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

[ In all honesty, Lanie probably isn't listening to a word he's saying, but she seems to relax a little. He figures it must be the tone that's helping, so he keeps on babbling.

... And maybe the reassurances are just as much for himself, too.

Lanie eventually drifts off into a fitful sleep, curled against Peter's hip and half-sprawled on his lap, and when someone calls his name, it takes everything in him to not jerk to attention and risk waking her. He does, however, go rigid, lifting his head, and—

He blinks, startled.

Normally he's pretty bad with names, but this one he calls up with no difficulty: ]

Teth?

[They try to smile and mostly fail. They're still getting used to the nickname or whatever it is. Their little placeholder. They nod almost frantically, shaking little motions like vibrations of their head. They feel the collar against their throat when they swallow and when they move, and they hate it.

They take a deep breath in.]

I-- I watched those movies.

[ They look like hell, is the first thing Peter thinks, so they share something in common in that regard. They look terrified and lost, and Peter’s expression softens a little. The movies should probably the last thing on either of their minds, but— Peter and pointless babble are pretty good friends, honestly. He gets why they’re bringing them up.

It’s why instead of shutting down the line of conversation, his head tilts a little, curious and prompting. ]

Did you like ‘em?

[ And he keeps his voice low in deference to the kid dozing away beside him. ]

[The Tetherer starts to laugh, a thin, high sound, but it catches in their throat and they cough. Their voice is a little more raspy when they answer, but it's as low as his.]

I-- I loved them. Alien was my favorite. Ripley was so... so cool.

[They wipe their face a little, not sure if they're crying or not. They're not.]

Footloose was a little silly, but... I enjoyed it. And Ferris was really funny.

Yeah. Ripley's a serious badass.

[ A muscle in his jaw jumps as he frowns at them. And as much as he'd be happy to ramble on about some of his favorite movies, worry gets the best of him. ]

Are you okay? How bad are you hurt?

My body aches, but not too terribly. I'm mostly just...

[Scared. Very, very scared.]

What if we're not found before they can use us?

[ His expression falters, shifts from worried to resolute. ]

Hey, no. Don’t think like that.

[ Peter likes to pretend he’s a cynic, that he’s jaded as hell, that he’s seen it all. But secretly, deep down? He’s one hell of an optimist. He hopes, whether he means to or not. ]

Someone’s gonna come. Everyone here’s got at least one person out looking for them, I bet.

We’re gonna be fine.

[He's right, in a way. A lot of the people here likely have powerful friends looking out for them. They're certain people like Lucretia or Peter have important people who could be looking out for them right now.

They curl up, hugging their knees to their chest.]

Who do you think is looking for you right now?

My friends, Mantis and Groot. My girlfriend, Gamora.

[ Peter's not really the domestic type, but neither is he the kind of guy to just... not go home. Not without good reason, and definitely not without letting someone know. They were bound to realize something was wrong the second he didn't show up for dinner. ]

They're scary as hell when they're mad. [ He gestures vaguely with his thumb toward a group of cultist. ] I almost feel bad for these assholes, once Gamora gets their hands on 'em.

[They sure know what it's like to have a friend who's scary when they're mad. The Separator knew how to be terrifying. But knowing her as they did, the Tetherer never found themself afraid on the other end of her fury.

But they knew when it came to people harming them, she wouldn't stop until those people were done for. But they're sort of glad she's not here. As useful it would be right now... they'd have a lot to explain to her in the meantime that they'd rather not deal with.]

She sounds lovely. ...You're right. They'll come for you. And everyone else.

[ The corner of his mouth quirks up a little. ]

Yeah. She’s definitely somethin’.

[ And there’s warmth in his voice. Worrisome, maybe, that he’s talking so fondly about Gamora potentially murdering folks on his behalf, but that’s the Guardians of the Galaxy for you. ]

So what we gotta do is hold out long enough for them to find us. So don’t give up hope, alright?

[Maybe if they knew he was talking about Gamora murdering people, maybe if they knew Gamora, they might be a little less hopeful about it. But the warmth in his voice when talking about her is uplifting, and he's gone through some of the worst in here. If he can have hope now, so can they.]

...Okay. I won't. I'll count on your friends, too.

[If he trusts them, then the Tetherer will trust them. It's easy to rely on someone else's hope, right now. Especially someone with such good taste in movies.]

See? That’s the spirit.

[ And speaking of movies— ]

When we get out of here, you and me are having a movie marathon. [ And he says it with certainty. Apparently he’s not taking no for an answer, here. Welcome to being friends with Peter Quill. ] Have you seen Ghostbusters yet?

[They almost get too excited, but then they remember the sleeping child between them. They keep their voice down to a whisper, by some miracle.]

I haven't! I doubt I've seen any movies from your world. These were the first I've heard of any of them.

[ Their enthusiasm is pretty infectious, honestly, and Peter feels himself smiling – if only a little. He can’t offer one of his usual giant grins with the way his lips are cut and scabbed over, with the way his face is bruised like hell. ]

Dude.

[ In a tone of voice that implies this is an absolute crime. ]

Okay. Ghostbusters. Back to the Future. Definitely the Indiana Jones movies.

Obviously, uh. [ He gestures to himself a little helplessly, the movement brief to avoid jostling Lanie. ] Obviously I might need some time to heal up, but once I’m good, we’re doin’ this.

And you’re bringing soda.

[This sounds so exciting. And it's something to look forward to. Something to plan, to hope for. They remember where they are, but they'd rather focus on this.]

...Of course. Once your friends come and we're both healed up and recovered. I'll bring as much soda as is necessary.

Awesome. I’ll get the candy and popcorn.

[ And he says it brightly, the tone at complete odds with the atmosphere. It’s hushed and tense – the calm before a storm – and generally Peter’s pretty good about reading the room. In this instance, though, he’s apparently decided to throw up the double birds at the cultists’ attempts at breaking them, at keeping them subdued and terrified. ]

Hey. You decide on a name yet?

Ah...

[The distractions really do help them from giving into the bleak atmosphere, but they get a little more subdued at the question. It's been something on their mind for some time now.]

I've just been using Teth for now. One day I was really excited about Ripley, and then another day I really wanted a different one, but it changes so much I'm afraid to commit to something. It's odd to think of an entirely new name as myself.

[ He huffs out a quiet sort of laugh, sympathetic. ]

Yeah, I get it. Back on Earth, the parents usually picked their kids’ names, otherwise you’d end up with a kid wanting to call themselves Optimus Prime or Inspector Gadget or, like, Elmer’s Glue.

[ If given the choice, “Peter Quill” might very well have been “He-Man Quill.” ]

If it helps, most folks I knew back on Earth had at least three names – a first name, a middle name, and a family name. So you can totally pick three. And if you don’t like those, you can always change it or pick up a nickname later on.

[ He lifts one shoulder slightly, head tipping a little to one side in a truncated shrug. ]

It doesn’t have to be set in stone, is what I’m saying.

Are those bad names?

[They don't get the references!!!]

But yes, um, you're not the first to suggest trying names on. This is the first I've heard about using three, though.

[Even the Separator, who had a real name, only used two. But she wasn't from Earth, to be fair. The Tetherer ponders for a moment, deep in thought.]

...Ferris... Emerson... Ripley?

Edited (TENSES) 2018-07-14 18:15 (UTC)

They're not fantastic.

[ It's a simple answer, for now, and apparently not worth the time it might take for an explanation.

Especially since there are more important matters to discuss, and Peter gives a small, thoughtful hum. ]

Not bad, actually.

Where'd you get Emerson from?

I got it from Finn's book of names that he gave me. Lucretia said she liked it.

[This whole name debacle has been a multifaceted issue that a lot of people have added their input to, apparently.]

Do the second and third names even count? Usually people are only called by their first names, in my experience... How is it on Earth?

[ Listen, sometimes it takes a community. ]

It’s more the first and last names that count, I guess, if you put it that way. Back on Earth, they called me Peter, but once I left, more folks started calling me Quill or Star-Lord.

[ ... no, okay, that second bit is absolutely a lie, but it’s worth a shot to throw it in there, right?

(One of these days, he’s going to stop trying to make “Star-Lord” happen. And on that day, hell will have frozen over.) ]

Hell, I’m pretty sure more folks call me by my last name than my first.

[Well, they offered to call him Star-Lord, but he told them not to!!!!]

I didn't realize you'd left your world. The world I'm from harbors refugees from many worlds, including several different Earths. Did something happen to your Earth...?

[THEY HOPE IT WASN'T DESTROYED???? Gods, what if he's from one of their Earths. That would be awful. And would help explain his initially strong reaction to their godhood.]

[ He offers a quick little wave of his hand, something meant to reassure and to dismiss any concerns they might have. ]

No, no. Earth is fine. [ Last he checked, anyway. ] I just...

[ Usually, this is when he tells people that he "left." It's not a lie, really; he did leave. But the phrasing makes it sound like a choice, makes it sound like he found a way off Earth into the blackness of space by his own gumption.

That was the denial talking, a lot of the time.

But he's had a little time to come to terms with it all. It's been a hell of a process – almost thirty years in the making – so maybe now's a good time to just. Tell the truth.

And it's not like their having this information is going to be any worse than what their captors have already done to him. So— ]

I was taken when I was eight.

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