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]

[ Steve nods, expression solemn - almost downright grim for a moment. ]

Especially with everything that's happened.

[ Oh, that bears repeating. ]

If something like this were to happen again, I'm hoping to be a little more prepared for it. Give everyone at least some kind of a fighting chance.

[america]

Yeah. It's not something easily forgotten.

[ Rumlow being a shit-disturber. Pushing when he's not on a mission. Steve remembers it with a fair amount of bittersweetness, because he'd found it kind of funny at the time. It lightened the mood.

Steve finds that it does nothing for his mood to remember Rumlow pre-reveal these days. ]

I check on him sometimes. Whenever I'm up there.

Maybe next time I'll think to bring a marker.

[america]

You know, so am I.

It feels good to do something. [ Something for the refugees who were awarded with medals that meant nothing. Pieces of jewelery that honestly feel a little insulting.

He gave his to Peggy because it could come in handy, but otherwise he feels no sentiment.

His tone when he continues veers on the edge of bitter but still manages to remain diplomatically neutral. ]

Especially with the kind of support we've received from the local politicians.

[america]

You can never underestimate the help of a good friend.

If you ever need any extra help getting around, let me know.

This place can be overwhelming.

[america]

Well, that's a highly specific question.

[ But it's not a secret either. ]

I do have greater strength than most average human men.

[america]

The learning part isn't hard and trust me, no one's perfect on their first try. It's the practice and mastering that becomes a challenge.

But you'll never know until you give it a shot.

[america]

Zeho - [ Sorry, Steve didn't quite catch that quick enough.

He shakes his head even though Quill won't see him. ] - sorry. No, I don't think so.

He was, as far as I know, just a normal guy. Brilliant scientist with an experiment that had unexpected results.

[nostalgiabomb]

... And it turned him green?

[ In a sort of tone of voice that goes, "Is that all?"

Like, isn't that just something that happens when you eat too much broccoli? Or was that only with eating way too many carrots that it turned your skin orange? ]

[ukase]

I like to think you almost sound fond typing that. Likely a pipe-dream on my end.

[It likely had been the worst problem that they had managed to get along well in and outside of missions. He had never been afraid to rib Steve, never caring how he measured up in the opinions of others. Steve had been a good guy, worthwhile badgering for a drink or debating baseball.]

Is that the only one you check on up there? I've seen a few faces I recognize.

Bring a silver one. That would tickle him. Oh and draw a moustache on the window.

[revlon]

If you're referring to the situation with Hodge, that was going easy.

[nevernoaction]

[He nods. So no Aura, just lots of strength? It then occurs to Ren that he might owe the older man an explanation.]

I'm trying to get information. For all of my friends still sleeping up in the station.

[He's not sure why, but something about this man makes it easier to open up. Not to mention talk.]

[stripebacked]

Dinnae think that Claire will want me doing such a thing.

[ Claire doesn't really want him out there promoting that sort of thing. She's not shy of it, but he doesn't imagine she'd want him diving in. ]

Well, a blade never fails as a backup. [ Small. Easy to conceal at times. ] A shield? How do ye fight with a shield? [ It's good for a good defensive position and a bash to the face, but he's never known it to be good offense. ]

[america]

[ Steve laughs. ]

Actually, that didn't occur to me - but I do remember that day pretty clearly.

You sure showed him.

[ And made an impression on every young, impressionable man there. Don't mess with Peggy Carter. ]

[america]

You'd be surprised.

[ It's probably easier to demonstrate his shield in action than it is to explain it all, but he can think of many, many combative situations in which he'd used it as a weapon. Bashing faces is only the tip of that iceberg. ]

But - you're right about Claire. Maybe it's best not to encourage it. Besides which, this club isn't about learning how to kill or maim someone.

[america]

Likely.

[ Even if Steve was thinking on that time with fondness, he'd never admit to it.

#stubbornaf ]

No, of course not. He's one of many.

Silver, sure. I didn't know they made silver markers.

I think the moustache-drawing is more your style.

[america]

Information on what, exactly? The refugees?

[ Steve appreciates the honest answer, certainly, but that doesn't make him less ... skeptical? Wary?

Well. He's curious anyway. ]

[ukase]

More than likely. I still respect you.

[Take that and enjoy it, Rogers.]

Oh yeah? All the Avengers that ain't here. I haven't seen the Commandos; have you? Didn't see Fury so far on my walk-through.

I know where you can find some silver.

[america]

Yeah. It - changed him. Turned him green among other things.

[ Of course there's a lot more to it than that. As it is, Steve knows it probably sounds a little ridiculous but Banner's story isn't his to tell.

So he offers the gist of it. ]

He could also kick some serious ass.

[america]

Oh, no, I am.

I guess you could say I've been enhanced a little.

[nostalgiabomb]

... Huh.

[ Listen, Peter was raised on movies and TV and cartoons. If a dude ends up kicking ass on account of a science experiment gone awry, Peter will go with it. ]

Anyway. Yeah. Like I was saying, Gamora's super good at hand to hand and all that stuff. I'll see if I can nudge her your way.

[america]

I wouldn't worry about that.

[ c: ]

[america]

Sure. Sounds good.

[ He wouldn't mind seeing her again, of course. ]

And yourself?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He snorts out a laugh. Then, he deadpans, ]

I can come for moral support.

[ Peter figures he already knows how to throw a punch, and if the dude is asking for another sparring partner, he's much better off finding one in Gamora. ]

[impavid]

[ Huh, tough guy! John is questioning his own confidence a little but equally, he has never backed down from a bad idea before now and he probably never will. ]

Then pick a time and place we can have a test run.

[ What could go wrong? Nothing. ]

[dianano]

[ Are you blushing Steve?? ]

I give credit where it's due.

I'll mention this to Diana if she hasn't seen it already. She's the best fighter I know. [ After a pause: ] Sorry, Captain. [ He's just seen her more in action than you, bud. ]