exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

[riverviewmod]

who: everyone in Riverview!
what: exploration mingle: rescue mission!
when: June 15 - August 15
where: The River Structure
warnings: violence and/or torture; please put any necessary warnings in the subject lines

captivity

One of the major and most highly-valued cultural concepts in Riverview is that of exploration, expansion. Especially now that, with the recent influx of new arrivals, as the portal kicks into high gear for reasons not entirely known, the Inhabited City, already comfortably full, is rapidly becoming overpopulated. With all the refugees from other worlds pouring in from day to day, the city's safe space and resources are being taxed to their breaking point.

Right now, exploration and expansion is key, and each month, the government has decided to focus on a particular objective, in order to unite citizens in expanding, securing, and supplying the city for everyone's benefit.

the story so far

Exploration & Expansion Progress Report ● The Guardians of the Deep ● What Lies Beneath ● Plotting & Questions

After some serious flooding at the banks of the river, the cause was discovered to be the Guardians of the Deep, creatures protecting a circular labyrinthine structure underneath the river. Residents of the city explored and mapped the structure, and dealt with a good portion of the traps and other dangers, until they found a little piece of history in the Central Chamber of the structure, revealing that it was inhabited by the first people to live on the moon.

While this news has been exciting scholars and historians in the city, something a little more pressing has been bothering the average citizen - an ever-increasing number of missing persons. People have simply been disappearing all over the city, and only now are residents starting to realize why...

how it works

● Phases: Each prompt is a different phase of the operation. Characters may partake in whichever part of the operation they choose, whether it is a large and prominent part, or a more of a backseat or support role. Characters may participate in as many phases as they wish.

● Completion: When next month's exploration mingle goes up, the mission featured on this exploration mingle will be considered complete, and game canon, providing the entry has 200+ comments on it.

● Entry Reward: The reward for completion of this month's exploration objective will be...well, the safe return of everyone who was kidnapped. And some sweet hurt/comfort.

● IMPORTANT NOTE: Having observed how the pacing of exploration mingles has been going and how they are tagged, I have noticed that posting one exploration mingle each month has been a little hectic, both plotwise and for me as a mod (writing three mingles a month has been tough!). I have decided to space them out a bit further, and post an exploration mingle once every two months, starting with this one - the next exploration mingle will be posted in August!

phase i: the abducted

People don't simply go missing, they don't disappear into thin air, they have to be somewhere. And while those who are missing people keep frantically searching, those who have been kidnapped are the only ones besides the kidnappers who do know where they are.

Abducted by a group who have taken up residence in the structure under the city after last month's exploration died down, the missing are trapped in the Central Chamber, in fear of the kidnappers. Their abductors are a group of people that is starting to slowly take on cultist tendencies, believing that the remaining spirits of the First People still live in the structure, that it is a temple, and that those First People need offerings of host bodies to inhabit so they can return and bring their wisdom and magic back to the moon. Things are getting a little hairy - there's no agreement among the kidnappers as to how 'intact' the host bodies have to be and whether or not the sacrifice is in the form of alive or dead captives. Even worse, some of the kidnappers are only with the group to enjoy having power over others and using it to hurt them.

Captives are held in the Central Chamber of the structure, with next to no amenities. Blankets, food, water, and other necessities are in short supply, and they are kept huddled together, constantly guarded and either restrained, wearing or in the presence of a power suppressor to keep them subdued. But the captives haven't lost hope - they are working on getting a message out, finding a way to contact the outside world so their loved ones can rescue them...

This prompt is to play out interactions among the captives before they are rescued, and may include violence or other character suffering. It is also to enact plotted plans for the abductees to find connections with the outside world to summon help.

phase ii: distraction and infiltration

Once would-be rescuers become aware of where the captives are being held, they start making plans to rescue them - whether someone they love has been taken, they're just a good person, or they just want to feel like a big damn hero, there are lots of people willing to take the plunge and jump into the rescue. But the cult group has been in control of the structure for a while now, they definitely have the home team advantage. They know the lay of the land and where the traps are, and have used some of them to their own advantage.

It's not going to be as easy as storming the castle.

There are two parts to this phase of the rescue: a distraction and an infiltration. Distractions are planned to draw as many of the kidnappers away from the hostages being held in the Central Chamber as possible, while those who are stealthily infiltrating will try to find another entrance into the chamber so they can surprise and surround the remaining kidnappers.

This prompt is to play out any plans for distraction and infiltration. If you have plotted something out on the plotting post, feel free to post up a header for specific groups for threading rather than an individual character top-level.

phase iii: the brawl and after

Distractions only last so long, unfortunately, and so eventually the whole thing is going to break down into a big fight. Rescuers versus kidnappers, on the kidnappers' home turf, and surrounded by traps left over from the First People, while pieces of stationary tech throw out auras and waves of power suppression. It's going to be a doozy of a fight, so prepare for an epic throwdown!

And once the dust settles, there's going to be a lot of injuries to tend to, a lot of people traumatized and hurt and frightened. A lot of hungry, suffering people will need to be transported out, given medical care, and brought supplies.

This prompt is to play out the final fight between the kidnapping cult and the rescuers, as well as anything in the aftermath of the fight.

phase iv: wildcard

Have an idea for a mission-adjacent plot, or want to make up an unexpected plot twist or problem and solve it with your character? Just write up a starter, and don't forget to give yourself props by submitting it for the Progress Report.

navigation
[Asterion - Environment Art: Ariadne's Forest by Nicolas Mendoza]

Comments

Teddy Altman | Marvel 616

[analienprince]

Phase I

A. [The last thing he clearly remembers? Heading home from work before everything got kind of fuzzy and then went black. He's not an easy guy to knock out and he knows he had to have been hit with some sort of really strong magic to even accomplish that.

Teddy wakes up dizzy, his head aching and his body sluggish in ways it usually isn't. He's always been a fast healer. He's always been able to shrug off pain like it's nothing... because generally? It is. He knows something is wrong instantly, even before he realizes there's something wrapped tight around his neck. Whatever it is, he realizes in quick succession that it's preventing him from changing his shape, that it's knocked his strength down to zero.

It's alarming in ways he didn't think were possible. He feels cut off from himself, useless.

And okay, scared.

He's stuck as just Teddy Altman, in some creepy place where people think he's apparently just a swell host body for people who are apparently long since dead. Great. Just amazingly great. Like his life wasn't enough of a mess, he's in a sickeningly familiar role as a prisoner and an experiment.

Plus, Teddy Altman by himself is just an average guy with a lot of ear piercings. He's nowhere near as impressive as Hulkling, no where near as intimidating as he wants to be. He's not a small guy, maybe. He was big enough to hang with the jocks in high school, but that's not the kind of tough he needs right now.

But it isn't like Teddy to get scared, no. He gets angry. He gets defiant and stubborn, even with the power downgrade and being starved. It gets him pushed around, it gets him beat and abused in ways that make him want to curl into himself as bad memories get the better of him... but Teddy isn't one to back down or to not throw punches or kicks of his own when he's able to. He's not going to cower and give the kidnappers what they want.

Good thing he's always been good at putting on a brave face.

Besides, he's been dissected before, so like hell is he rolling over and accepting anything they try to do to him or others. He's not letting anyone else live a nightmare he's been through.]

B. [More than himself, Teddy is worried about the other captives. He might not think he's particularly amazing or special, but Teddy is used to being a shield. He's used to protecting others. Now is no different. He's not shy about acting out if someone is being harassed, drawing attention to himself whenever is possible. Even with the suppression, he's fairly sure he can live through it. He can deal with the pain.

Other people shouldn't have to.

If he's not trying to protect them by drawing the pain on to himself or wedging himself between others and their kidnappers, he's trying to check on those that seem like they're scared or hurt. He's trying to offer whatever distractions he possibly can. He's not above offering his helping of food or water to someone who might need it more than him. Perks of being an alien hybrid -- he's mostly capable of living on very little.]

C. [The very minute people start getting ideas for getting out of this mess, Teddy is on board. He's willing to act as a distraction for someone to get out, get them help in any way that they can as long as it means they get out already. If it means starting a fight with their guards or amongst themselves, whatever. He'll do it.]

Phase III

A. [He's a bruised, sore mess by the time it's all said and done, but the minute the suppression collar is removed from him, his healing kicks in to repair the damage. It's just... a lot. It'll take some time. He'll just look like a mess until then.

But Teddy is already feeling better, so when he can, he's checking on other rescued captives or anyone who's injured to make sure they're doing okay, talking to whoever approaches him. Even if it's to just reassure that he's doing okay.

... and maybe, once everything dies down a little bit, Teddy can be found tucked off by himself and away from sight, his hand changing to something less human and more alien. Or monstrous, depending on your perspective. His skin changes to green, his fingers growing larger and into claws as his skin thickens to something more like armor or scales. God, it feels good to be able to do that again... he can't even say. His abilities are what make him... well, him. They're a part of him. Having been cut off from them like that? It was a nightmare he doesn't care to repeat in the slightest.

Things are nowhere near okay, but at least they're slightly better than they were.]

i.b

[wiccant]

( teddy has been dissected before. even better? billy was the one who watched every second of it, eyes on teddy as scalpels cut into his skin, tore into him, tried to find organs that wouldn't cooperate but it was still--absolutely awful to watch. he remembers that day well, remembers how horrifying it had been (i want you to die) and it's that very memory that's choking him up now.

spells rambled under his breath in a near-constant stream as he keeps arms wrapped around his legs. billy's bruised, hungry, eyes red and puffy and shoulders shaking because he can't do this again, he really can't, he can't--watch this happen, again and tommy's here in the mess somewhere, teddy's here, teddy, who took the brunt of damage last time and he's--

flying across the floor after getting thrown to the side protecting someone else. predictably teddy. billy chokes back another fresh wave of sobs (those aren't getting the collar off, they're not protecting teddy, they're useless and gross and--) before getting onto his hands and knees, crawling across the dirt on shaky limbs before threading fingers into teddy's hair, holding tight onto him so he can press their foreheads together. )

Teddy--Teddy, please, stop, I--can't, I need you to--

[analienprince]

[Being de-powered sucks, by the way. It isn't like he doesn't feel pain ever when he's not. It isn't like he never gets hurt. He does, and he deals with it, like he's dealing with this... But it's so much more intense without all his protection, without all the natural advantages he has working for him.

He groans as he hits the floor, and for a moment, he can't bring himself to move at first. Everything aches and he can taste blood on his tongue.

Although seeing Billy crying actually hurts worse than the bruises and aches, especially when he crawls over to him like that.]

Hey-- [He manages a smile, as reassuring as he can make it as he lifts a hand to tangle through Billy's hair, trying to smooth it into some semblance of its normal self. He's a little anxious, doing this where their guards can see. He doesn't want them getting trouble for it, doesn't want Billy punished by association.

But he's crying and Teddy can't resist trying to make him stop.]

Hey, stop it. It'll be okay, B. No more crying.

[wiccant]

( there's a mess of curls going everywhere; a few days down here really has not helped billy tame his hair any. not that he gives a shit about where that's going right now. he can touch teddy like this, but he can't--do much to protect him. he has no power down here, it's--just like being back in the cube, under the warden's fingers.

those thoughts aren't doing jack shit to help him either. it only deepens the panic, and despite teddy's words he's definitely not calming down. instead, he shakes his head, presses in a little closer, tries to use his own body to shield teddy's from sight, from any further abuse. )

Please stop. ( it's a hushed whisper, voice cracking but he's not letting go of teddy, not now. ) I need you to be okay, I need you to--to be in one piece? Please, Teddy. I-I can't do this. Not again. I can't.

[analienprince]

I'm okay. I'm always okay, right? [He doesn't try to stop Billy from moving in, although he's not entirely comfortable with it. He doesn't need to be shielded... he doesn't need to be protected. Billy does.]

My body's kinda made for it. It protects itself, you know that-- [Not that he wants to bring it up. Billy's panicked enough as it is.]

Come on, Kaplan. You're the bravest guy I know... don't fall apart on me now. Besides I don't like it when you cry.

[And he's been doing too much of that lately. Giving up on trying to get his hair back into place, Teddy just lets his arm settle around him.]

I need you to be okay... whatever that costs me.

[wiccant]

No. ( a shake of his head and billy leans in even closer, forehead pressing into teddy's own as he leans into him. limbs still shake, fingers tightening their grip in teddy's hair because he is afraid; afraid of what will happen if he lets go, afraid of someone cutting into teddy again, of watching him get hurt.

billy won't let that happen again. not--not after last time. ) No, you're not always okay. I'm--not that brave. I'm trying but--but I can't do this, T.

( being kidnapped, sure. that's horrible, but it's something he can deal with. something he can figure out how to work around. )

I can't watch someone hurt you again. Please don't make me.

[analienprince]

[He reaches up to cover one of Billy's hands with his own, squeezing it firmly, reassuringly.]

Billy-- you've invaded Latveria single-handedly, you've stood up to the Avengers and the X-Men both... You've done so many brave things. You can do this too. [He knows he can.]

No-- Billy, I can't. No. [He doesn't want to hurt Billy. When does he ever? But--] I can't-- let people be hurt. If they try to lay a hand on you or Tommy, you can't ask me to not do something. I'd take a thousand beatings if it means I don't have to see people I love hurt, okay? I watched my mom die... I won't watch either of you two get hurt by idiots who think we're hosts or sacrifices or whatever.

[He'd rather die than do that.]

But I'm here now... take a breath, okay?

iii.a

[yakyuuman]

[ After being sure his brothers are going to be fine, and having someone patch him up, Jyushimatsu is wandering the place in search of familiar faces. He may have spoken to some of them only once, but he's still a bit concerned about their status now that his family is out of harm's way.

He finds Teddy somewhere hidden from sight, quickly recognizing him as the guy he chatted with a week or so ago on the network. There's something weird happening to the guy's skin, but Jyushimatsu fearlessly approaches with a big smile on his face! His clothes are covered in blood, he's got burns and scratches all over him and the worst wound is on his head where a thick bandage has been wrapped all around it, but he's fine! He's more than fine! ]

Hey Teddy! I didn't know you were a hostage too! Are you okay?

[ He tilts his head, sleeves drawn to his chest in mild apprehension. ]

[analienprince]

[Teddy quickly shifts his hand back to normal the very minute he hears a familiar voice. He's almost sheepish when he turns to face Jyushimatsu, already recognizing the voice from the network, but--

then he sees him. Blooied and bandages and-- okay. No, he's instantly worried.]

I should be asking you. Are you okay? What happened? [He takes a few steps towards him before forcing a more reassuring smile.]

I'm okay. Beat up? But I'll live, I think.

[yakyuuman]

I fought the bad guys like everyone else! Didn't you see that?

[ Jyushimatsu chuckles and flails his sleeves, very much unbothered by the wounds and how much blood is on his person. He's used to much worse, frankly. ]

I'm fine! Just some scratches here and there! Those guys were tough but I managed to whack a bunch of them anyway!

[analienprince]

I've seen so many people fighting... it's kind of amazing. And really chaotic.

[He lets out a laugh despite himself. Hey-- at least nothing gets him down, right?]

That's pretty amazing, you know. I'd hate to see what those guys look like right now.

[yakyuuman]

They've all got nasty bumps on their heads for sure, and some broken bones I caused just cuz they wouldn't stay down!

[ Don't underestimate a wooden baseball bat just because it looks harmless. He would show the ones he used, but they got destroyed from overuse eventually. ]

But what was that green skin thing you had going on? Your arms looked bigger for a moment! Are you really okay Teddy?

[analienprince]

I don't blame you... There were a lot of stubborn people in that group.

[Crazy fanatics tend to be the worst...

And hey! That's totally fine He doesn't need to see the bats, nope.

He gives a sheepish look.]

Oh-- you saw that? [Welp. He's not that bothered but some people can be a little creeped out by the powers thing...]

Sorry, yeah. I'm okay. I can change my shape... I was just testing it to make sure everything's back now that the suppressor is off.

iii.a i dont even know man just endure me

[madeupnames]

[As chaos breaks out in the hallway, one of the guards at the door seems kind of panicked, like he's not sure whether to leave the doorway and fight, or watch the prisoners. Which is just fine. Sure, buddy, you linger there.]

Think fast!

[THUNK

The guard goes flying out of sight with a holler of surprise down the corridor, all thanks to the large rock that has barreled into him (suspiciously attached to a web that was definitely a slingshot at one point). Another figure comes into the holding area in his place — or rather, crawls in across the wall on all fours.

It's probably a familiar and weird sight to behold: check it out, it's Spider-Man.

He looks up sharply, right at Teddy.]

He didn't think fast.

[Everyone stares blankly, and he adds:]

What's up, guys?

ahhh, this is perfect!

[analienprince]

[Its probably the first real, genuine smile Teddy has given in so long when he sees who it is that just came swinging in like it was no big deal.

Teddy looks up from where he stands. He's beat up, he's tired, and that suppressor collar is driving him crazy... but you have no idea how good it is to see someone familiar.

Or familiar-ish.

Different costume than the Spider-Man he's familiar with, but he doesn't really care at the moment.]

Things are so much better now that you're here.

[He looks around. He might not be in great shape by any stretch of the imagination, but there are people a lot worse off than him, that can't probably even walk so--]

Think you're up for giving some of us a lift? I can help...

[madeupnames]

Hey, that's exactly what I'm here for, my guy!

[And hey, the mask helps mask the trill of outrage when he sees that they slapped a collar on Teddy, too. Those assholes — so many people are suffering here, and it's just a good thing Peter's not a violent person by nature. He's not here to kill, but he can't blame some people for how intense they've gotten, faced with their captors. He just... does his best to web people up before it gets bloody.

Still. He's angry, too. He gets it.

His voice is casual and optimistic, anyway.]

You want me to get that thing off your neck? It's pretty tacky fashionware.

[analienprince]

It's not my best accessory, no.

[And it's inhibiting his healing and shifting a lot, but-- those feel like minor problems at the moment. He's standing, that's enough.]/small>

You don't have to worry about me -- I'm a lot tougher than I look. There are people down here though-- they're dehydrated and starving. I don't think they're walking out.

[madeupnames]

Hey, hey, I worry about everybody.

But if you're able to handle it, we can get everyone out first, huh?

[He's unsure, though — because Teddy's still a little beat up, and all. But... He gets it, at least. If he were in the guy's shoes he'd want everyone else handled first. He moves quickly to scoop up one of the closest young ladies (barely younger than him, really), and she seems appreciative but — yeah, dehydrated and tired. "Thank you," she mumbles and Spider-Man smiles through his voice:]

Not a problem; I'm always happy to help, miss.

Whoever's strong enough to follow — come with me! I made a pathway that's safe to get through, okay? And anyone who can't leave yet, don't worry; I'm coming right back.

[analienprince]

Yeah-- don't worry about me. I've done stuff like this before. Just lead the way?

[And clearly, this isn't the Spider-Man he knows, or he'd probably at least recognize him a little... but that's okay. It's a Spider-Man and he's still a good guy.

And Teddy is still totally a fan.

He goes to help out the closest person next to him pulling him up carefully.]

Hey, come on-- it'll be okay now.

i.b;

[neversurrender]

[Teddy isn't the only one who has been making enemies of their kidnappers. Even without the serum Steve falls back on years of dealing with bullies and the like, with him always at the disadvantage. But disadvantaged doesn't mean weak or powerless. For every hit he takes to spare someone else he finds a sense of purpose that allows him to endure their conditions.

But he doesn't find it so easy to accept others making a similar sacrifice. Especially when the one making it is so young. As he watches Teddy jump between one of the kidnappers and their would be victim, he can't help but think 'he's just a kid'. A kid who just a few weeks ago he had been competing with over a strength game.

Bruised and beaten as he is, he makes his way to his feet and crosses the distance between them faster then one would expect him to be able after days-weeks?-of little food and nourishment. Sliding in front of Teddy, he takes a sharp punch to his side in the teen's stead. Taking a sharp inhale, he meets the eyes of the kidnapper.]

Too afraid to take me on, you go for a kid instead?

[The kidnapper snarls and pulls his fist back again to land another blow.]

[analienprince]

[It's fine. It's fine if he's hurt. The minute, the very minute, he gets the collar off he'll start to heal. It's just a matter of waiting out their time here, waiting until people find them. So Teddy doesn't mind taking every punch and kick, every cruel action their kidnappers want to dish out.

It's fine, because it means it's not happening to someone else who doesn't deserve it in even the slightest.

He doesn't do well watching other people take blows for him. It twists something inside of him, fear and anger and pain... a useless feeling like he's not doing enough.

After all, he's usually near invulnerable. He's used to playing a Hulkling-shaped shield for his team.

Seeing Steve hit so hard that he's half-surprised he's still even standing has him letting out a strangled no.]

Don't-- no, you don't have to! Please...

[He might be a kid by Steve's standards, but he's been through war and torture and just-- he can't see anyone else hurt in front of him, least of all when they're good people.

[He pushes himself forward, trying his best to get an arm around Steve, to guard him as much as he can. It's probably laughable honestly-- he's big as Teddy, but nowhere near as big as when he's Hulkling, and Steve isn't a tiny guy by any stretch of the imagination.

Still, he's got to try.]

They're cowards either way... it doesn't matter--

[neversurrender]

[Steve tenses his body, bracing for another blow by the guard, but is caught by surprise when he feels arms wrap around him from behind and pull him back. He makes an aborted gasp of protest as the blow lands on Teddy instead. His first instinct is to struggle free, but he's tired, hungry, and dehydrated, giving him little strength to put up much of a fight.]

Stop. Teddy--you're just making it worse for yourself.

[The guard takes a step back, watching their struggle with faint amusement. Each of them fighting over who is going to take the next blow. He grins and it fills Steve with a hatred so profound it nearly takes his breath away.]

It does matter. You're just a kid. I should be the one protecting you.

[analienprince]

So are you... I can't just-- it's fine. I can take it. I'm used to it.

[Okay, he's used to shielding people and not taking so much damage, but either way, he'd rather not sit back and let Steve take punches for him. He'll live. He'll deal with it.]

I'm eighteen. [And okay, maybe that's still largely a kid by some standards, but...

Either way, his jaw tightens when he sees that grin, eyes narrowing with just-- anger. How can someone treat other people this way and get joy out of it? Even if he's seen plenty of people capable of it, it still twists something inside of him, makes him angry. He just wishes he had his usual strength, that he could shift into something so much more intimidating, something more capable of taking that grin off the guard's face.

As it is, Teddy pulls his attention off the guard -- if he's going to hit them again, he'll hit them whether Teddy is looking or not. He manages a smile.]

Come on-- don't hog all the good punches for yourself.

[neversurrender]

['I'm used to it'. The words tear at something inside him, making his chest constrict uncomfortably. There are a lot of ways that those words can be taken, and Steve can't help but wonder about the worst case scenarios. Has Teddy been hurt like this before? By bullies? By something worse? If that's the case then it only makes him want to protect the teen all the more. So he doesn't have to experience anymore suffering.

But he can't exactly ask about it with the guard looming nearby them. He doesn't need to know anymore about their weaknesses. The more they give to these creeps the higher the likeliness of it being used against them.]

This isn't something you should get used to. [Which, coming from him, is a bit amusing considering the amount of fight he would start when he was younger.]

And I'm old enough to be your grandfather. [He attempts a smile.] You'll always be a kid to me.

Sorry. It's kind of a habit of mine to take all the punches. My friend Bucky will tell you, it's kind of a talent of mine.

[analienprince]

[He's-- been in a situation like this before. Kidnapped, only dissected like a science project. He's been in fight after fight since he was sixteen years old. Hell, he's been in a war. But none of that is stuff he should get into right now, not when he's barely dealing with the panic of being right back in a position he hates being in.]

It's-- I heal really fast, okay? And I can usually hit really hard too. [None of that's working right now, of course, but he doesn't want Steve to worry and a little white lie isn't the worst thing to tell, right?]

Yeah, well-- [He shifts a little squaring up a little more, looking at the guard defiantly.] Maybe I'll start looking at you like that when you grow a long white beard.

[Bucky, huh? He gives a wry smile. He sort of figured he might be that Steve, but he guesses that's confirmation enough.] I work with-- my version of you back home. I know exactly what kind of man you are. But I'm guessing you can't take as many punches as usual if you're suppressed, right?