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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
At least, in public. Viktor crams another overly-large bite of brownie into his mouth, as if to emphasize that it is now his, forever, and then talks through the mouthful.]
A salon, of sorts. If we invited others to display their own work, I might be amenable.
[He gets the idea of it, though it seems egotistical to invite Summoned into their imagined lab to examine their work only. Perhaps it’s better to conceive this as a meeting of the minds—an opportunity to examine technology far beyond that of their own world.
And Rio can handle the guest list, of course.]
I’ll give her a bowtie, for the occasion.
no subject
It would be more fun than presenting something for the council, that's for sure. It could be fun, getting a lot of bright minds in one spot.
[ Jayce would love to be surrounded by scientists and academics in a setting like this, where they can show each other all kinds of things they're capable of creating. He wants to know about the technology in other worlds and see them in action too. If those types are around, they'd be like them, enjoying that type of connection. Plus. ]
Not to mention I was thinking after what that guy said earlier, there may come a time a group of scientists should go check out the Singularity. I don't know how we'd be able to measure it, but it seems worth a try.
[ The trip is very long and it would require a lot of preparation, if it's even possible. Normally he wouldn't consider it as an option for Viktor, although he'd never say that out loud since he doesn't want to be hit with a cane in the head. But with his healing abilities and some medical poultices Nadine could put together, it would probably be tolerable. ]
Should people dress up for a salon? You could dress up. I never get to see you dress up.
[ He is blatantly flirting again. Try and stop him. ]
no subject
[He's pretty sure he doesn't need to elaborate, especially given the fact that the last time Viktor was in front of the Council, it was to report the Hextech gemstone stolen. Not an experience he'd care to repeat. Unfortunately for Viktor and his dislike of social engagements, Jayce is starting to make this sound at least slightly appealing.
The trip to the Singularity sounds appealing as well, though it's not exactly practical, and he's quick to make that known.]
You'll have to send me a postcard.
[Making a weeks-long journey through the wilderness is not something he really wants to do, as much as he'd like to see the Singularity for himself. He doubts that Jayce will want to go without him, but Viktor isn't going to shy away from his own limitations, nor will he impose them on Jayce. At the idea that he should get dressed up, however, he scoffs, rolls his eyes, and gives Jayce a little shoulder-check (he is still, unfortunately, double-fisting a brownie and jungle juice).]
I've dressed up. You've seen me dressed up.
no subject
[ He's giving the puppy dog eyes. Viktor is absolutely right that Jayce would waver at the idea of traveling that far without him. Or doing science on the other side of that journey without his partner beside him going over everything with him. There would be other geniuses there, it's part of the appeal, working as a team to figure out how to even do measurements, but it's not the same as having Viktor with him.
It's not the distance that worries him, it's the time apart. Every minute they have together is precious. So maybe he'll have to come up with the idea and pitch it to someone else to accomplish, and then they can be read in from the Horizon or something. He just really wants to see the giant rock himself, okay? ]
Briefly and rarely. And always unhappily. This would be the fun kind of dressed-up.
[ He shoulder bumps him back. ]
It wouldn't have to be Piltover fashion, it could be anything.
no subject
[Trouble he says, like it’s some kind of inconvenience and not the fact that he isn’t in any shape to make that kind of journey. He knows what’s unsaid, too—that Jayce wouldn’t want to go without him, and be gone for weeks, because who knows if and when Viktor will take a turn for the worse? Being able to bounce ideas off each other in real time is secondary to that.
Saying that he doesn't want Jayce gone for weeks without him doesn't quite make it out. Luckily, he has another avenue of conversation to pursue, though Jayce's insistence on getting him dressed up doesn't go unnoticed.]
It sounds like you have something in mind, Jayce.
no subject
[ A giant magic rock. Jayce's second favorite thing! Second only to the man next to him, who takes precedent in all ways. Viktor doesn't have to say he doesn't want him to go, because he doesn't need to, Jayce won't go anywhere without him, especially not for a length of time. They're a package deal. He'll see if someone with more mobility can go and get them notes, maybe they can meet in the Horizon, it'll work out. Maybe he's a little disappointed but it really isn't worth the trouble.
The other subject makes him nervous in another way. He'd probably rather talk about magic rocks. He is practically squirming on the inside. ]
I think it would be fun, that's all. Either a salon or I don't know, they have nightclubs in Cadens where people ... sometimes dress up?
[ He feels like he's about to start sweating badly, which should not happen since he's in the Horizon and he can control his temperature, but he does look a little flushed regardless. ]
We could go. I mean, it's closer than the Singularity.
[ Water, he needs water. He's suddenly feeling really parched.]
no subject
[Viktor is not necessarily opposed, it just seems like such a ludicrous suggestion that he can't help but be immediately skeptical. The fact that Jayce looks like he's about to throw up is not lost on him, which has him wondering just what he's getting at, really.
Fun? Sure, maybe. Not really Viktor's idea of it, but he gets the feeling Jayce is testing the waters. Pushing up against that boundary they've set for themselves, to see whether or not it will give. Viktor isn't quite sure yet if he wants to indulge.]
I don't know. If you're paying, I suppose. [And then, because Jayce is far too easy to needle--] Are you all right?
no subject
[ Jayce knows that's an excuse and that he is not subtle so he is giving out nerves everywhere. He's asked out a few people in his time, and while he's always been a little awkward and shy about it, it's times ten when it comes to Viktor. This is why he does better when the other person does the asking. Or in some cases (like Mel), straight-up takes the first step. If he could just ask like it's nothing big to them, it would be better, except it is big, to him. And since Viktor knows him very well, Jayce is aware he knows something is up. Which only makes him more nervous. ]
I'm fine! Everything's fine.
[ He should shrug it off. Although what if Viktor dressed up. Wait, wouldn't that be too dangerous? Or maybe good. Or both.]
Do you want another brownie? Or more to drink? I can go get it.
no subject
Maybe he'll say that in a moment. Right now, it's more amusing to torture Jayce.]
You look ill. Which, considering we're in the Horizon, is an impressive feat.
[He still has a half-eaten brownie, and he hasn't finished his drink. Viktor looks at them briefly, then stares at Jayce.]
No, I'd like you to stay here with me, if you would.
no subject
It was just a thought.
[ He stuffs his face now with the brownie so he won't keep rambling. ]
no subject
If you wanted to take me somewhere, all you had to do was ask.
[A nudge. He gets what this is about, and. It's fine. Or, at least, it can't hurt.]
no subject
Will you go out with me sometime? For fun, not work.
[ Jayce isn't sure he can say the word date without being nervous about how it comes across. He wipes his own mouth so as not to take any chances with Viktor touching his lip again. Maybe it'll just be enough that they're out together and Jayce can try to make it more blatant when they are. ]
no subject
Yes, Jayce. I will, provided you simply say what you mean, next time.
[Dangerous, maybe.]
no subject
I will.