[ 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

[hextechhead]

Well I'm glad he convinced you. It's good to connect with everyone else.

[ Jayce gets involved in discussions, he spoke up in one of the conversations earlier during the Q&A, but usually to add a scientific point of view, not really push one way or the other. He used to be a lot more aggressive about his opinions, but he's pulled back from that lately. A fall from grace can shake a man, and he prefers giving educated opinions right then. ]

Yeah, there's history leading here. The Free Cities used to be Thorne property, until they rebelled and made themselves independent. I'm pretty sure that's something that has never been gotten over by either side.

[ Not that dissimilar from Piltover and Zaun, although they are literally all in the same space so they don't have the benefit of long stretches of territory where people can be separated. But he knows how a long history of conflict can rise and fall over and over again. ]

In a way I think they are trying to be the opposite of Thorne. No dependence on magic, a lot of freedom, heavy leaning toward technology and self-reliance, elected officials. Which also might be why they're against the Singularity, because Thorne wants to be closer to it.

[ It's a sort of obstinant defiant way of thinking, but a serious situation. It is why Jayce brought up in the talk earlier that it's likely best for them to have proof on every level of whatever is going on with the Singularity, since none of the factions will simply believe in each other. He hasn't been here longer than Kell, but Jayce has a tendency to get involved quickly, and he's been in the library and in the museums a lot since arriving. He may be avoiding politics, but here he is, fairly well-informed regardless. ]

There was a peace summit that didn't go well not that long ago, that's why there's increasing concern the war is coming sooner rather than later.

[blackeyedprince]

So they don't want Singularity for themselves, but would rather have it destroyed than let Thorne harness its power. This is stupid and short-sighted, and I don't know which is worse.

[Kell has a very personal interest in Singularity. As things stand now, anyone actively trying to harm it automatically looses any good will he might have had for them. The summit just brings him tournament flashbacks. What was on paper intended to foster good relations, in reality was used as an occasion for a show of force by every single country taking part. Including his own. Especially his own, since they were organizing.]

I'm guessing that summit didn't go very well.

[There would be no talk of war if things went smoothly.]

[hextechhead]

Well if Thorne manages to harness its power and put down the other two factions because of it, that seems like a reasonable concern to have. Destroying it is a terrible idea though. Solvunn's the only one who seems to think it should just be left alone.

[ Which frankly seems like the wisest course of action over the three. Jayce is definitely interested in studying the Singularity and learning how it works, just very carefully. There might have been a time where he would have tried to get home or find a way home through it, but that was before he found Viktor here. Now it's only a subject of intrigue. Or concern if it apparently sucks everyone into it later.

Jayce would definitely not support any destruction of the Singularity, but he is not in charge of Free Cities. And he doesn't know how they even consider doing that. None of them can get close to the Singularity, only the Summoned can, and none of them are going to help them do it. ]

It did in the start, but I guess there was a conflict at the very end that made everyone suspicious of each other again. There was no outright declaration of war, but it seemed like talk of peace did pause.

[ So it's the same thing either way. ]

I'd be careful in Thorne if I were you. They've proven they don't seem to have a problem using the Summoned, either against each other or in general.

[blackeyedprince]

[The thing is, Kell didn't think about what would happen should Thorne win. He simply assumed the royal family to behave like his did. Then, he had no real reason to be so sure the king of Arnes wouldn't use force to submit a rebelling province... or bring back one that has separated. He just assumed it would somehow work out fine for all parties involved...]

I'm not sure if 'left alone' is all that great in itself. If that's an object that has influence over the world you live in, ignoring it in hope it does nothing harmful might be risky too. But trying to destroy is actively idiotic.

[Now that's news to him. Maybe, if he paid more attention. Maybe, if he wasn't so used to be treated as an oddity.]

They do? Oh, I had no idea. They've been rather supportive since they summoned me.

[He's so used to being sent on errands by the ruling power that he probably wouldn't even ask why unless the request was especially egregious. No matter how much he proclaims to hate it, this habit is so deeply ingrained he doesn't even notice it half of the time.]

[hextechhead]

Using it is not a better idea if you have no idea how to control it. And if they're right this connects to other worlds, everyone is being risked by all actions surrounding it. It's why I don't think anything should be done until we understand it better.

[ It's too high a risk. Jayce is very risk-averse these days after his actions destroyed lives and possibly started a war, he doesn't know the aftermath as of right now. Taking a chance on Hextech is one thing, possibly upsetting an unknown power source that could destroy everyone is a bad idea. But he's not against studying it. In fact, Jayce is very interested in studying it! He isn't sure how exactly yet, but eventually, he thinks it would be a good idea. ]

I'd like to see it for myself someday. In person.

[ Maybe take some equipment with him to see if there are any measurements that can be done on a scientific level, not just a magical level. Jayce is a scientist, he can't help it. As for Thorne, he frowns, wondering if all the history he's been told was shared or not. ]

Sam can tell you more, this is what I've heard, when everyone was first brought here, they threw half of them in jail for no reason, and they planned on executing one of us. Two unknown mages apparently jumped in and helped everyone teleport away, which is why some of those originals live in Free Cities and Solvunn now, they fled Thorne. Free Cities and Solvunn then learned how to do the spell themselves so they can summon us.

[ He doesn't think that made things better, it's not as if any of them asked for this, but he understands why they would do that when faced with what Thorne started to do. It's unfair, but it makes sense. ]

They could do that again if they wanted to, don't they practically trap people in the castle there, outside of an occasional quest? There's a lot more freedom in the other two factions, we have jobs, apartments, and businesses.

[blackeyedprince]

Learning to use it might involve trying different ways. Often it's difficult to tell how a thing works simply from observing it from outside when it's just idle.

[Kell actually agrees with Jayce...but he's also a whole lot less risk averse. His mistakes weren't the result of mishandling what he knew was dangerous. They were from not knowing what he got was dangerous. So he's more inclined to believe that simply being cautious will be enough.]

Yes, me too. There must be a way to travel there safely.

[Maybe he should try his usual way? Now, that his magic is back, there's no reason this shouldn't succeed. And he wouldn't even need to ask for permission to leave the city, since most likely no one would even know that he did.]

And they just appeared and saved everyone? That sounds pretty suspicious.

[He just might. It doesn't sound right to Kell, the claim that arrests were without a reason. It might have been a stupid and wrong reason, and he hates the very prospect of possibly being imprisoned again, but nobody goes through the effort of rounding multiple people to lock them up with no reason at all. So it makes him curious what has exactly happened there.

The other cities, though... those Kell trusts even less. He knows how to deal with a monarchy, the rebels are always wild cards.]

That does not make them that great, really. It's still dragging people here without even asking. Doesn't make it more right when suddenly everyone is doing it. I don't complain to be here, but I bet there are some that do.

[Forgive him, he's defending the royalty here out of sheer force of habit, without even realizing he's doing it.]

I don't think so? [He's wrong and doesn't even know it.] We were asked to stay within castle walls during recent trouble, but that's pretty understandable concern in my opinion. From how I see it, we're more treated like guests. If someone wants to contribute or rise in the ranks, they can. If they want to study magic, they can.

[You know, the usual aristocratic stuff. Kell might be adopted royalty, but he is still a royalty. He fully takes for granted that he gets a room in the castle - even if not as lavish as the one back home - and all his needs are taken care of. He never held an honest job in his life, so he doesn't have the greatest frame of reference here.]

[hextechhead]

There is a way, I believe expeditions have gone to it before. It's a journey and not an easy one from what I've heard, but it is possible.

[ Jayce wants to do it, but Viktor already said he wasn't sure he could do the trip with his current limitations. And Jayce isn't willing to separate for that long of a time, not until Viktor is cured and well. It's fine. If other people do it, he can always hear it from afar or they can recreate it in the Horizon for more opinions. It's imperfect but it's the only option. He'll help come up with measurement devices if it's scientists who go, try to put his input in. It'll have to be enough. ]

I think it's more suspicious they haven't shown up since. It makes me think there's another group that no one seems to know about. It can't really be a rebellion, they'd be more vocal and visible if so.

[ And they don't appear to have been from Free Cities or Solvunn, no one has talked about these people that he's heard. They were gone and he doesn't think they've been around again. Jayce has a feeling there's another faction, one that isn't visible but maybe pulling some strings. He isn't a paranoid person most of the time, but after experiencing the questionableness of corrupt politics, he knows there's usually more than meets the eye. ]

Oh, I think everyone's wrong. I understand logically why all the factions wanted their own Summoned, one group has it and that shifts the power imbalance, but it's still not right. No one should be taking people without their consent. We're tools, one way or the other.

[ Jayce is currently fine with being a tool as long as no one seems to be actively using them, because Viktor's doing better here than home. And Jayce doesn't have complicated problems, he is just working like he used to, making things, spending time with new friends or Viktor, it's so peaceful in comparison. He still doesn't think it's okay, what happened, but in a way he feels like going home will be harder for him. Besides, there's no proof anyone does go home. They could disappear into the ether for all he knows.

Jayce raises his eyebrows at that, very skeptical. ]

And what if someone wants to leave? There have to be other places to go other than the castle. What if someone prefers to live in the village or find their own path in Thorne? From what I hear, you are in a gilded cage.

[blackeyedprince]

You might be right. I don't know anyone who tried, so I can't tell if they did or didn't succeed.

[That's because he doesn't know that many people. It's not as if he was really looking for this information. With time, he most likely will. Now? He was way too preoccupied with trying to get over all the mess he was in right be fore he was yanked out of his cell, and brought here.]

Gilded cage or not, I'm in no different situation than I was back home.

[That's partially a lie. It is different. He's not a prince here. The fact that has bot the good and the bad consequences, but in the end, Kell thinks the good outweighs the bad. Nobody is sending him on errands, nobody tells him what he's supposed to do with his time. He hasn't tried leaving the castle yet, that's true, but it seems unlikely to him anybody would bar him from it. Unless there was some dangerous situation like the last memory bleed disaster. Oh, he does want to go out, explore this world, to see places he only heard about, see Singularity in person. That didn't change. But he doesn't want to leave Rhy behind. Not now, not here. So he stays.]

I understand they all might think of the Summoned as weapons. [A treatment he's very familiar with. Unfair but understandable. Especially, in a political situation the three factions are caught in.] They just haven't figured out how to deploy us.

[hextechhead]

And you were happy in your situation back home? You never wanted anything different for yourself?

[ Jayce isn't judging him, this is coming from a genuine place of curiosity. It's not as if he was running around the world either, he was very much expected to stay in one place and dedicate his mind and efforts only to it. He could have though, if he wanted to. They used the gates when it was first completed to see other lands, and he could again. His obligation to Piltover was personal. ]

In a way I relate, I was pretty landlocked myself back home. I've found the freedom here really satisfying. The Council, the government, technically owned all our work. Viktor and I are making our own business, we have the freedom to do any projects we want.

[ It lacks the power behind it, since that is the only thing the Council really offered them, unlimited resources. Kell saw the Council for himself, so he knows how the set up is. They have a pretty iron grip on the city, so they're a multiple-person monarchy in a way. It's been thrilling to make his own money, live in their own space, be beholden to no one, especially with how they're breaking apart from Goro soon. Jayce sounds genuinely excited about what he's saying. Also, he's already making quite a bit of money. And it's theirs. ]

It's possible they do know how to deploy us, but they haven't had reason to yet since the war hasn't started. If I were them, and cold-blooded, I would've put a magical tracker of sorts on us, and had a failsafe for if any of us turned on them.

[ Jayce is a politician. He doesn't love the fact this all comes extremely easy to him, but it is only just logic. Why bring superpowered people here if you can't control them or track them? It's reckless. ]

[blackeyedprince]

I wasn't. Of course, I wasn't.

[Kell is fast to protest. As if he didn't try! He did! None of this was so simple as the other man paints it. Jayce knows nothing about him! Which is... while true, not fair. Why is he defending his current situation then?]

A cage is cage, no matter how comfortable. Mine was incomparably more comfortable back home, but ... [Kell winces. He tried to leave, he really did. Look where it got him?] It seems that wherever I go, I cannot escape confinement. It's just more complicated than that. I don't have only myself to take care of.

[And dragging Rhy somewhere into the unknown, where all he's ever knew was a palace life? It doesn't sound like something that could end well. Leaving him is out of question.]

[hextechhead]

[ Jayce feels bad as he can tell that Kell is getting defensive and this is about more than the obvious, and he shakes his head. ]

I'm sorry if I sounded judgmental, I know everyone has their own preference in how they live their life.

[ Jayce also lived in a cage for his own making, and he found satisfaction with that. Now that he's experienced more freedom though, he's not sure he would want to go back to that, necessarily. In fact, Jayce doesn't want to go home at all, something he's avoided talking to Viktor about on purpose. They have no way to force it, so it doesn't need to be a conversation. ]

And maybe they're just keeping everyone in the castle for now because of what happened before, and they'll give you all more freedoms soon.

[ Jayce is highly skeptical, it doesn't sound like Thorne would want to risk losing most of their Summoned again, but he doesn't know everything. Especially not in this world. He could be wrong. He hopes he is wrong, actually, he hopes that he's wrong that a war is coming, that they'll all be in very tough positions soon. He'd much rather focus on his new business and fixing Viktor. ]

I understand. You know how close Viktor and I are, I'd never go anywhere without him.

[ Kell got to see in his memories that the two of them were close as can be, and they have been in this meeting too, standing close, unified. ]

[blackeyedprince]

Preference? I wish I had ever been given the luxury of having a preference in how to live my life. I've been a weapon and property of the crown in all but the name since I was five. I've never had any real say in what I can or cannot do, where I can and cannot go.

[He was raised not to question it, but a part of him always wondered, always resisted. Even if it manifested in the smallest of ways, getting bolder and bigger each time he could get away with it ... until they weren't small any more.]

When I did leave, it wasn't me who suffered the most as a consequence.

[He failed his city, its people, but most of all he failed his brother. For all his complaining of being chained to his place, that's the one thing he'd rather never do again. He cannot stand seeing Rhy suffer. Not by external circumstances, not from the hands of other people, but first and foremost not because of him.]

As long as they keep my brother safe, I think I can indulge them.

[The alternative is not something he wants to think about.]

I know.

[Kell cannot, in all honesty, say the same thing about himself. That he won't do it, doesn't mean he doesn't want it. He'd love to see what's behind the castle walls. He was always curious of the world. Still, if the price of him doing some sightseeing here is causing Rhy pain, then it's not really a choice at all. ]

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to travel. I'd love to see the Singularity with my own eyes, in person. Hell, I'd like to visit you and see your city. But if I had to leave Rhy behind and that would cause him distress? Then no, I'll pass. No matter if I'm allowed to or not.

[hextechhead]

Property of the crown?

[ Oh he doesn't like that. Not at all. Kell is a person, a good person. Not a thing to be owned. Jayce can't exactly go back to his world and give them a piece of his mind, but if he could, he would, because that's just his MO. He's upset on his new friend's behalf, this sounds completely unacceptable. Kell deserves to be free; well, as free as any of them can be. They're all under thumbs one way or the other here, some are just more obvious than others. But freer.

Jayce pauses before continuing, glancing in the direction he knows Viktor it. ]

I've been told that living your life for someone else isn't much of a life.

[ He has been told that, but it hasn't made a difference. Jayce feels like it's more about need. Viktor needs his support and his full attention now because of his condition. He needs to be Jayce's priority as long as he's dying. Maybe when they succeed, they can have a few things of their own, but until then, it's not possible. ]

I'd be hypocritical if I advised you on that, but you could always take Rhy with you. Wouldn't he be interested in exploring the world too?

[ Again, Jayce does know some people have a preference. To not explore. He doesn't know if Rhy is in a similar situation as Viktor, unable to travel far, but if he's not, exploring the world together could be a great thing for siblings to do. Jayce always wanted one of his own, although Caitlyn's his sister in the ways that matter. She'd be as much about getting out there as he is. He wishes she was here so much. ]

[blackeyedprince]

[Rhy would be so mad if he'd ever learned about him saying this again. It's not unwarranted, though. For all the pretty clothes, a title and his own room in the palace - a room that he never liked to be honest, this is what he was in practice. It showed every time when he tried to act even a little independent.]

Nominally, I was adopted into the royal family, but it was pretty obvious from the start that I didn't have any of the freedom that would come with it if it was truly what they said it was.

[Kell laughs. What a nice phrase. Clearly coming from someone who never had such problems. He might have not had the luxury of free choice, but still was stubborn enough and inventive enough to carve some space and time for himself. As little as it was.]

Well, well, then it seems I didn't have a life at all until I came here. I beg to differ.

[But it's the last question that makes him pause. Would he? Back in London, his brother never expressed the wish, but there it was different. Kell never asked, he just assumed that this haven't changed, but maybe? Rhy seems to be quite settled in Thorne. He still likes the city and its comforts, but who knows... He doesn't have the same responsibility as he had back home.]

Actually, I've never asked. Not sure what his answer will be, even if I did. Travel can be pretty inconvenient.

[Even if you have the means, there are no soft beds, no readily accessible baths, the food and drink is whatever you take with you, unless you happen on a tavern, and riding all day on horseback is pretty tiring.]

[hextechhead]

They were legally your family but only he treated you like it, is what I'm getting.

[ Adopted meant technically family, and many people had wonderful and loving adopted families, but it doesn't sound like it was that for Kell, outside of Rhys. Which at least he had him. Some people had no one to hold onto. Jayce is thankful for his connections; he'd been a very lonely child and didn't really gain any friendships until his twenties. For all his extroverted nature, it hasn't led to him making easy bonds with others. Only good at talking to strangers. ]

I mean, I'm saying that as someone who definitely prioritizes someone else over everything, so it's more like an awareness that isn't the healthiest way of existing.

[ It has been brought up to Jayce that he probably should have a life outside of Viktor, but they're so connected to one another that it really doesn't seem feasible. Maybe the answer is that he knows it's something he can't change about himself, but would want someone else to do it differently. Especially if Kell's always lived for another person. He's a good guy. He deserves more, that's what Jayce has caught on to so far. ]

You should ask. He might surprise you. Travel is inconvenient but sometimes it's an adventure too. Although I'd really love to not be in a desert. That's not an adventure I would've chosen. The sand gets everywhere.

[ It isn't his choice. Jayce has accepted he would have to go to Thorne or Solvunn to escape the dreaded desert. He had sworn to himself once that he'd avoid them for the rest of his life. And now it's where he lives permanently. RIP. Jayce doesn't love the heat that comes with it either, but he is used to always being hotter (in temperature) than other people. It's the dust and sand that stays with him. ]

But there's a place in Free Cities, a beach town with a lot of commerce and culture, Aquila. It's a week journey to get there but it sounds great.

let's wrap this one too

[blackeyedprince]

[Kell had a lot of people around him. Quite often more than he'd like. The one's that treated him as a person and not some saintly or demonic entity, were few. As for friends, well, there was only one he could honestly call that.]

It is what it is. Healthy or not.

[It is a concession from him. His fixation doesn't only come from what he was expected to be and do. It would end here, and it very much didn't. It was, is, more because Rhy is Rhy ... Speaking of Rhy, his brother is fond of his comforts, but he has done enough of crazy to last two lifetimes. For them both. So who knows, maybe he will be interested in travel.]

You might even be right. I'll let you know if I managed to drag him out on adventure.

Thumbs up :D

[hextechhead]