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abraxaslogs2022-05-11 10:56 am
- castiel; the hanged man,
- cirilla of cintra; the devil,
- commander shepard; judgement,
- dean winchester; the lovers,
- geralt of rivia; the hanged man,
- goro; the chariot,
- himeka sui; the fool,
- inej ghafa; the hierophant,
- jaskier; the sun,
- jayce talis; the magician,
- jesper fahey; the wheel of fortune,
- kell maresh; the magician,
- nero (dmc); the chariot,
- rhy maresh; the lovers,
- sam wilson; justice,
- sasarai; judgement,
- stephen strange; death,
- thancred waters; strength,
- tony stark; the magician,
- viktor; death,
- wanda maximoff; the hanged man,
- y'shtola rhul; the high priestess
[ OPEN ] no more wasting time.
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?
no subject
Judging by the look on this stranger's face, he's confused by Thancred's confusion. If this sort of thing is commonplace for both Sam and this other Summoned, then the unfamiliarity that Thancred's exhibiting would be baffling.
Yet they're sorting it out. Thancred doesn't know what a remote is, though he can hazard a guess based on the word alone. Some sort of device one can use, even from a distance — the Garleans had consoles that would issue a piece of their magitech orders, though this is a far more tame example of that.
He steps back to give the other man space, then blinks in mild surprise when the screen lights up with moving images of three Hyurs sitting at a desk and talking. About what, he doesn't quite know.
At the man's question, he tears his gaze away from the screen and smiles crookedly, spreading his hands out to either side. ] What gave it away?
i'm sorry for dragging thancred into mario kart
Nero's eyes get a light in them. Oh, yeah. He's gonna destroy this guy. If he can convince him that a little controller in his hands is gonna make a car move on the screen.
It'd be fun. Why not? If he's never seen a television, video games might blow his mind. Nero reaches past him, switching on the console that turns on with a small lit light and a hum.]
General look of a bat seein' the sun for the first time. Lucky for you, sounds like you guys got sarcasm. [He plucks up a pair of controllers, grey and round, the buttons purple. He holds one out as a racing game starts up. Yeah, it's not Forza, but a kart's a car. Close enough.] Well, buddy, get ready for a little lesson. We call them video games. The buttons make this baby [he taps one of the karts on screen] stop or go. How're you with racing? You look like a competitive guy.
[How does he know? He doesn't. But, look, people with weird tattoos tend to be. Just ask him how he knows.]
drivebyyy
she's at the doorway of the living room staring, as she usually does, and then making a face at nero as he starts going on about video games.]
Nero. [nero tends to be pretty adept at handling himeka's lack of... their world's modernity, and because of the connection between himeka and thancred, she knows the man has little experience in the modern department.] Don't go hard on him.
[bless thancred though, wanda knows he's patient.]
no subject
[ Sarcasm. Yes, Thancred is quite skilled in the use of it, if he says so himself, but that's neither here nor there. He's now having "video games" explained to him.
He takes the small device affixed with buttons, looking between it and the bright colors on the screen as the stranger explains. He can wrap his head around the general concept — that inputs he makes on the handheld device will control what he sees on the screen. It's like nothing he's ever seen before, to be sure, but there's a clear cause and effect that he can follow. Like any sort of game. ]
I can't say I've ever raced, at least not like this. [ Chocobo racing is the primary method of such recreation where he's from, but he'd always been more of a Triple Triad player himself.
Then a familiar voice sounds from behind him. Thancred blinks, looking over his shoulder to stare at Wanda before returning his attention to the white-haired stranger, who she apparently knows. ] Your name is Nero? [ After a beat, he shakes his head. ] Apologies, but there's someone from my star with that name, and you're... well, nothing like him. Which is a good thing, I can assure you.
WANDA NO BULLY [sprays with water]
[He might be about to learn something interesting except Wanda has to show up. Nero turns to spot her over a shoulder.] Well, look who decided to finally show up, huh? [He waves an arm in the perfect representation of yeah, yeah.]
Don't listen to her, I'm -- [He blinks.] Uh, yeah? Why's everyone so weird about my name? Himeka was too. [Not that she made it as obvious as this guy, but she'd looked confused. Staring at him like she was expecting something entirely different.
Ah. Well. Cool. In this case, suddenly it makes sense.] Oh, great, so he's an asshole, is what you're saying. Yeah, well, I'm not him, all right? At least let me beat you in a few rounds before you try to write me off.
no subject
Yes, I imagine she would be. She's had to deal with him more than I have, in fact.
[ That's neither here nor there, however, and the less consideration given to Nero tol Sceava, the better. This Nero picks up on Thancred's meaning with little delay, though does get a bit defensive about the whole thing. ]
I'm hardly going to judge on a name, it was merely unexpected. [ With that, he lifts the handheld device he's holding and gives it a wiggle, gesturing to the screen with his free hand. ] Now, you were saying...? [ He still has no idea what he's doing, please explain. ]
no subject
Not much else to remember them by.]
Oh, yeah, right. [But Nero's over it since he's not getting more shit for it. Besides, the guy's probably gonna be tired of him soon enough after a few races coming in 8th place. He points out the gas button, the brakes -- even points out exactly how to drive on the corners, except Nero doesn't explain what drifting is.]
It's one of those things you learn as you go. Like a bike. [Or is that you never forget how to do it...?] Anyway, let's race. I'm definitely gonna smoke you.
[You know, in a completely friendly manner. He picks the course, randomized, and a little guy holding a traffic light holds up three fingers. Three. Two. One. Go!]
no subject
Not that he could be expected to know exactly how to play this game on the first try. While the general logic behind it is all simple enough to understand, the reality of when to press the buttons or move the little stick and for how long is not nearly as straightforward. It feels more like trying to walk for the first time.
By the third or fourth time that he goes off the track, Thancred can't help but start murmuring to himself in frustration. He's also holding the controller in a white-knuckled grip as he attempts to properly manipulate all the different buttons. The entire setup is foreign and unnatural to him, but it never feels good to be bad at something. ]
Why won't you move the way I want?
should we wrap it here?
He can't be a complete dick.]
Here, on the turns, press this button. [He pokes at one of Thancred's digits, holding a top trigger down.] Makes your cart drift. Way easier to curve around the tight turns. That's the secret.
[Yeah. He's a saint.] Wanna go again? You won't get better if you don't practice. And let's be honest, this is way more interesting than most of this meeting.
sure thing!! teach him your ways, nero
The drifting does seem as if it will take some getting used to as he continues to crash into walls half the time, but it's markedly better than what he was doing before. ]
I suppose even something like this requires practice, but I suspect it's much more enjoyable when you're doing well. [ Is this some manner of life skill he might need for the future? It's unlikely, and yet Thancred has made most of his rounds with other Summoned, so he may as well. ]
Fine, let's give it a go. [ He cracks both his wrists before gripping the controller once more. ] Let it never be said that I give in before making a proper try at something.