empty, with no tellers behind the counters and no cash in any of the drawers.
You may rifle through the tills and filing cabinets to your heart's content, but similar to the files in City Hall, there is no useful information to be found—all the papers are blank, or are empty forms without any personally identifying information. There are no monetary devices to be found either; this is, after all, not a city that operates on a cash system, so there are no coins or paper bills in any of the tills or, indeed, anywhere within the bank.
What you might be able to find, though, is a rack of delicate, burnished brass keys on a wall toward the back of the main banking hall. Each of these keys is attached to a stamped metal keychain bearing a name on one side and a number on the other. Some of these may be names you recognize, and some of them may not, but they are all names belonging to current residents of the city, and each key corresponds to a safety deposit box within the vault at the back of the building. Can you remember what you stored in that box for safekeeping? Maybe you had better go find out.
At the back of the main banking hall is a vault secured with a large circular metal door. The door is currently unlocked and propped open; it can be closed, but cannot be locked (intentionally, anyway) from either the inside or the outside. The vault contains row upon row of safety deposit boxes, each locked. Participating characters who are in possession of a key can open their own safety deposit box, but it is not currently possible to force open any safety deposit box that does not belong to them. After August 1, players will be able to use their safety deposit boxes to store their own belongings, and break-ins will become possible with prior player permission and appropriate consequences.
Below sections detail the safety deposit boxes for both choose-your-own-adventure players and randomized players! Please see the randomized matches for this event HERE.
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IT'S TRUE, PEOPLE TAKE THINGS BUT RARELY.
» SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES — A SELF-GUIDED TOUR
For some of you, getting into your safety deposit box is quite straightforward.
You take your key from the rack behind the teller's counter and make your way back through the building and into the vault. It's cool inside, the temperature well-regulated and the air dry. On the walls are rows upon rows of safety deposit boxes, and it may take you a moment to find the one that corresponds to the number stamped on your key. Does that number mean anything to you? It may, or it may not.
When you find your box, it takes very little effort to open it. A slide of your key, a quick turn, and the safety deposit box's door springs open to reveal the metal container within. You remove the metal box from the wall and bring it over to the table in the center of the room, clearly placed there for this express purpose. Maybe there are others around, or maybe you're alone. Do you remember yet, what it was you put in here? Well, there's no time like the present to check.
You open the safety deposit box to find—something that shouldn't be there. It's yours, that much you're sure of, but you didn't bring it with you to the city. You reach into the box to pick it up, and the surge of memory is immediate, sending your mind back to your strongest memory associated with the item in your hand.
Then the vault door swings shut, trapping you inside with whoever else has the misfortune of sharing the vault with you right now. No matter what force you try, the door won't open again. There doesn't appear to even be a mechanism that unlocks the door from the inside, and from within several feet of metal and stone, no one on the outside will be able to hear you shout. It seems hopeless—how long can anyone last, trapped in a place like this?
Should you turn back to the open safety deposit box, you might notice a slip of paper resting on the bottom. The paper looks aged, like it's been in the box for quite some time, and in printed text it reads: "Nothing is yours. It is to use. It is to share. If you will not share it, you cannot use it."
Maybe it means you should let another hold the item you've retrieved from the box… or maybe it means you should share the weight of memory. Try to interpret the meaning in whatever way you can. But should you decide to unburden yourself, and share with someone else the weight of the item you're holding in your hands, you may find that there's a means of escape after all.
Once you free yourself from the vault, for the next several days you find yourself feeling rather honest, like you may not be able to stop yourself from confessing the truth about the item you now carry…
Characters who wish to participate in the event, but who do not wish to randomize the contents of their safety deposit boxes, can open their safety deposit boxes to find an emotionally significant item belonging to the character—player's choice as to what the item is. The only guidelines are that it should be small enough to fit reasonably in a pocket and may not have any magical or weapon properties. Similarly, players are able to choose the memories associated with the items in the safety deposit boxes. The vault door will remain closed until the characters in the vault explain to each other the significance of their items and the memory associated with them, at which point it the vault mechanisms will disengage and the door will swing open as if it had never closed to begin with. However, for the four days following the event, characters who carry their safety deposit box item on their person will feel oddly compelled to tell other characters about its significance and meaning.
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A CRASH-SITE IS SACRED, WE'RE FAITHFUL.
» SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES — A JOINT VENTURE
For others of you, the contents of the safety deposit box may be considerably more disconcerting.
You also take your safety deposit box key from the rack behind the bank teller's counter and make your way back through the building and into the vault. It's cool inside, the temperature well-regulated and the air dry. On the walls are rows upon rows of safety deposit boxes, and it may take you a moment to find the one that corresponds to the number stamped on your key. Does that number mean anything to you? It may, or it may not.
When you find your box, it takes very little effort to open it. A slide of your key, a quick turn, and the safety deposit box's door springs open to reveal the metal container within. You remove the metal box from the wall and bring it over to the table in the center of the room, clearly placed there for this express purpose. Maybe there are others around, or maybe you're alone. Do you remember yet, what it was you put in here? Well, there's no time like the present to check.
You open the safety deposit box to find—wait, what is that? It certainly doesn't belong to you. Tucked inside the safety deposit box alongside the item is a slip of paper with another name on it, as well as a cryptic message: "Nothing is yours. It is to use. It is to share. If you will not share it, you cannot use it." The item isn't yours, but it does appear to belong to another resident of the city. Maybe your safety deposit boxes somehow got mixed up? It seems like it would be a good idea to find this person and return their property to them.
Whether you encounter the owner of the item in the vault or elsewhere in the city, when it comes time to hand the item over, two things happen. One—the doors are locked tight, refusing to allow either you or the item's owner out until you both understand what the item is and what it means to the other. To unburden your heart is the only way to free yourself.
And two—as the owner of the item explains its significance, you find yourself oddly captivated, resonating strongly with whatever emotion the item's owner most closely associates with it. You may not be able to see the memory that the other person describes, but you can certainly feel the emotions they felt—after all, the easiest way to unburden oneself is to share the load with another. Isn't that right?
Once you free yourself from your enthralled state, and once you have your own belongings returned to you, for the next several days you find yourself feeling rather honest, like you may not be able to stop yourself from confessing the truth about the item you now carry…
Characters who opted to randomize the contents of their safety deposit box during the plotting post, or who plotted a joint experience with another character, will open their safety deposit boxes to find a small, non-magical but emotionally significant item belonging to another player character in the city. They will need to find the owner of that item and return it to them—this can either be inside the bank vault or in another location within the city. Regardless of where the meeting takes place, the character holding the item will find themselves unable to leave until the character who owns the item explains its significance; as they do, the holder of the item will find themselves swept up in the emotional highs and lows of the memories associated with that item, allowing them to share all of the feelings, regrets, joys, griefs, and rages that the owner experiences in the telling. Additionally, for the four days following the event, characters who carry their safety deposit box item on their person will feel oddly compelled to tell other characters about its significance and meaning.
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WILDCARD.
The city is by no means small, and there are plenty of things for you to see. There's no rush in exploring, so feel free to take your time looking around and peering into various nooks and crannies and alleyways—and don't worry, you're not very likely to find anything peering back.
If none of the above prompts appeal, feel free to check out the Locations and Maps pages and write your own freestyle prompt using one or many of the available locations.
This month's event headers come from "The Things" and "The Gatherer," two poems by Brendan Constantine. The text of the paper slip comes from Ursula K. LeGuin's The Dispossessed.
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citylogs2023-07-19 08:45 pm
no subject
Yes. Very. One of a kind.
[Pun intended, and there is a part of his pride that more than believes that; however, he's not about to find any value in being given 001 as a number from this city, where it feels more like a slight against him — a little joke to rankle his nerves.]
You haven’t been even a little bit curious? [Here, he allows his smile to skew a little dubious.] I find that hard to believe. Are you afraid of what you'll find, maybe?
no subject
One. The answer is one.]
Afraid? Ha! No. I simply can’t be bothered with such mundane things as a box with my name on it. I know I did not put anything in there, so how could it possibly have anything for me? Perhaps later I will store things there myself, but for now I see no point. [Just who does he think he’s fooling?]
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And really, the facades others put up really are quite funny; some things never change, even in a city pulled far, far away from his own universe. (Henry Creel is hypocrite prime, over here.)]
Because this city has been more than happy to provide items that we didn't ask for. [Of course, he thinks of that ridiculous welcoming party from before.] It's reasonable to think the same might happen now, don't you agree?
[He wonders, though... Henry's desire to really know how this man feels about this key, this bank, their mystery boxes, isn't necessarily at an all-time high, but he knows that his powers aren't quite what they once were in this place. They're in dire need of testing, experimentation. (Oh, wouldn't Papa be proud.) If Henry reaches out with his mind to brush against Loki's, just for the sake of gleaning whatever might be on the surface, what might happen?]
no subject
[Loki sees his point, sort of. He just thinks they are completely different things. The welcome party, or whatever one would like to call it, felt almost impersonal and generic, but this is the opposite of that. If people really were getting something from their own lives, then it seems strange to compare anything the city has 'provided' so far.
What might happen? Well, Henry is just going to have to try and find out, isn't he?]
no subject
[In that case, yes, he will brush his own mind to glean over Loki's, just to see what he might pick up in passing. All the while, he continues his idle chatter as though it were nothing at all.]
You can come with me to look if you want.
no subject
It’s then that he notices something that is not him brushing over his mind. He frowns, immediately suspecting the man speaking to him, despite his calm and idle chatter. Just a distraction, Loki knows. The attempt is weak at best, though stronger than Loki would have suspected from a human. That revelation makes Henry much more interesting to Loki, but he isn’t going to say so just yet. Though, as a result of not expecting such an attack from him, Loki’s barriers weren’t fully up at the moment, so just before his mind slams shut, Henry might gather that Loki is actually very curious to know what is in his box.]
I might go with you, but only if you never attempt to enter my mind uninvited again. [His tone is stern and shows he means business. No one is allowed to walk through Loki’s mind rent free and if anyone ever tries, they likely wouldn’t enjoy what they found.]
no subject
I'm surprised you noticed anything at all.
[His polite facade doesn't retract, but it does flicker just for a moment, brow cinching, but only slight.]
Sorry. [he's not actually sorry] I couldn't help but pry and see if you were being sincere about not caring. Most don't notice anything if I'm trying to be subtle about it.
no subject
[As he expected, the expression on Henry's face is a mask. One Loki has worn many times himself. It takes one to know one and all that. Loki only raises an eyebrow, clearly disbelieving of the apology.] And why would you care about my sincerity? What is it to you if I care what is in my box or not?
[Though Loki was quite a curious person himself, he did not appreciate others prying into his inner thoughts. It is something he is capable of himself, but he rarely uses it. Apparently some things were taboo to the godling.] Well, I am not one of those people. Do not try that again. You will regret it.
no subject
[A small, light laugh. His pride would flare higher, more hotly, if not for the fact that he knows his powers aren't what they are.]
They used to be pretty impressive.
[As for the question, he can't help but just shrug a shoulder.] Don't worry. I won't try it again, especially since I can't get away with it.
[Framed as a joke... but is it Really.]
As for whatever's in your box, I just find the difference between the facades people put up, and what they're really thinking... interesting. That and I can't imagine not being curious about what's in there -- and I know you are.
no subject
Oh, I am sure they were. [He adds just enough sarcasm to cover that he believes him, though he can’t imagine he’s as strong as Loki is himself.]
Yes, I imagine that was about as much as you managed to glean off of your attempted trek through my mind. That does not mean I am ready to see what is in there yet. For now I suggest you concern yourself with whatever they have given you.
no subject
So far.]Are you sure? If you need moral support- [Maybe now he's just being a little bit of an asshole about it, smiling serenely.] -I'll go with you. I promise I won't tell anyone.
no subject
I assure you I am fine, though I wonder if you are merely covering for your own worries. If you wish further company, I am willing, though I warn you now I am not very good at moral support.
no subject
That's fine. Consider it good practice.
[For now, he pockets the key and turns to head towards the safety deposit boxes in question, on the other end of the bank.]
Come on. Let's just see how much my worries are validated.
[ok maybe a little obnoxious.]
no subject
Loki just manages to hide his chuckle at that. Turns out it is also possible to be amusing and obnoxious at the same time.]
Oh, I cannot wait. [Because really, after this brief encounter, Loki is more curious to know what this place might give a person like Henry more than finding out what is in his own box anyway.]
no subject
Off he goes then, with the expectation that the other might follow.]
So what's your name?
[Seems an important bit to have skipped over, though niceties are so often at the bottom of Henry's actual priority list.]
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Loki walks up beside him as they head towards the vault. No chance is he going to have it look like he’s following someone. He leads or they walk together.]
Ah yes, I have forgotten my manners. I am Loki Odinson of Asgard. And what might I call you?
no subject
[And while Henry might not be... completely and thoroughly familiar with Norse mythology, Loki's name is certainly prominent enough to strike up a mote of surprise across his features. He turns his head to look at him while they walk.]
Loki of Asgard? Like the god?
[lol what]
no subject
[Though he’s slightly amused by the bit of surprise he notes on Henry’s face, he is already anticipating the follow up question which really is getting quite tedious to answer. It seems no one thinks he might actually exist. It’s annoying to say the least. He rolls his eyes and sighs.]
Yes, that Loki.
[He’s almost starting to prefer the people who haven’t heard of him at all.]
no subject
That's not what I expected.
[His mind churns, churns. Wonders what this means about the capabilities of this city.]
Not that I don't believe you, but... You're saying that this city has the ability to kidnap a god. That doesn't bode well for us.
[A beat.]
You must be very old.
no subject
Oh no? And what did you expect then?
And no, it does not. My only explanation is that they caught me at a very inopportune time. [Kidnapping someone at the moment of their death had to be the only way it had been possible, or so Loki assumes.
He can’t help but be a little amused at that last comment though.]
I suppose that depends on what you think of as old. Compared to humans, I am. But for my own species I am actually quite young.
no subject
[Which is not really an insult, but he suspects gods would have had a grander presence to them. Their meeting seems oh-so mundane, but maybe that explains the bit about sensing his telepathy.]
What sort of inopportune time?
[It was either that or how old are you, then?, but Henry has opted for the nosier of the two questions.]
no subject
I was in, shall we say, a weakened state when I awoke here. May I ask what sort of situation you were in when you found yourself suddenly on the train?
[Yes, Loki is trying to shift the focus a bit here. He’s not told anyone yet that he’s discovered he had died just before waking on the train, though he knows that some people here are aware of his death simply by being from his time.]
no subject
A fact that frustrates on a normal day. But when someone's trying to pry a lopsided amount of information from him? It works in his favor.]
That's hard to explain, mostly because I'm not sure what was happening. I think... I had transitioned from one world to another.
no subject
I see. And do you know how that sort of transition happens in your world?
[He’s wondering if it would be like being grabbed in the split second during teleportation when you are not where you started nor where you will be. If it is, it’s just another sign of how much power this city seems to have.]
no subject
It's the first I'd ever seen. But psychic powers manifest in a myriad of ways, so it's not like it wasn't possible.
[It clearly was, given what happened to him.]
(no subject)