abraxaslogs | [ OPEN ] no more wasting time.

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[with a similar reticent nature to push wanda away from most socialization, she finds herself heading out of the house for some fresh air. she is here out of friendly responsibility, until the crowd eases out and she can say her good byes properly to sam. now is not that point in time, yet, and so meandering about is on the menu for her.

just as she is about to consider sitting on the bench in the porch for a moment, she spots someone who has beat her to removing themselves from the situation, sitting by his lonesome on the docks.

wanda walks the length of the dock, getting down on her haunches beside the man, keeping an arms-length distance between them to respect his space, and looks out towards the horizon the same way he does. it's peaceful here, and that's one of wanda's favorite things about sam's domain.

she offers:]

I wouldn't mind if every day felt as warm and golden as it does here. A perfect summer.

[It's been quiet for a while, just the sounds of nature and shoreline to keep him company on the dock. It wasn't long ago that he had visited Dean in a similar place in the comfort of his dreams, four years felt like a blink in time for him.

When he feels the presence of another and the form casts a shadow on the dock he turns his head to meet the eyes of the stranger.]

It's nice here. Peaceful. Quiet in a way that the free cities rarely are.

I never thought about how noisy it must be there.

[wanda turns to face him, an inquisitive look in her eyes. it really is one of those things you don't think about—how quiet a place is. it is the first thing that is taken for granted, and it makes wanda ponder, as her eyes turn towards the sky.]

Solvunn is quiet. [with the occasional sound of nature, the occasional nero yelling at something.] I'm sure Sam won't mind you visiting here as much as you like.

[sam tends to not mind if he can offer refuge to others.]

Edited 2022-06-13 19:48 (UTC)

[Castiel nods, and tips his head back up toward the sunny skyline. As loud as it could be in the free cities he wouldn't trade it for somewhere quieter. Here he had Dean, and others that knew him and that was a source of comfort.

When it came down to what really made him feel lost, it was the fact that his grace wasn't operating at full functionality. At home, he could go anywhere he wanted to get away, and here he was limited to a certain scope and area.] Sam is a good man. I understand what Dean sees in him, his leadership qualities are admirable. He had full command of the room.

[Castiel hasn't been to very many meetings, not since his time on earth. Most of the meetings he's had with Dean and Sam couldn't be compared because of the sheer numbers.] I don't mind the Free Cities, but places like these offer more tranquility and peace of mind.

Dean a friend of yours?

[not that wanda knows him, but it is perhaps one of the many people who came here ailing from the free cities. she squints a little, then sits properly beside castiel.]

I spend most of my time in the Horizon, even when I'm in Solvunn. [a cheeky confession—she likes being alone.] My name's Wanda. Sam is from my world, and he's... got pretty big shoes to fill there, but he's got it. I think he's pouring all that energy into what he can do here.

[...as an afterthought, she suggests:] You could make your own domain quiet like this. Have you worked on that yet?

A good friend. From home.

[Or what became his home after rebelling and being subsequently barred from heaven. His lip turns up at the corner, he'd rather have him here than be here on his own. Navigating the social necessities of maintaining life here was much more his thing]

I'm Castiel. [He offers a hand from where he's sitting, despite the lack of formality.] I don't know anything about the shoes he's meant to fill, but from where I was standing it looked like he's capable of it.

[The people would need a leader and he had the strength of resolve and the charisma to be just that. The mention of the domain however pulls his attention from that notion and back to her.] No. I don't - I wouldn't know where to begin.

[oh, it's kind of... endearing? that he offers a hand to shake. it reminds wanda briefly of vision's awkward social cues—and perhaps that's reason enough why she reaches for his outstretched hand and shakes it, even if she usually wouldn't. she smiles a little at the fact, pulling her hand back.

it's also just a little curious how uncertain he seems to feel about being able to work and mold the horizon at his whim.]

Well, it can definitely be a little challenging.

You mostly, hm... Have to use your imagination a lot? [wanda pauses for a moment in thought.] Can you think of your favorite place to be in?

[Their hands meet and Castiel gives Wanda's palm a firm squeeze before releasing, nothing too abrupt but his hands are soft despite the wear and tear of what he's been through. The look on his face remains pensive, and he takes in what she's saying with curiosity in equal measure with his own doubt.]

I'm afraid I'm not very good at that. [Imagining. He's always operated with some kind of rubric, or a set of guidelines, a base understanding of a situation. He wasn't made with the capacity for wild imagination and free will was still fairly new to him.] Even the heaven I spent most of my time in wasn't one of my own making.

Apart from that, I wouldn't know where to begin. I prefer people to places and company to creature comforts.

People to places... Company to creature comforts.

[wanda repeats that in a mostly skeptical tone, slowly, as if trying to decipher what he means by that. not that it's painfully difficult, but wanda has never imagined a time where she didn't want a place to fall back to—her own room, a home, curtains on the quinjet circling a corner, or anything that would allow her some privacy to herself and her thoughts.

well, it's not like they have to come up with anything, here in the horizon. she shrugs easily, her gaze forward.]

You're not obligated to put something together. Sam's place is pretty nice. I have a place with a cabin and a lake, too. You're invited to go there if you like, [scrunching her nose, she turns her face to him] and maybe we can have some tea some time.

I've been alive long enough to know that the priority is there. Not in the solace of nature, no matter how much I may appreciate it.

[Putting something together sounds like a chore he'd rather explore when he wasn't dealing with the preoccupation of memories that he can't recall, and an inevitable war that wasn't his own.

Idle hands were necessary for him to put something like that together, and his focus remained elsewhere.]

It is. I'd like that. [While Castiel often drank whatever Dean put in front of him, he did prefer tea and its herbal qualities. Its taste was a lot easier for him to materialize and get a sense of.]

[ OPEN ] no more wasting time.

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castiel being compared to vision is everything tbh i'm here for it

isn't it great (& would u mind if i added u on plurk?)

of course! i'm doggos@plurk, feel free to button this thread if you want. covid got me. :c