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

video, un: cherylbombshell

[sweetwater]

Steve! You are looking like the very ideal of a strapping young man. [ Cheryl why are you like this? ]

Consider me intrigued by the idea of self-defense classes. A girl like me can never be too careful.

[america]

[ There's a soft laugh - of embarrassment? Bashfulness? ]

Thanks, Cheryl.

[ He's glad to see that she seems to be all right. The kidnapped got the short end of the stick, but the rescuers had their own trials too. ]

I'll take your intrigue as a 'yes' that you'll be at the first session?

video | c.fraser

[nineteenfortyfive]

[This would have been helpful before she got kidnapped and before she approached Rumlow. Claire sighs before turning on the feed. It's easy to muster up a smile once she's let that breath out.]

This is good of you, Steve.

[america]

[ Mmmmmmmhm.

Not that Steve is aware of any kind of extra-curriculars she might be up to, but there'd be a fair amount of judging and concern. She could have picked a more ... morally sound teacher. Rumlow's good, he'll give him that, but it's the way he thinks that concerns him. ]

Well, you know me. I've never been very good at just sitting around.

audio | un: carter

[revlon]

[ She's not at home (patrol, a meeting, the station; take your pick) but she calls all the same. ]

And what are you looking to learn, Captain Rogers?

[america]

[ The way Steve's expression brightens when he hears her voice - well, it can only be defined as 'dopey'. ]

Something new. [ He huffs a laugh. It's the least helpful response, but he kind of means it. ] I figure a group of us from different parts of the universe will have a different take on self-defence.

It could be useful.

[ And it could be fun. ]

video | j.fraser

[stripebacked]

How familiar are ye with swords and dirks, Captain?

[ He's not sure how the war he was in was fought. Most of all there were ways back home for aggression to be let off. Jamie's never done well sitting about on his hands. Now that things are finally settling for him and Claire it'd be nice to stretch his legs. ]

[america]

I almost feel ashamed to admit that I'm not very familiar with either of them.

[ Steve's always been more of a ... shield guy. As is probably pretty obvious by now.

Still, he's not about to turn down getting a little practice in with a different kind of weapon and a different kind of sparring partner.

His mouth quirks. ]

I'm guessing they're your weapons of choice?

Video| un: M.Edgeworth

[milesedgelord]

Hello Steve, I think that is an absolutely wonderful idea. I for one would be greatly interested in joining such a thing.

If anything finding an outlet to help deal with the sort of helplessness that residing here has caused.

Please let me know where and when and I will be there.

[america]

Great - glad to hear that, Miles.

[ He can absolutely relate to requiring an outlet for all of this pent-up helplessness. Even if he is Captain America, the very fact that their kidnappers somehow managed to get the drop on him stings a little.

He's been mildly frustrated with himself. ]

I'll keep you posted. Keep your weekend free.

video; un: clarke

[romancekiller]

That sounds like a great idea—

I would definitely be interested. I think I could use a bit more practice too. [especially since clary is still in stasis just like bellamy and neither of them have woken up yet]

[america]

Thanks, Clarke.

[ Steve nods.

He can't say there's a connection between the kidnappings and the fact that a group of people, some close to Steve, have gone back into stasis post-torture - but this, at least, is something they can collectively control. ]

A little extra practice definitely never hurt anyone. I'd be glad to see you there.

[Video] un: kale

[kaleorbekaled]

[Kale smiles at this and actually chooses video rather than voice to reply.]

Hello Steve. I'd be happy to help train people or be a sparring partner for people you're training. I fight in the Wyver fighting rings for money.

[america]

So I take it you've got a few tricks up your sleeve, then.

[ Steve might not choose to use his skill as a way of making money, but to each their own.

The point here is that they all get just a little better at defending themselves, and someone with an unorthodox style could be beneficial. ]

I'd be glad to have you either way.

text; un: spanglethesestars

[ukase]

[Well, well, well, wasn't this just interesting? Too bad he was already giving private lessons to one particular person.]

Is everyone invited, or just select kids on the playground? I've done a lot of training in my day, and I'm willing to pitch in.

[And then to everyone else possibly reading this:]

To anyone actually interested in this, don't like Captain Rogers' modest mumbling about his skills fool you. He's the best there is, and he's a fast learner for combat skills he doesn't know.

And if you misbehave too much, you'll be picking glass out of your back for a few hours. No big deal.

[america]

[ Oh, boy. Here's a response Steve never expected to see. Or maybe he'd expected it but hoped it wouldn't happen.

Their last interaction ... hadn't exactly been a dream come true or anything. ]

I'm not gonna bar anyone from attending, so long as they're genuine about their intentions and won't make anyone attending feel unsafe.

[ He's got zero tolerance for anyone with shady hidden agendas and secret motives - just a little FYI.

But even he can't deny that Rumlow has skill. ]

Thanks for the promotion.

Interesting choice of username too.

» un: nightingale

[ettersberg]

If there is room for boxing or someone in need of boxing lessons, I would be interested.

( he thinks for a moment. he isn't making a secret of it, but he isn't generally going around announcing it to the world, either, but, well. this is steve, who already knows the secret thomas guards more closely than his magic. )

Magical sparring, as well.

[america]

Hey, I know a little boxing. [ Steve says, brightening in response to Nightingale's message.

He'll always be glad to hear from his friend. ] There absolutely is room for it.

[ He could do with the practice, and he's sure Nightingale would be a pretty good teacher too. ]

The same goes for magical sparring. Place like this, it'll be good to get familiar with just about every possibility.

» id: artemis

[akron]

i'm interested

[america]

Noted.

I'm hoping to see you there, Artemis.

voice

[godwins]

Anywhere you need me, Steve.

[ He hopes Steve knows that, and adds, with a bit of a grimace. ] I'm probably a bit outta practice.

[america]

Glad to hear it, Buck.

[ Yeah, of course he recognizes that voice without needing an accompanying video. ]

All the more reason to attend.

[ Listen, though. Steve gets just about as much practice as anyone could, and even he got beat. There's no shame here. ]

video | un: Nobody

[icingonthecake]

[Axel's not really the Good Samaritan type, but this is something he can get behind. What can he say? He's got a weak spot for teaching people.]

You can count me in; I've got training in both ranged and melee combat, and I've got a few magic tricks up my sleeves, too.

[america]

Welcome aboard, 'Nobody'.

[ Steve sounds pretty impressed, anyway, with this guy's resume. (The real test will be seeing what everyone's like at this actual gathering.)

He raises an eyebrow. ]

I'm hoping that's not your actual name.

video; un: ROCKET

[beatupgrass]

Ohhhh, this I gotta see.

[He just wants to watch. He's an ass.]

[america]

[ WELL there had to be at least one or two ... spectators.

Steve's amusement is pretty clear, but he keeps a generally neutral expression. ]

There'll be plenty of demonstrations. But you are welcome to join in.

video | un: sparkler

[flashystyle]

And are you going to be providing the demonstrations of hand to hand yourself...?

[Preferably without sleeves. Priorities.]

[america]

Yeah, sure. No point in me volunteering my own skill if I can't demonstrate what I know, right?

[ #innocent

There may or may not be a level of sleeveless-ness involved. But you'll never know unless you attend. ]

video; un: Stormflower

[nevernoaction]

I know a lot of hand to hand combat, but finding other people to train with would be ideal.

[This from a slim young man with a very long black hair.]

[america]

I'm sure we can find someone for you.

[ If this works the way he hopes it will, there should be a decent group of skilled and unskilled refugees alike. ]

Hell, and if we can't, I'd be happy to train with you.

video; un: mantis

[uglybug]

Someone punched me in the face once and I didn't know how to punch back, so I think this is a good idea. Thank you, Steve.

[america]

Sorry to hear that, Mantis. If it helps, there was a time when I didn't know how to punch back either. And boy, I took a fair number of beatings before I learned.

[ A very generous amount of beatings, one might say. Not that he ever gave up, and not that he ever backed down either. He really did 'do this all day'. ]

But this training club is gonna be a safe place to learn.

voice; @star.lord

[nostalgiabomb]

If you're looking to brush up, I've got a friend you might wanna meet. She kicks ass.

[ Gamora could kick almost anyone's ass. She'll kick your ass. She'll kick my ass. She'll kick your dog's ass. She'll kick her own ass— ]

[america]

Yeah?

Anyone I might have heard of?

[ Kick-ass anyones are more than welcome, obviously. ]

un; a2 - voice.

[atwo]

I wouldn't mind learning hand-to-hand combat. I always have my sword with me, but I have heard that sometimes that even closer combat can be of good use.

[ 1v1 a small robot, let's go. ]

[america]

Then you've come to the right place.

[ In other words, he's glad to hear that his experience and skill could help beyond just him administering said combat in a fight. ]

When you've gotta defend yourself in small, confined spaces far less than the reach of your sword ... it's always good to have a couple of extra skills to back you up.

text | un: J.SHEPPARD

[impavid]

That's a solid idea. You need anyone to help teach, I have plenty of experience herding civilians and getting my ass kicked both.

[america]

I could always use another teacher. Give students a little more one-on-one time.

Herding civilians, huh? Soldier or superhero?

video; un. FREDERICK

[pebblestone]

If you need additional hands to teach, I would be happy to lend my assistance. I helped train the Shepherds back in my homeland of Ylisse.

[ They're not actual sheep-herding shepherds, for the record. ]

[america]

Sure. [ He's got a feeling 'Frederick' means something other than sheep-herding, but Steve needs to know anyway. ] What did you train these Shepherds in?

Just curious.

video | un: Priorly

[priorly]

Will there be room for observers?

[It's a small screen and Prior's only head-and-shoulders visible, still, he might look a little fragile to be throwing people around.]

[america]

[ He might look a little too fragile to handle throwing people around, but Steve knows from decades of experience what it is to be fragile and still have a fire burning in one's heart.

Size really doesn't matter when it comes to that desire for a fight - even if it may determine the outcome. ]

Is observing all you're planning to do?

[ That's not a 'no', of course. ]

video: un: s.trevor

[dianano]

Well, you've made me a better runner. I'm sure I could become a better fighter with your help, too.

[america]

Well, shucks.

[ Steve grins. ]

You're giving me a lot more credit than I deserve. But I appreciate it, and I'd be glad to see you there.

text, un: Yousoro★

[ayes]

what if i dont want to hurt people though

[Yeah, something might seem off with her.]

[america]

Hey. This isn't about hurting other people.

It's about protecting yourself from people who want to hurt you.

video, un: highgarden

[antleredcrown]

I'd actually be quite interested in that sort of thing. A dear friend of mine teaches fencing and hand to hand combat and the like, but given how utterly useless I am at throwing even the slightest of punches, I might well want to start with the very basics.

I do have a half decent backhand, I suppose.