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. ]

Comments

[america]

Well, that is interesting. Now what you said earlier makes a whole lot of sense.

And no one's immune to this?

[uglybug]

Not so far. [Her tone suggests she's waiting for that one time where it's needed and she finds the one person who is.] Some people had had very powerful wills and I might not be able to keep them occupied for long.

[revlon]

Oh, no. I'm not one for grand speeches. And I don't think you've ever had any trouble rallying the troops.

[america]

[ lISTEN OK -- ]

Okay. So you'll have some strength and gymnastics ability. [ Assuming cheerleaders do the same stuff they do in those John Hughes high school movies. ] Not a bad start.

[ His expression turns sympathetic in response to her last comment, though he says nothing. It's never going to be easy, trying to get over this Storm destroying millions of worlds in an instant. ]

[america]

I'd like to try and have our first session this weekend. And given the amount of interest so far, if all works out, maybe it can become something of a regular event.

[ Obviously massively backtagged because the mun is garbage and hasn't had any time to set up a log.

BUT YOU KNOW. ]

It'll be completely voluntary, drop-in and drop-out as you please.

[america]

I can shoot a gun and toss a shield. [ Neither of which are skills he can really teach per se. ] Most of what I know is more instinct than something with form.

Hand-to-hand is ... probably a pretty general term for what I can generally do.

[sweetwater]

[ she nods. ] I'm the best. Stardust or not.

[ but why linger on the tragic end of everything they've ever known? she raises an eyebrow at him. ]

What were you like in high school?

[america]

Is that just a matter of someone being in full control of their own emotions?

[ Steve's not sure where he falls into this. On the one hand, he does have pretty good control.

And on the other ... not so much. Not always. ]

[america]

Hey.

You're not useless.

You being hesitant to kill another person, good or bad, doesn't make you useless. It makes you someone with a conscience, someone who puts thought into the actions you make.

[uglybug]

I... am not certain? [She realizes this is a vague, odd answer. She hates that she can't give a certain one.] The one I had the most trouble with was a powerful entity, but not always emotionally stable.

[america]

[ Steve laughs. ]

Not cool in the least. The uncoolest, in fact.

[sweetwater]

[ she rolls her eyes. seems like a lie, tbh. ] You? The All-American Adonis? I find that hard to believe.

[america]

And was this the time you were unable to defend yourself?

[america]

Well, I wasn't always like this. I had ... something of a late growth spurt.

[ Which is a long story in and of itself. ]

[sweetwater]

[ that she'll accept. ] It's a John Hughes tragedy to peak in high school, anyway.

[uglybug]

No. [She's sheepish as anything.] That did not go as planned but I don't think knowing how to punch someone would have helped then. [Can't punch meteors.] When the bomb went off in Olympia, I tried to find whoever was responsible.

[Hesitantly:] I found one of them. He punched me in the face before I could do anything.

[america]

I actually know who John Hughes is.

[ ... is something he blurts out before he can stop himself.

Even in this day and age, Steve Rogers is still an awkward weirdo around Very Cool Girls - even girls who can technically be his daughter. ]

[sweetwater]

[ she laughs, but from the way her face lights up it's easy to see she's pleased. maybe even a little relieved. ]

Finally, someone who speaks my language. [ no one ever understands Cheryl's references! ]

[america]

Ah. So it happened here, then.

[ Steve nods.

Another one of many reasons why this is So Important to him. How many events and disasters have they been through since their landing? ]

All the more reason to learn a thing or two, then. [ He offers her a reassuring smile. ] Not that I need to convince you.

[america]

Well, don't expect too much.

[ Steve can't help but chuckle too; her laughter is infectious. ]

I hadn't finished catching up on a lot of pop culture before we got here. Still know nothing about those little phone emotions.

[ Emotes? Emo-somethings? ]

[sweetwater]

Emojis! [ she beams. ] You seem like you catch on quickly. You just need a little help.

[america]

Emojis. [ That's right. With the funny word-that-isn't-actually-a-word.

He'd never remember it otherwise. ]

Maybe. I could help you learn how to defend yourself, and maybe you could teach me a thing or two about emojis.

[akron]

no, i suppose there wouldn't have been
especially if you were among the first to wake up?

( everyone just as lost as the next person, everyone busy with their own loss. that's how roxy imagines it. )

i'm sure i'll be all right, too

[ettersberg]

I don't know how much of one it would be. But most likely, yes.

[america]

That's right.

We were part of the test drive of people sent planetside. Glad it all turned out, huh?

You'll be okay. There are a lot of people here willing to help out.

Me included.