riverviewlogs | exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

Entry tags:

exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

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]

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[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.

( 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.

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.

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.

[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?

( the situation then was different. this is teddy, bruised and battered and laying on a dirt-covered ground, taking hits because he thinks he's invincible. usually, he's fairly close. now? now the bruises he gets are sticking, staying on his skin, the aches and pains aren't going away in a few moments flat. )

Tommy and I can take a few hits, we'll be okay. ( he murmurs soft, turning his head and shifting up to press a soft kiss to the top of teddy's hand. ) I watched you get dissected, last time we were stuck like this. Remember? I watched a monster cut into you, like you were nothing more than--some science class project. I almost--wished someone dead, I can't. .

( swallowing hard, billy turns one of his hands, grabs onto teddy's own. )

If you get hurt trying to protect me, I don't know what I'll do.

[He knows hes not invincible -- right now, especially. But it's easier to deal with physical pain than the way his insides are twisting with fear and uncertainty... the worry over Tommy and Billy being here and his inability to do anything about it.]

I know you can take hits... [Doesn't mean he has to like it though. He lets out a shaky sigh, shifting to guide Billy's hand down pressing it to his chest.

His pulse might quicken at the thought of the Warden, fear griping him at the memory, but he pushes it down as quick as he can.]

Billy... you're getting out of this. We're both getting out of this. I survived that-- remember? I'll survive this too.

[Hopefully anyway, but usually, all Billy needs is a little certainty.]

Stop thinking about what happened then. Think about something else. What you're gonna do when we get out of here or something. Something happier.

( badum, badum. it's fast but the beat of teddy's heart against his hand is more comforting than even those words coming out of his mouth. billy focuses on the steady rhythm, hand flattened against his chest and weight pressing down against it, attention focusing down to his palm. badum badum, and teddy keeps talking, tells him not to think about what happened back at the cube, what the warden did. that they'll get out of here, that everything will be okay and he knows what teddy's trying to do, here. offering him comfort, trying to focus his attention elsewhere.

it's such a teddy thing to do. and that itself is comforting, too. there here, together. they'll figure this out, together. and god, he wants to cry and scream again. go straight up to those cultists and give them a piece of his mind.

instead billy nods his head, soft. doesn't move away from teddy at all, attention focused down. )

Tommy and I were apartment hunting.

( it's spoken soft, fingers digging in tight to teddy's chest. badum badum. )

Just--to have a place of our own.

So am I... think I might've found a place.

[Billy seems to be relaxing a little bit at least, and that let Teddy relax some in return. Not entirely. He doesn't think he can relax entirely... not when he's feeling helpless in ways he's not used to, not when they're trapped.

But he can go on with that topic. It's nice, it's safe. He idly squeezes at Billy's hand when it digs into his chest a little more, something to ground himself with.]

Do we owe each other housewarming gifts now?

( no one's getting between them. hitting teddy. hitting him. like this he can still pretend like he's guarding him. protecting him at least a little bit. as long as no one starts shoving billy off to throw teddy around this is fine. fingers curl around teddy's own, just enough to get a good grip on him. when he's leaning down this close, he can almost pretend they're not stuck underground with collars on. almost. )

Maybe. I'll--get you a Captain America poster, I know how much you love those.

( the smallest smile, even if it fades a moment after when it causes the cut on his lip to pull. )

So you can put it right over your bed.

You know me too well, B. Should I get you something to do with Lord of the Rings? Maybe a 'Speak Friend and Enter' sign that's not hand written on notebook paper...

[He manages another smile for Billy, meeting his eyes briefly. They're being left alone now... and after a moment, he starts to shift up. He should get off the floor, now that the pain has eased up a little at least.]

I could say the same for you.

( attention shifted solely onto teddy, and billy has full intentions of keeping it that way. a hand moves back, grabs onto a shoulder to gently help teddy back up even if billy keeps himself angled to block him off from everything else. everyone else. )

Maybe I like my notebook paper.

It was an adorable sign, Kaplan.

[He lets out a groan when he's upright and his body protests it a little. He can't quite help it, it sneaks up before he can stifle it back down.

He really can't wait to get this collar off. Let his body do its thing and heal already.]

Gotta leave me something to get you though.

I want you, in one piece. ( that's easy enough to catch. one hand to teddy's chest, staying firmly planted and the other--moves to wrap around his waist. holds onto him gently as billy shifts his own weight up onto his knees and keeps in close. )

Not full of cuts and bruises, not hurting. That's all I want, okay? That's the best housewarming gift you can give me.

Billy-- as soon as the collar comes off, I'll be okay. I always am...

[He doesn't protest it when Billy seems to want to wrap around him even more. If it's keep him calm-- well, that's for the best.]

Worry about taking care of yourself, okay? I don't want to see you hurt, no matter what.

[He lifts a hand, carefully brushing his thumb over Billy's split lip.]

You've already been hurt enough.

( under the assumption it will come off before teddy gets himself into more trouble. before something bad happens. these guys here don't seem to give a shit what condition they're in and teddy has a knack for throwing himself in front of everyone else.

it's one of the things he fell in love with: teddy's overly courageous knack for getting into trouble in an effort to save everyone else around him.

but here, it doesn't make him feel any better. the thumb over his lip garners a wince, but he doesn't move away. )

This is nothing. They're--just acting like crazed school bullies, I'll heal.

( look it's fine for him to take a few new bruises on, it's not fine for teddy. )

[There's no real promise of that, honestly. He'll try to do it away from Billy, if it happens. He'll try to keep the worst of it to himself. Worrying Billy isn't one of the things he necessarily wants to do.

He drops his hand after a moment, giving a wry smile.]

I know you will. But I still don't like seeing it. You can't blame me for that, B... not when you hate seeing it on me.

[He lets out a sigh, resisting the urge to wince again.]

I can't wait to get out of here. I feel like I could sleep for a week...

[Except he probably won't sleep at all. Too many bad memories coming to the surface.]

( none of them have slept in what feels like forever. or not slept much. billy--has dozed, only to be rudely woken up. but this is okay. this is fine. this is something they'll get through. they're missing some of the avengers, they'll be found eventually.

billy raises the hand he had wrapped around teddy's back, moves to press fingers to the back of his neck, instead. tries to yank him down a little. )

Take a nap. I'll try and make sure no one notices. ( as best as he can, anyway. ) When we get out--show me your new place? We can--take turns, sleeping it off. Make sure it's safe.

[They'll get through it, yeah. Or Teddy will try his hardest to make sure Billy and Tommy and anyone else he can manage get through it -- he doesn't have to say that out loud though. He lets out half a protest when Billy tugs at him--

Then he relents a little, scooting down until his head is resting against Billy's shoulder. Hopefully, it'll look like they're just huddled together, trying to keep warm or something.]

You don't have to-- [Billy should sleep anyway. He hesitates at the offer, letting out a short laugh.] You don't have to, you know. You got a life you should get back to...

[Babysitting Teddy because he's scared shouldn't be at the top of the list honestly...] But sure. You can see my new place...

( every other problem currently going on seems so small in comparison to what's happening now. he could complain, bitch about all the stupid fights he's been having, lately. about screaming loki out--what, the day before this happened? about needing to find a new place to live, because he needs that extra space. from all of them,

but none of that matters anymore. all his drama problems are minuscule when in comparison to this. to teddy getting beaten up, to being depowered and not able to do anything to help. billy hasn't felt this helpless in a while. he can't say he's missed it. )

You're part of that life, you know. ( voice lowering but he keeps talking. ) Please don't act like you're not.

[Considering the way everything is going at the moment? All the fights lately do seem pretty small. None of it matters right now when they have lunatics who could decide to start sacrificing them any minute or come along and beat them seemingly just for the fun of it.

He'll fix the other problems when he gets out-- if he gets out... however he can. If it means backing off because Billy doesn't want to hurt him even though he's apparently content with his life here, or staying part of-- whatever the hell they're trying to do, or something in between, he'll figure it out. They'll figure it out.

Right now, he just shifts until he can stretch an arm over Billy's lap, Holding out his hand.] Hey-- give me your hand?

[He just wants to hold it, that's all.]

Yeah. ( the intent for that is clear enough. billy moves his hand off of teddy's chest, moves it over to grab onto teddy's hand instead. it's not his heartbeat, but the warmth off of him is close enough to be comforting on it's own, and having more of him to hold onto isn't too bad--right?

not when they both need this. need something safe to grip tight to, take comfort in knowing that this, at least, won't let them down. a deep breath in, and he tries to settle his own panic. lets shoulders loosen a bit. )

Close your eyes, I've got you.

[Teddy holds on maybe a little more tightly than necessary, but-- at least if he's holding on to Billy, he doesn't have to worry about anyone pulling him away, not that easy at least. He'll know, even with his eyes shut.]

I know. You're not a half-bad pillow either.

[He lets out a sigh, making himself relax a little bit. Billy has his back and he has Billy's... that's what matters, right? Still, before he lets himself start to doze off a bit--]

Love you, B. So you better at least try to take care of yourself.

[In here, whenever they get out there. Whatever else happens, he wants him to at least try to do that. It's okay for him to be a little bit reckless, but not Billy, not right now.

And maybe it's not okay to say that anymore, but considering this situation is sort of potentially life or death? He figures he gets a little leeway to be truthful. Not like he expected anything else from it.]

'm a little bony. ( but if teddy's fine with that then whatever. being wrapped up in teddy's arms, holding onto him--this is as comfortable as billy's going to get, here. and within the circle of his arms, he can try and pretend they're not underground stuck in tunnels, not panicking, not getting thrown around and hit and being potentially used as flesh suits for some old dead guys.

it'd be lovely if it were true, but for the moment, billy can pretend. ) Love you too, T. That's one of the reasons I need you in one piece.

( no one will get to teddy without first removing billy. not now, not while he's resting. the arm he has wrapped around his frame tightens, thumb moving to brush over a pulse on the hand held captured. )

I won't let anyone hurt you.

I'm in one piece.

[Or as close to it as he'll get for right now. And at least Billy is right there with him, close enough that he'll know if someone is messing with him. That's enough right now for Teddy to let himself start to doze off into a light sleep.]<small

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wiccant - 2018-06-17 19:00 (UTC) - Expand

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