video: un: s.rogers

[america]

[ The video flicks on, blurs for a moment, then comes into focus on a rather handsome-looking man in his late 20's with a fairly scruffy looking beard and long-ish hair swept back. He's still got something of a boyish look to him even if his eyes have the kind of depth to them that expresses that he's seen some shit.

Some might recognize him from past battles, the wave-drops, the riots, or most recently: the torture room. Some might have seen him walking through the city of Olympia while on Royal Guard duty. And some might recognize him because of the shield he carries. It's kind of hard to miss.

He clears his throat and begins to speak. ]

I'm sure I've likely seen a lot of you at the recent coalition meeting - [ There's a mild expression on Steve's face, something very nearly unreadable - but he's very obviously not happy about it. ] - if not before that.

[ There's a pause. ]

And that's actually what I'm here to speak to you about. My name is Steve. I don't make a lot of network posts - [ This being his first, actually. ] - but I wanted to reach out to anyone who feels angry, frustrated and helpless from the kidnappings and everything that happened after. I want to start up a kind of self-defense class. A training club, if you will.

Sure, it might not change the future possibility of something like this happening again, but maybe it'll help some of you feel just a little more in-control of the situation. If anything, it's a good way to vent some of the frustration out. [ He shrugs a shoulder. ] I've found it helps me.

I've got a fair amount of experience in hand-to-hand combat myself but I could always use a little more practice. Anyone's welcome to join me. Anyone who can teach me a couple of things would be great too.

[ He figures having a couple of volunteer teachers alongside him would be beneficial for everyone involved. ]

I'd like to use this post to gauge interest and maybe set something up for the weekend. I'm usually training then, anyway.

Thanks for watching this.

[ Steve moves in to hit 'stop' on the recording, and with that the message ends and the screen goes black. Clear, simple, to the point - that's Cap. ]

video; un: deathweaver

[respired]

[ Koltira's somewhere near the Edrathe Ruins, standing beside a smoldering fire. His runeblade glistens with fresh blood, its runes pulsing as they slowly drink. Shadows obscure the corpses around the fire, though they seem to be monsters or other wildlife for the most part--deer, wolves, bears, and a few of the more exotic species, too. There's the occasional sound of bones cracking, flesh tearing, like something nearby is eating.

Koltira stares forward, his expression inscrutable, his cheeks smeared dark red. It's been a long night, but he's not satisfied. He's never satisfied. ]

The beasts of this realm do not sate me. They die too quickly.

[ He brandishes the gore-caked sword, raising it in challenge. ]

And the fighting dens are too restrictive.

[ His head throbs. His sense of self--never strong in the first place--feels like a loose floorboard. He's been stumbling through the past few weeks. The past few months, even. Ever since the riots. He scowls, baring vampiric teeth. ]

It's not enough. I need a true battle. One without limits, fought against the living. Fought against someone who can scream.

[ Unholy magic, sickly green in color, swirls around his body, limns his tall frame. ]

I stay in the ruins. If you can offer me a real fight, then come find me.

[ His grip tightens on Byfrost's hilt. He lowers the runeblade as his long ears flick back against either side of his head. His guttural voice cracks slightly. ]

Please.