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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Phase 1

[Alec isn't sure how it happened. One minute he was talking to Jace on the phone, distracted by conversation and trying to juggle phone and helmet so he could leave for the Apothecary. The next he was dropping to the ground, pain overwhelming everything as darkness overtook his vision. No one should have been able to get the drop on him like that outside of LUX. The wards should have done something. At least they should warn Magnus that something happened.

When he regains consciousness, his stomach sinks when he sees how many Mundanes are here - how many children are here - and his plans for escaping disappear. He might be able to get away, but he can't take them all with him. Maybe he could escape and then lead... That plan ends the first time Alec sees one of their captors strike a child. Then he's on his feet, taking the beating that was meant for the boy cowering in the corner.

He's needed here. Jace and Magnus will find him. He has absolute faith in that. So he insinuates himself between the more abusive guards and the defenseless, gives what little food he gets to others. Sometimes, he's moving as much as their captors and his injuries will allow, trying to help those around him. Others, he's curled up out of the way, trying to ignore the pain, hoping that the suppressor collar won't eliminate his angelic gifts.]

Wildcard

(Leaving this option to allow for however the rescue falls out and for interaction with the other captors and the rescue teams.)

Edited 2018-06-17 18:09 (UTC)

[ Sage hates this. hates. so much. he has never felt so fucking powerless in his life, literally. he doesn't know what the fuck these assholes have done to leave him and everyone else without any abilities but it's infuriating. for a long while, he does what he can to keep attention off those that are younger, tries to divert attention with his loud mouth and sharp tongue and--

well, he is pretty sure he has a fractured rib at this point, and probably some internal bleeding but nothing he hasn't suffered through before.

it takes a few days before he sees a familiar face, looking gaunt and worn and--]

Shit, Alec, pulling the hero stunt huh.

[ ah yes, because Sage gets to talk about that considering the state he is in. but hey, at least he is used to not eating for long periods of time.]

How long you been here?

[Trying to avoid getting killed by demons surprisingly translates into an ability to deflect the worst of a beating. But he knows that the last round of attention probably left a concussion and one of their captors had went after Alec's bad knee and shoulder. The lack of sleep and food is probably worse than the beatings since his body is still trying to heal but has nothing to work with.

Being Nephilim might not be the advantage that he'd thought earlier.]

Someone has to play the hero since Jace isn't here.

[Sitting up straighter, he winces when his shoulder and head throb, warning him that he should wait awhile before antagonizing the guards again.]

I think it's been three days, but the collar might be messing up my sense of time. How long have you been here?

[ you are going to have to teach Sage that skill next time you spar with him, because while he usually has some magic to protect him, Sage has been a little more defenceless than ever before. he can roll with some of the hits but-- well, in comparison to Alec, he looks like he has had it easy. Sage really wishes he had some connection to this place, something that he could work with to help Alec out.

alas, the collar around his neck makes it impossible to do so. ]

So that means you? [ he snorts, moves to sit next to Alec, telling him to shift so that he can get a look at his shoulder.] Being dumbasses part of your parakeet bond?

[ look, he knows that isn't what it is called now, but times like this mean he is trying for something lighter.]

Mmm, about as long. I think. Maybe a day longer? I dunno, I can't keep track of days when I'm not being tormented underground by psychopaths so... [ he trails off with a shrug.] Now, let me see your shoulder. Is it just fucked up or dislocated, do you know?

[ because someone has experience with both things.]

Yep. I'm not going to let them beat up kids. Usually one of us gets to be a dumbass at at a time so now it's my turn. [Taking mental inventory of Sage's obvious injuries, he gestures with his good hand.] You've probably been playing annoy our captors too.

[Closing his eyes briefly, he focuses on the bond. It's faint, probably suppressed by the collar, but it's there. Alec would know if it'd been severed.] Pain might help Jace find us.

I think the shoulder's dislocated. It happens regularly. Usually looks and hurts worse than it really is.

Mmm, point.[ well at least you guys take turns, that is a good thing. maybe. he isn't sure actually, damn.]

What can I say, I have a big mouth and really don't like unfair fights.

[ even if, you know, he ends up being on the receiving end of the unfairness of it afterwards. there are just some things that he is willing to put up with okay. the witch watches with sharp eyes as Alec moves.]

That how the bond work then? [ it's an idle comment, made as Sage shifts a little to get a better look at Alec's shoulder. ] You want me to help you put it back in? I do know how to do that. Probably better than how I know how to fight. The two might be related, we don't know.

[ a twitch of a smile. almost.]

[Alec lets out a thoughtful hum that's an agreement. He felt the same way. Their captors shouldn't have involved kids and he knows as soon as his family arrives the cultists are going to be very dead. Probably burned to a crisp once Magnus sees what they did to Alec.]

Kind of. [Normally, he doesn't explain it to people but Sage knows magic and knows them both well enough not to betray them.] Our souls are bound. He can use the bond to track me. Pain will tell him I'm still alive. It's when there's nothing there that it's bad.

[Like madness or suicidal bad.]

I could use the help. I haven't tried to do it myself since I won't be able to fix it if I mess up... and if my healing kicks in.

[He gives Sage a weary smile and sits up straighter.] That like me knowing about first aid because of my idiot parakeet?

[ there is going to be nothing left of the cultists when reinforcements arrive, and if Sage is still standing at that point, he is going to make sure of it. he is sure that the moon and whatever forces live here would love a little blood sacrifice from him. in good time. he won't worry about that now. instead, he listens with a look on his face that speaks of awe when Alec describes the bond.]

That's-- that's kind of amazing and also terrifying. [ he has heard of such things where he comes from, soul bonds, but they are rare and only exist among incredibly powerful beings, usually gods. anything lesser would be driven mad by the influx of information and power.] Is that... I mean do you have something like that with Magnus too? Not to pry but-- I remember him saying you shared power with him, once.

[ also, probably better to get you talking about Magnus while he tries to put this shoulder back into place because, uh, that ain't gonna be pretty. but, again, possibly good for being found? hopefully?]

Mmm, probably. Jace doesn't seem the type to actually get his ass kicked often though, start fights yeah but-- dunno. [ look, he has only met Jace a few times but-- he is oddly amused by him? he's an arrogant shit that Sage would probably try to hex under any other circumstances but also... well Alec vouched for him and that apparently means something. Though maybe I am wrong, though you also seem the type to want to know first aid simply to know it...

[ he means that in the best way possible, honestly. also, it means that you know what is about to happen before it happens. Sage doesn't even bother warning Alec as he moves, faster than he thought he could, twisting Alec's arm before throwing his weight against his shoulder. there is a sicking noise that Sage is all to familiar with then.

he winces.] Sorry. Shit. Uh... better?

It is amazing and terrifying. The bond is rare in my world. [For many reasons that Alec's not going to mention when their captors might listen in. With his luck one of the wackos would think it's fun to test the strength of the bond by torturing Alec. It'd happened to other parabatai pairs over the years.] Magnus and I are soul mates, but we don't have a bond like that. Parabatai can't be romantically involved. We shared power through a rune.

[Turning his hand over, he shows Sage the silvery scar of the Alliance rune.] It's temporary but when we use it, he gets my powers and I get his magic.

Jace likes to take on bars full of werewolves. Even he's not good enough for - [Alec senses the movement, but he knows better than to try to move away even when he knows what it means. Things that really aren't supposed to move slide and shift in his shoulder and he chokes on a scream.

For a few seconds, he forces himself to breathe. That would have been easier with runes... or if he hadn't waited so long to have it shoved back into place.]

S'okay. [Words... at least he can make words.] Needed to be done or I would be worthless in a fight. What about you? Do you need me to help with any injuries?

Rare in mine too. Still amazing. [ his words are murmured. he knows this is information that is really not supposed to be talked about in a place like this, not with what is going on. but it is-- comforting almost. to speak of normal things. well, as normal as shit seems to get for people like Alec and Sage. so the witch listens, hums and wonders why romance, why those feelings, would not be allowed for a bond like that. what damage that would do. what danger it could cause.

still, the rune to share power that's-- huh. ] Mmm, that work on anyone that you share that rune with? [ important information. not that he waits for the answer because yeah okay, that is a rough dry laugh from him because goddamnit. ] Yeah well, I can't mock Jace for that one, I have done the same myself. Well, packs. Not bars.

[ but there will be another time for him to be amused with how alike he and Jace can be. right now he just needs to make sure Alec is okay. Sage really wishes he had some abilities right now, some way to ease that burn because fuck, he knows that is not a nice sensation.]

Still, fucking hurts like a bitch. And I'm not, nothing you can help with sadly. Mostly internal shit, I should be okay as long as keep some water in me. [ a pause and a huff while he settles back down, eyes on the world around them.] Anything else you need help with?

[ have you heard anything? ]

It's not always amazing. [Like when your parabatai is possessed or if an enemy realizes that the bond can be used for torture. Which is another reason that he's grateful that the Cultists hadn't gotten Jace as well. Considering how much their captors enjoyed harming kids, the idea of using the bond in that way would probably bring hours of 'enjoyment'.] But it can help get us out of here.

I'm not sure. In my world, it works with any Downworlder and Shadowhunter pair. [But without the angelic/demonic bloodlines, Alec can't be sure if it'd work on anyone who wasn't a Mundane or a Shadowhunter.] And Magnus would probably fry anyone who tried to use the rune with me. [His husband can be possessive at times even if he didn't have the jealous tendencies of the Magnus from Alec's reality.]

It probably was most of the New York pack.

[Despite the lingering pain, it's better than the sickening feeling of the joint being wrong and being unable to fix it.] I'm used to it getting dislocated and it's still not as bad demon poison.

[Sitting up straighter, he hisses softly when his shoulder and knee protest.] You may be able to convince them to treat you. They don't want us dead. [Which is both observation and something overheard.] They're trying to wear us down, I think. They probably think it'll make possession easier.

[ Sage doesn't say anything to that, knows that there are downsides to everything good and yeah, having a bond like that certainly could be used against you. still, there are times when the witch has oddly positive views of the world (or maybe he is slightly delirious from all the shit that has been going on but, let's say positive for once). that and maybe, just maybe, his attention is taken up when Alec tells him about the rune thing that allows people to share energy.

go on, badass role model, go on. ] So it works like... with whomever? Not a one time bond kind of thing? Huh, I can see... I can see how it would be intimate though. Lending your magic like that. [ Sage isn't sure he would want to do that with just anyone. can only think of one person actually. ] And it's just... what, that mark on your skin? Wait, that mean all the marks you have do shit?

[ why has he never thought about magical tattoos, damnit.

still, Sage files that information away, snorts at how maybe he and Jace should never be trusted alone in bar ever, and tries to soothe as much lingering pain that Alec might have in his shoulder. which... well that isn't his best trait sorry. there is a grimace on his face as Alec moves.]

Yeah that-- isn't reassuring actually. And I'm not so bad off to need treating more than others, but them trying to wear us down.... makes more sense than it should. Fuck. Do they even know what they are doing? I mean, aside from being complete psychopaths?

Not exactly. [For a moment, the Clave's warning about telling Nephilim secrets causes him to pause, but Jace had told Clary and Simon. At least Sage was technically part of the Downworld even if he wasn't from the same version of it.] It wouldn't work with a Mundane. The runes would drive kill them. But any Shadowhunter and any Downworlder can do it, if the Shadowhunter knows the rune pair. [He traces his half of the rune with his thumb, reminding himself that Magnus will find them. Magnus is too clever and powerful to be stopped by a bunch of crazy zealots.]

[He's pulled out of his thoughts by the question about his runes.] Yeah, they each do something specific. Protection. Healing. Improved fighting skills. But I can't activate them right now. [Even if he had his stele, Alec isn't sure if the collar would allow them to work.] But the runes kill anyone who isn't a Shadowhunter unless it's Alliance.

Internal bleeding isn't something you should downplay. [He gives Sage the same kind of warning look Jace would get for suggesting an injury wasn't serious but he doubts he'd allow the cultists to 'treat' him either.] I don't know if they do, but it's how Lilith worked past Jace's defenses. No sleep. Preying on your worst fears. Add starvation and beatings to the mix and you'd break down someone's resistance down.

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muskeg - 2018-06-29 23:17 (UTC) - Expand

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angelic_archer - 2018-07-01 16:42 (UTC) - Expand

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muskeg - 2018-07-17 20:04 (UTC) - Expand

It was a strange thing, to be on this kind of mission without Alec. Though Magnus had spent centuries both getting into and out of trouble on his own, he'd gotten used to having Alec around to watch his back as they supported each other. Magnus had never been much of a fighter to begin with, preferring to offer what assistance he could but otherwise staying out of conflicts; such a course of action was obviously impossible when his husband had been kidnapped.

As he fought his way through the temple, Magnus tried not to think of the terror that had gripped him upon hearing that Alec had gone missing. Even with the issues that had been a result of the memories they had shared, there was nothing in any dimension that would keep Magnus from Alec. It was with this determination that he found his way through several adversaries and towards the captives, swinging his guandao as often as he would cast offensive spells. When he saw Alec, kneeling in front of a group of prisoners to protect them from the brawl, his control snapped. Magnus felt his arms crackle with energy called for almost unconsciously before bursting from him and knocking down anyone attempting to attack him, and possibly other rescuers caught in the crossfire.

"Alec!" Running towards him, Magnus slid to his knees at Alec's side, dropping his weapon to the floor and wrapping his arms around Alec both to embrace him and steady him.

Even as one day blurred into another, Alec knew that someone would find him. Between Magnus and Jace's abilities, they'd track him down eventually. All he had to do was wait, no matter how frustrating that might be. He wanted to fight, knowing that some of the others were planning methods of escape but he couldn't desert the children that were among the prisoners.

Then, eventually the damage inflicted from the regular beatings took their toll. He couldn't really help anyone with a knee that threatened to collapse under him if he didn't move carefully. Better to keep out of the way and protect the youngest prisoners than get in the way of the fighters that were capable of dealing with the Cultists. As the fighting raged around them. Alec shielded the children as best he could, fighting only when it was absolutely necessary. Usually he caught their captors by surprise since they thought he was too injured to attack.

As their captors turned toward one of the fighters, Alec felt something strange. It was probably his imagination, but the air changed subtly. A spark of almost electric energy combined with a familiar scent that Alec always associated with magic. Magnus' magic.

Even before he saw his husband, Alec called out his name. He began to struggle to his feet, but Magnus was already beside him. Holding Magnus close, he continued watching the room, afraid someone would sneak up behind them. "I knew you'd find me." He wanted to say more, but knew that they had to stay focused. After whispering an "I love you" to his husband, he began quickly describing the situation. "The collar suppresses powers. I have a mild concussion. My bad knee can't take my weight. My shoulder was recently dislocated. Not sure if there's internal injuries. I lost my stele when the grabbed me." Give Magnus the details needed so they could get out - get all of them out - then ramble about how much he loved Magnus.

Edited 2018-06-20 16:09 (UTC)

The sound of his name was as heartbreaking as it was relieving, and he was quick to press a kiss to Alec's lips as well as his forehead where it was uninjured. "I'm here, Alexander. We're going to get you and everyone else out." There would be time for professions of love when they were all safe, and Magnus planned to remind Alec that he would always come for him as long as there was life in his body. Squeezing him with one arm, the other hovering close to his weapon in case it was needed, he echoed the three words Alec had whispered to him.

Reality settled over him with a chill as Alec outlined all of the information necessary to know, both as a warrior and a survivor. "Right," he said with a nod to confirm that he understood. Lifting his guandao, he carefully placed it into Alec's hand before setting to work on removing the collar. "I brought your stele," he explained, knowing that Alec would understand the purpose behind removing the collar first. "I can heal your concussion if you can do the knee. If I push your shoulder back into place, can you take the pain?"

As Magnus kissed him, Alec's hands tightened in his husband's shirt. For a brief moment, he wanted to forget about the fighting that surrounded him and just hold Magnus and not let go. He knew that he couldn't, not yet, but as soon as they were safe, he wasn't letting Magnus out of his sight. Letting go of his husband's shirt, he took a deep, shuddering breath. "I don't know how many children they took, but we have to make sure they get out safe."

Taking the guando, it was obvious he was favoring the shoulder that had been dislocated. He could fight if he needed to. Every Shadowhunter knew how to compensate for injuries. Now that they were going to be rescued, he knew he could push himself beyond what he'd allowed himself earlier. Watching for any sign of attack, he lowered his head so that Magnus would have better access to the collar. "If you need your magic to fight, the concussion can wait. Sage put my shoulder back in place, but the collar slowed down my healing." It still felt like it could easily be dislocated again if he wasn't careful. "An iratze will keep the knee stable." He'd probably need to have it checked later. "Runes can keep me going 'till we're out."

His heart broke a little more at the way Alec gripped his shirt, and he rested his hand over Alec's to rub his thumb over his knuckles and the wedding band on his ring finger. "We're not leaving until everyone is safe," he assured Alec, knowing that it would be pointless to fight him on the subject even if he had wanted to. He was proud of his husband for protecting those who couldn't protect themselves, and it was his turn to help in that mission.

Tearing the collar off and tossing it away, he gently kissed either side of Alec's neck. He reached out with his magic, quickly assessing Alec's injuries and checking that nothing more serious was happening beneath the surface. Before he could reply to the comment on fighting with magic, Magnus' attention snapped back to Alec's face. "Sage is here?" he asked, feeling the weight of dread creeping back into the pit of his stomach where it had been living before he'd seen Alec again. "I need to make sure he's safe, too," he mumbled, more to himself than to Alec. With Jace fighting elsewhere, Magnus knew that his husband would be taken care of in case he had to help others.

Reaching again for Alec's hand, Magnus pushed his magic and strength into him to help speed up the healing and recover him from the long period of mistreatment. "You can have more if you need it, Alexander," he said, eyes losing their glamor as he focused on several more important things. "We can share, too," he added, glancing at their joined hands to add to the implication.

His shoulders sagged in relief when Magnus promised they wouldn't leave the children behind. He'd known that his husband wouldn't ignore their plight, but having the reassurance eased the ache in his chest that had been present since he'd realized that their captors hadn't limited themselves to adults.

Making a quiet sound when he felt lips against his neck, Alec reminded himself that it wasn't time to relax. They weren't safe yet. He couldn't focus on having his husband near after being separated by distance and fear. "Yes. He helped me. We both kept them away from the kids. He's injured worse than me." Which meant that they needed to find the witch and make sure someone treated the injuries Sage had told him about.

He began to stand up, then remembered he was still a liability in a fight. Squeezing Magnus' hand, he gave him a grateful look when he felt his husband's magic began to warm his skin. Within a few moments, the aching in his head began to subside and he knew his shoulder would be stable until they were home. The knee would require a rune and so would Magnus' suggestion.

His gaze sharpened and his expression became more intent, mentally shaking off the pain and fatigue. By the Angel, he wanted to share that bond with Magnus. Have that connection to his husband after everything he'd been through. But first he had to make sure that Magnus wouldn't disapprove. "I want to but I may not hold back with your magic." If Magnus wasn't okay with that, then Alec wouldn't use the Alliance rune.

Even though Magnus knew that he shouldn't be allowing himself to relax so much, he couldn't stop himself from little touches and reassurances to calm them both. His concern for Sage snapped him back into the right state of mind for the situation, however, as did his focus on what it was that Alec was trying to communicate to him. If he saw Sage, he would have to help him to keep his magic from going too far out of his control, both for the witch's safety as well as possibly others. It was still such an unknown to Magnus, but as the unofficial High Warlock of the Quarantine, and as Sage's friend, he felt both responsible and protective.

"We'll make sure that he gets out as well," he said for Alec's benefit to clue him in on the thoughts racing through Magnus' mind. His attention refocused sharply on Alec as his grip tightened, and for a split second, he panicked that something was happening or his suggestion had been taken negatively. But when he looked into Alec's eyes, all he saw was a fierce love as well as deep trust. Smiling, he leaned in to kiss him quickly but firmly. "And I won't hold back with your strength," he echoed as if to promise that they would fight as equally hard.

"You have to be sure you can heal him. He thought he had internal bleeding." Alec wasn't sure how much magic Magnus had used to find him or make his way through the prison and he couldn't offer his own strength to offset that loss. If Jace was here - Jace had to be here. It would have been impossible for Magnus to leave to rescue him without Jace following. - then he could help Magnus.

The kiss caused his worries to disappear. Magnus wouldn't be hurt if he used magic to cause damage, or do more than damage their captors. Alec didn't want to kill, but if he had to, he wouldn't hold back except for Magnus. Now that he had his husband's permission, he wouldn't have to worry about crossing certain lines. "In case we ever have to do this again, you never have to hold back when we share powers." Holding out his free hand so Magnus could give him his stele, he went over what runes he'd need. "First iratze. Then Alliance." He probably would need more than that, but Magnus had enough to worry about that. "Then we find Sage."

Stomach clenching at the thought, Magnus nodded without saying anything more. He always kept some of his magic in reserve for desperate situations, but it appeared he'd have to conserve more than usual in order to have the strength to heal Sage until they were able to get him somewhere for treatment. "I'll have to find him quickly so he doesn't do something stupid," he replied, the comment half teasing and half serious since he knew some of the things of which Sage was capable.

As much as he was worried about the young witch, Magnus' full attention shifted to Alec once again as they found some relief in the kiss. After the kidnappers had taken Alec, they had lost the right to mercy in Magnus' opinion; as much as he tried to be understanding of others, he wouldn't go easy on anyone to hurt his husband. There was also the fact that they had captured children, and instant condemnation in Magnus' eyes.

Handing over Alec's stele, he turned to watch out for would-be attackers as Alec healed himself and prepared for the Alliance rune. Though he knew through memory that the rune worked, and he trusted Alec completely, he couldn't help feeling a shiver of nerves at the thought of using it for the first time. "We should find Jace, too," he said as he held his hand out to Alec, his other taking up the guandao in case a quick defense was necessary. "And then we can get the children out of here."

Alec nodded in agreement, relieved that his head didn't throb in response to the action. After living with the pain for days it seemed strange not to have force himself to tune it out to be able to function. It wasn't as bad as some of his injuries in the past, but it had been distracting and kept him worrying that their captors had done something worse than concussed him.

Taking his stele, he let go of Magnus' hand, half expecting his husband to disappear once the contact had been broken. Alec had known Magnus would find him, but it still felt almost like a dream.

Maybe he was in worse shape than he thought.

Shoving the leg of his jeans up, he drew an iratze as close to his knee as possible, not waiting for it to take effect before drawing another on his arm to stabilize his shoulder. Once the runes began to work, he drew a stamina rune to help counteract the effects of hunger and sleep deprivation.

As the injuries began to heal and he became more aware of his surroundings, Alec took Magnus' free hand. Despite the aches that the iratze hadn't caused to fade, he smiled as he began tracing the Alliance rune. "The first time I did this, I kissed you after I finished the rune."

Magnus remained silent as Alec worked, allowing him to focus on the healing runes that would bring him relief without the need to deplete Magnus' magic. Though he'd been around Shadowhunters and their runes for centuries, there was something different about watching the marks sink into Alec's skin, symbols of both suffering and of power. Each one was a brand meant for a warrior, and yet the black lines and faded scars were as beautiful as the rest of Alec.

Breath hitching slightly as Alec once again took his hand, Magnus mirrored the smile on his face. His eyes followed the lines of Alec's stele as they first spread over his pale skin and then neared Magnus' hand. Wincing on instinct as the rune began to trace over him, he fought the instinct to resist pulling away from the angelic language to mark his skin. He laughed nervously and looked up at Alec, grateful for his anchoring presence and the weight of his hand. "Are you going to kiss me again this time?" he asked, unknowingly leaning closer.

Letting out a relieved sigh when the runes began to work, he watched Magnus through his lashes as he gently drew the curving lines of the Alliance rune. Belatedly, he realized that Magnus didn't remember the first time Alec had used the rune. It had been with a different Magnus, one that he still loved, but not the one who he had so easily given his heart.

Holding Magnus' hand, he could feel the tension holding his husband still. To Magnus, runes were forbidden. Something that would cause agony and madness. Yet Magnus still trusted him that this would work. He wanted to look up and reassure Magnus that the rune wouldn't harm him, but he wanted to be sure that it was perfect. "Karissima, aku cinta kamu." The mix of two languages sounded strange, but they were important to both of them.

When he finished both parts of the Alliance, he smiled, noticing that Magnus had shifted closer. Instead of answering, he pressed his lips to Magnus', pouring his love and gratitude into the kiss, promising more when they were both safe. "I plan to spend hours kissing you after we're out of here."

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appetitive - 2018-07-05 14:53 (UTC) - Expand

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angelic_archer - 2018-07-05 16:17 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

exploration mingle: CAPTIVITY

Alec Lightwood | Shadowhunters

phase 1

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wildcard: phase iii

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