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

[scholiast]

(It isn't very pleasant to walk away from her lover and leave her facing down a hallway full of cultists, but it's simply what needs to be done. Lucretia's all too aware she can be prone to momentarily forgetting she isn't above death here, and she won't do that to Beverly.

She finds outside easily enough but it doesn't reassure her. She draws up close to the entrance and waits, and then starts to pace out of anxiety. Exhaustion only ramps up her tendency to overthink, so it's easier to walk around and listen to the sound of her feet on the ground and try not to think about Beverly getting into trouble and having no back-up available, or the contingency spell failing for one reason or another, or one of the cultists sneaking up on her unawares, or–

The sudden explosion from deep within the caves stops her dead in her tracks. Her heartbeat pounds wildly in her ears. The dread and disbelief is so strong she simply stands there and stares, and when Beverly appears out of the passages and into the sunlight completely unharmed, Lucretia is still locked into place just outside the entrance, still wearing a horrified expression.)

Istus, (she swears, her voice hoarse, and places a hand over her heart as Beverly approaches,) you– don't do that to me. (Is this how Beverly had felt, after that monster had attacked her at the waterfall? It's awful! She breathes out shakily.)

[dancingmd]

(Beverly steps blinking into the sunlight, surprised almost to see it there. They'd started the rescue operation in the early hours of the morning, under cover of darkness. Now it looks to be mid-morning, and the rescue teams are busy, taking care of the sick and the injured, while still sending down more fighters to handle the cultists. A few of the said fighters are already running towards Beverly, drawn by the sound of the explosion. She waves them and the accompanying medics off. There are more important things to worry about, such as certain panicking girlfriends.

She pushes past the other members of her team and heads straight for Lucretia to gather her up in her arms. And finally, after everything, she lets herself cry.)

I thought I'd lost you.

[scholiast]

(Oh, thank goodness.

She sinks into Beverly's embrace, arms linking tight around her. It hurts to hold her so close but it doesn't matter. None of it matters any more except the soft sound of Beverly crying next to her ear. Lucretia gives her a warm, reassuring squeeze.)

I have to stop making you think that, (she whispers, and swallows hard. Thinking Beverly might have been fatally injured even for a second proved to be too much on top of everything else; she can still feel the unpleasant shock that had rippled through her at the sound of the explosion. She blinks, and tears roll down her cheeks.)

[dancingmd]

(Wait, this isn't how it's supposed to go - she should be taking care of Lucretia, not the other way around. Allowing herself to linger in her embrace for just a minute longer, she plants a soft kiss along Lucretia's jaw, one of the few places it looks like it might not hurt too much, then rests her forehead against Lucretia's.)

But I found you and that's all that matters.

[scholiast]

(Too bad, Beverly is super up there on the list of people Lucretia will always strive to take care of, no matter what. She allows herself to soak in the comfort of her girlfriend's embrace, to enjoy the kiss on her jaw (which does not hurt at all). She tries to get a grip on herself.

The press of Beverly's forehead to her own is so kind and reassuring that she can't help but shed a few more tears, however. Oh, how good it is to see her again. How anxious she had been, thinking that Beverly might have been trapped down in the caves too.)

Yes, (she says eventually, and clears her throat, leaning back so she can wipe her eyes carefully.) You did. You rescued me. (The smile she gives Beverly is weary, but wholly genuine. Full of love.) Thank you.

[dancingmd]

(A soft, relieved laugh escapes her as she wipes away her own tears.)

You're welcome.

(It seems an insufficient thing to say. There was no other choice: all those restless nights alone in their bed, fear turning her insides into to knots and preventing her from thinking about anything else. Anyone who could take Lucretia with all her power and all her strength, was a force to be reckoned with. But so was a determined and angry Beverly Crusher. Now, though, the spy and the fighter gives way to the doctor... and lover.

Taking a step back, she looks Lucretia over, finally allowing herself to take stock of her condition - and she doesn't need the tricorder to see how bad it is, especially after those spells she cast sapped the remainder of her strength.)

How are you feeling? Do you think you can walk to the med tents?

[scholiast]

(Lucretia can certainly see the doctor lingering in Beverly's careful, evaluating gaze, which reassures her. It's much easier to show her hurts to a medical professional than the woman she loves. There's a natural inclination to put up a front, to pretend she's alright... she has to remind herself very firmly that Beverly is only trying to help her. So she doesn't try to hide just how wretched she feels.)

Terrible, (she sighs, and closes her eyes for a moment, trying to take stock of her hurts. Her collarbone, obviously: broken. Her wrists are sore from the cuffs still, possibly bruised. Perhaps worst of all is how tired she is, a bone-deep, terrible exhaustion threatening to bring her to her knees unless she lies down soon. She's just as hungry, too. She may have spell slots left to spare, but Lucretia doesn't know if she could cast a single thing in this moment even if her life depended upon it: her concentration is well and truly shattered.)

But I can walk. (She's nearly there. She has Beverly back, and their home isn't far away now. She wants to be back there so badly and in bed together, safe, that she feels shivery with it.)

[dancingmd]

(Beverly frowns. This statement seems dubious to her. Lucretia looks like she might collapse at any moment from exhaustion. So unfortunately for her, Beverly is less thinking of home and more of the med tent just a few yards away.)

Well, let's start by getting some fluids in you. You can lean on me if you need to.

[scholiast]

(Look: it'll do. In lieu of being able to transport the both of them back home, Lucretia has no qualms with having to collapse in the medical tent. She links her arm through Beverly in order to lean on her as they start to walk.)

Thank you. Please remind me next time to try to keep from being captured; I'm going to try to pick a better activity.

[dancingmd]

Perhaps you could try bowling.

(It's a good sign at least that Lucretia has maintained her sense of humor.)

[scholiast]

(Sometimes when you have nothing left you have to fall back on bad jokes for a bit.)

I... don't think I've ever gone bowling before. Maybe we should go together: safety in numbers.

[dancingmd]

I haven't been in a long time myself. Perhaps we can set something up on the holodeck.

(It's a silly thing to be thinking about but it's easier than everything else.)

[scholiast]

(From Lucretia's perspective it's actually really nice to think about; it distracts from the horrors in the cave.)

Yes. We– uh, we should take a vacation, just... just the two of us.

[dancingmd]

A vacation would be nice. Being on the same planet for so long...

(It's driving her a little nuts.)

Taako set up a nice beach program, if you wanted to do that? We could make a long weekend of it.

(Normally, she wouldn't hog the holodeck for so long, but Lucretia is going to be spoiled!)

[scholiast]

Yes.

Or we could always go to the actual beach? (Lucretia chuckles, and winces. Oh, laughing hurts. But then again, so does literally everything else.)

Either way, I just want to be with you. (She's feeling a bit fragile, like she may need a few days worth of cuddles to completely recover. Beverly understands, surely.)

[dancingmd]

We could but...

(She sighs.)

I know it's only a hologram, but it's nice to pretend, at least for a little while, that we're not stuck here.

[scholiast]

Okay, (she soothes, and gives Beverly's arm a gentle squeeze,) I understand.

(She feels much the same way, honestly.) I wish we had the ship here. Either of them. (The Starblaster, or the Enterprise. It would be so good to leave.)

[dancingmd]

Who knows? If the holodeck showed up through the portal, maybe the rest of the ship will come with it some day.

[scholiast]

Would it fit?

(Isn't it huge? Lucretia's at the point where everything is a little hilarious even when it wasn't intended to be funny, and the thought of only a little bit of the Enterprise making it through the portal makes her start to laugh helplessly.)

[dancingmd]

(She's about to point out that the holodeck itself shouldn't have been able to fit when the laughter starts taking over her too. It's not really all that funny, but after all the stress and worry of the past days, it's nice to be able to laugh. They do, however, have to stop walking and Lucretia's leaning almost all her weight on Beverly now. Beverly wipes her eyes and does her best to control her own laughter.)

Are you going to need me to carry you?

[scholiast]

Maybe. (Lucretia's still giggling weakly. It's certainly hard to get herself upright again after how hard she's been leaning on Beverly; she manages it eventually. She feels a little light-headed.)

Could you carry me? (No slight on her strength what-so-ever; more that Lucretia's always thought of herself as awkwardly leggy.)

[dancingmd]

(Could and will. Beverly's stronger than she first looks.)

Here, put your arms around my neck.

[scholiast]

(Well. No arguing with that.

Lucretia links her arms gingerly around her girlfriend's neck, leaning back into her as she does. Does literally every movement have to tie into shifting her very sore collarbone? Where are all the healers in this place, exactly??)

[dancingmd]

(Beverly scoops her up with ease, trying not to let her worry show: Lucretia is lighter than she ought to be.)

As soon as you're well enough, we'll go there. Nice warm breezes, picnics on the beach, swimming... whatever you want to do.

wrap?

[scholiast]

(Beverly hoists her off the ground with nary a problem, and even though Lucretia is completely out of energy, her stomach still floods with butterflies. This feels very safe. Her forehead tips gently against Beverly's shoulder, eyes shutting immediately as a wave of exhaustion washes over her.

... Waves? Did Beverly say something about a beach?

She hums, manages a mumbled slur of words in return. If she can just rest like this in Beverly's arms, she's sure to awaken good as new.)