[ 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]

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]