[ OPEN ] no more wasting time.

[falcony]

Who: sam wilson and open. (see note below!)
What: sam is calling a Summoned Town Hall (and get-together.)
Where: sam's horizon
When: mid-may (one afternoon into evening)
Warnings: will update as necessary.

THE SETUP

This meeting has been planned for some time now - at least from Sam's point of view. Even before the Summit he knew this would be important, but between the Eclipse and the dream of the Eye and everything that followed, there were some other things that required his attention. But as soon as that all settled, and as soon as the Free Cities started reaching out for reports, proving that each of the Summoned have been watched and tracked down, well. Big Brother always has to start somewhere.

So he reaches out to Stephen and Wanda - tells them of his plan for a meeting, about getting everyone together to discuss the impending war, the factions, and everything that came before. He left it up to Wanda and Stephen to disseminate the information and invitation however they saw fit - anyone was invited, of course, but that didn't mean everyone needed to attend. This was intended to be a smaller group, more contained, so as not to attract any unwanted attention, but who knew what happened once the date and time got out there.

Once everyone arrives, they'll be directed into the main area of the house - where the living room and kitchen meet to form one of the corners. It will be a bit of a tight squeeze, depending on how many show up, but there will also be plenty of chairs, couch space, corners, and wherever else anyone will want to settle and listen.

When everyone has filed in and found their spot, Sam will come to stand at the front and center of the room. He plans to address everyone first with something of a speech (Captain America, anyone?) which he will then open up the floor to questions (see open top level below). There will be a point in the middle of the questions that Sam will seem to catch notice in the corner of the room and - distractedly - will direct all questions to Stephen as he nods and heads up the stairs - followed closely behind by Geralt, who seems to have just appeared - but he will be back in about fifteen or so minutes and will pick up directly where he left off.

Once Sam believes the questions have settled, or at the very least everyone is way too hungry to sit still for any longer, he will dismiss everyone for food, drinks, or just smaller circles of discussion. Meeting's over, go stuff your face with Horizon food! But be warned - Julie's manning the bar.

OOC INFO

- It is Sam's intention that this to be a closer cr/smaller group, but as it is with any invitation/meeting, the word can easily get out, so feel free to have your character have learned about it/heard about it/stumble in even if they don't know Sam.

- Any questions that you want your character to pose to Sam directly, please put under this top level and I will prioritize. Because these are questions in an open forum, go ahead and note on your tag if you are down for other characters to chime in, etc.

- For about 15 minutes or so, Stephen will be in charge of answering questions (much to his dismay and with no preparation or warning). So if you want your question to be directed to him, please make a note.

- please feel free to leave a top-level below for mingling after the speech/q&a session. Sam's entire domain is open, save for one locked bedroom upstairs. It'll be a bit like a barbeque, a bit like an after-party, a bit like some chill time at Sam's horizon to meet and greet whoever is around.

- if you have any other questions, feel free to hit me up at disarmingly or pm this account!

THE SPEECH

[ sam isn't nervous, exactly, as everyone starts filing in. most of the faces he recognizes, most of the faces know their way around, so it's not like there's a whole lot of this that feels all that serious. it's not until a few more people start showing up, faces that sam doesn't recognize right off the bat, that has him shifting into something a little more...well, professional. it's been years since he's led any sort of counseling session. longer, if you want to count the snap. and while this definitely isn't counseling, it's starting to feel similar enough.

so as more people start showing up, and as they get closer and closer to the time that sam had sent around with everyone, sam starts pulling himself away from conversations. starts telling people to take seats wherever they can find a spot. it's a squeeze - his living room isn't exactly made for a community meeting - so he ends up having some of them spill over into the kitchen area, some even back behind the island. where he stands in the hallway between, everyone can see him. and honestly, anyone in the house can hear him, so it doesn't matter all that much where everyone ends up.

it's a few minutes later before he's in front of everyone, with one of the kitchen bar stools pulled up so he can sit (lord knows he's not imagining some kind of podium today). then, once everyone has appeared to have settled and with a breath and straightening of his shoulders, he begins. ]

First off- I want to welcome everyone to my place. A bunch of y'all have been here before, sure, but some are new, so I just want to make one ground rule pretty clear: don't be assholes. This place will always be open for you, even if I'm not around, but treat it like what it is, which is my house. No fighting, no destroying my place, nothing. I don't care that all this is technically magic or we could all fix it up however we want, it's my home. Respect it.

[ and then he smiles, which shifts what was beginning to feel a bit like some kind of parent or babysitter figure into something that feels a bit more welcoming. a bit warmer. there's a hint here for those that don't know him of the fact that this isn't always the way he carries himself. isn't always how he acts. but there is a job to do, a point to get to, and so he doesn't fully relax. ]

And thank y'all for coming. The last time we had one of these was...well, it was some time ago, back when we were all in the castle. And considering some of the events since then, I figured it's about time we all had another of these get-togethers.

My name's Sam, [ hi sam. ] And I live in Cadens, the capital of the Free Cities. I've been in Abraxas just over a year, and was part of the first group that got pulled through the portal, back when Ambrose in Castle Thorne was the only one doing it. So if any of y'all have questions about what's happened since we first started showing up, I can talk you through some of it, or at least try and answer what I can; but I'm gonna ask you save those questions for after all this. I didn't call this sort of Town Hall for a history lesson, at least not entirely, and I planned on having time for questions.

[ as he keeps talking, it's less that the smile fades and more that his tone takes on a heavier weight to it. a subtle shift, from someone welcoming a group of people into their living room to someone with a little more authority to him. he's not trying to be intimidating, or scary, or even all that unapproachable. more so, he's here for a purpose, and that purpose is important. and that's the set to his shoulders as he starts up again. ]

Now, if you didn't know already, this world has a few centuries of history under its belt. And just like any other world, or continent, or whatever you want to call it - all the different kingdoms, or factions, haven't always gotten along. These big three we know most about - Thorne, Solvunn, and the Cities - have a lot of that tangled history between them, and us showing up has only complicated it even more. These beliefs are pretty much in direct opposition to each other, and that includes what they think we - the Summoned - are here to do and how to treat us.

[ as sam talks, his arms come to cross over his chest and his eyes slowly start to move around the room - from face to face, person to person. he takes time, in his way, to make eye contact with just about everyone in the room. to connect with everyone, if he can. ]

Where we come in is the fact these factions are on the brink of war, and I don't say this lightly. Events, since we've arrived, have already escalated, to a point that we can't ignore them anymore. Now- that could mean days, that could mean months, hell. It could be years before the first shot is taken- but Thorne, Solvunn, and the Cities have all made it clear they're headed in that direction, and they are going to try and bring us along for the ride. I've been told that the people showing up in the barracks outside of Cadens are literally being told they've been drafted.

[ he pauses, as if waiting to see if that even surprises anyone - that there's a war, that the cities are actively looking towards their military, that this is known. but before anyone can pipe in, he picks up again. ]

If being a part of this war is something you do want in on, then man, go for it. Consider yourself lucky. But I'm here, now, to let people know that we're not all here for that reason and that there are a lot of us who are actively against it. War is not new to me, as it probably isn't for a lot of you. I've done my fair share of fighting in them, and fighting against them breaking out at all, but I'm not naive, either. With centuries on centuries of bad blood behind these kingdoms, it's not a matter of someone showing up and saying the right thing at the right time. As much as I might want to, I'm not going to walk in and talk to the Prime Minister of the Cities and get her to stand down from this war. Believe me- I've already tried. But that's also okay, because at this point my goal isn't to try and fix their problems for them. [ which...okay, there might be some thinly veiled frustration there. because sam has, actually, tried. a couple of times now. and he's less than thrilled by how it was received. was he surprised? not at all. but that doesn't mean he's happy about it either. ]

What I'm here to do - and what I'm here to talk to all y'all about, today - is just to make sure you know that you don't need to fight their war. They brought us here without our say, called by the Singularity and whatever tether we're supposed to have with it. Some of these places have welcomed us, and some haven't been given the welcome they deserve. But this place, these factions, however it is they've treated you - you are not a weapon for them to manipulate and you are not a soldier drafted into their war. And I want everyone here to remember that, because they will try and convince you to their cause, and honestly, they probably won't be that wrong in their reasons why.

But their problems are not for you to solve - not unless you want to - and you're not alone in this.

It's easy to forget how many of us are here when we're all split up across this continent - and sure, we have the Horizon to keep us connected, we've got that weird sort of- [ he gestures out towards one of the walls, though it's hard to tell what he means until he continues- ] -sparkling text thing that means we can keep in contact, but that's not the same. And when you're isolated, it's real easy to get caught up in these reasons, or opinions, of the factions.

I'm here to tell you that are aren't alone. And while any decision you want to make, or any side you want to join, is up to you - you do have all these people in this room at your back. We are in this together, and we can be here for each other, and what that means for me is making sure we don't get caught up in this war.

And honestly - I'm not here to ask for help. If you want to, hell, I'll take all the help I can get. But it's not your job, and it's not your responsibility. This isn't some recruitment meeting, no, I'm just asking you to be aware of what’s happening around you, and not to get manipulated by propaganda. Think for yourself. Keep your eyes open.

[ there is a brief moment here where sam pauses, like he's taking a breath. like he's letting everything he just said settle. it feels a bit like he's wrapping up, when he lets out this next breath. bare with him - he won't talk forever. ]

There are a lot of us who have gotten settled in our time here, and some who are just looking for a place to call home. These factions - they're going to fight for their home, and if you want to fight for yours, I'm not going to stop you. But it is your choice, and we- [ a beat, and then sam gives a small, slightly tired smile and settles back into his chair. it looks a bit like he was going to gesture to some key people around him, but like he makes the decision to leave it to him, instead. ] -I am here to make sure you know that. And to help in whatever way I can.

Now. [ another pause, and then sam claps, drawing everyone's attention back together. ] Any questions?

Comments

[fourarmedandangerous]

"I usually do not." Goro replies, examining his drink and noticing that despite two big thirsty gulps, it is still quite full. "Human alcohol generally does not affect me." Ah, but this is The Horizon, and...the Lawry woman is here, isn't she? That explains much. Hopefully she didn't see Goro get taken by surprise, if only because he doesn't wish to hear her preening about it. But something Shepard says catches his attention.

"Precisely the point I have tried to make." He insists, pleased that Shepard had already grasped it. "Declarations of neutrality only matter if the ones fighting choose to acknowledge them. Something I doubt will be extended to us, the Summoned. Our connection to the Singularity makes us too valuable to simply ignore. No. Captain Wilson may say we are not guns, but I doubt the leaders of the three nations will agree." All the more reason then, in Goro's mind, to fight. It will find them, regardless. "Captain Wilson believed himself a leader of the Summoned here. Meetings such as this will help reinforce that image among the others, who will in turn look to him for leadership. And of course, it drowns out opposing viewpoints." It's all really quite clever, actually.

"I am glad to hear someone else put into words what I have known in my gut since I first arrived here." And from a human no less. The human aversion to conflict has been one of the biggest roadblocks Goro has encountered. It's refreshing to hear one speak so frankly about the realities of war.

[earthborn]

"Look, if the Captain wants the leadership, let him have it. I'm certainly not gonna step up on the podium and make speeches about it," Shepard sneers; and, it's true. She is a leader, came by her position honestly, but community? Civic gladhanding?

No.

She kills people and sorts out the bullshit. That's the end of it. Leave the government-building and kingscraft to more level heads.

"Frankly, the history of bullshit between the powers that be around here is a problem, and open war is only gonna make it more of a pain in our asses," She continues, half-speaking into her drink as she does so. It might be more straightforward to have it out in a fight, but wars were expensive in every meaning of the word. What resources, and lives, went into a fight couldn't be used elsewhere. Like figuring out the Singularity, what it can do, and why, "What we need is some kind of outside threat that everyone has to work together against. Otherwise they're going to spend all their time screwing with each other, instead of doing anything more constructive."

[fourarmedandangerous]

In many ways, Shepard reminds Goro of an Outworld warlord. She commands respect, and acts decisively when she has to, makes no apologies, and wastes no time on excuses, and does not accept them from others. She is what she is, and if that's a problem, it's not hers.

Almost a shame she isn't a Shokan.

"An...interesting solution." He replies, though he knows enough from seeing her and Garrus' memories to know what she means. "But I doubt any Reaper-Machines are about to fall out of the sky and demand our extinction." No, it's going to be war. They all want it, but they're so hung up on having the justification, the thing that makes it moral. A waste of time. The justification and morals can come after the war is won, if anyone still really cares.

"Their goals for the Singularity are simply too incompatible." He points out. "Thorne and the Free Cities will not compromise because there can be no compromise between exploitation of the monolith's power, and its destruction. And so long as even one of them is bent on their goal, Solvunn will oppose them in turn." If a compromise could be reached, it would have already been done so.

"Even if one did, any unity brought on would be short-lived. When the danger passes, they'll be at each other's throats once more. And we shall be at it's centre." And they won't take declarations of neutrality for an answer. This is the fact none of Captain Wilson's circle, none of them, seem to understand. Wanting to be left alone will not be possible when no one in power will let them.

[earthborn]

"Nobody with sense wants a Reaper-level threat to arrive, and none of the people here are really ready to face that kind of persistent opposition," Shepard replies, rising to meet the idea with pleasure now that she's gotten started. He's alright, this Goro guy, he doesn't pretend that just because something isn't kind, it isn't possible. Or maybe it's that they both prefer to deal in actualities, not wishful thinking, "But just the threat, might be enough. It's easy to say, let's get rid of something, or let's not touch it, until you think it might be the difference between whether or not you get to see your next birthday."

She takes a long drink, then swirls her cup thoughtfully. It burns, and it's too sweet, and it's both at once— like the ugly, alcoholic aunt of pineapple. Shepard doesn't hate it, even if it's not really her usual style.

"Saying Thorne or Free Cities or Solvunn want anything as a whole is stupid. Regular people want what they're told to, and what everybody wants; they wanna sleep safe in their beds, they wanna see their kids grow up, they wanna eat, and know they get to keep all that going for as long as they live. The people in charge, as usual, are the problem," she takes another swig, smirking, and tips her head in the direction of Sam Wilson, who is currently speaking to someone in jovial tones, nodding and smiling, "...Politics. The head turns and the body follows. But if you can find the neck, and squeeze, you can turn things any direction you want."

There is a beat. Shepard frowns, vaguely, and regards the perpetually half-empty plastic cup. The Horizon is a hell of a drug, and not in the pleasant, literal sense.

"Turns out I retained more of that supply lines lecture from the academy than I thought. huh. ...Look, my point is that there's more of us than they can reasonably handle. And they are not ready for us to decide that we're done with them, full stop. Now if that's Captain Wilson's actual plan, that's interesting. But then again, he seems like too nice a guy to start burning churches and holding politicians at gunpoint."