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

[nostalgiabomb]

I dunno, maybe? Her name's Gamora. Kinda no nonsense? But, like, not in a lame way.

[ ... also she's green, but apparently it doesn't occur to him to mention that. ]

She's cool.

[america]

Gamora. I met a Gamora at the gala a few months back.

[ And yes, her skin was green.

They danced.

It was nice. ]

Unless it's a very common name, she might be the same woman.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs out laugh. ]

Nah. I can't imagine there being more than one person with that name around here. I've gotta assume that was her.

Dark hair that goes pinkish at the tips? Silver markings on her face? A sort of, like, air about her that says she could probably snap a dude in half with her pinky finger if she had a reason to?

[america]

Yeah. All of the above.

[ Steve huffs a laugh.

And because he has to mention it: ]

She had the greenest skin I've ever seen too, second to this guy I used to know back home. [ Banner's up on Thesa, but his alter-ego ... well, who knows if he'll ever see him again. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

Ah. Yeah. That too.

[ A beat, then, ]

That dude wasn't Zehoberei, was he?

[ Just to be sure, you know? They were weird about who they pulled in up at that dumb station. There was every chance it could've been someone from Gamora's home planet. ]

[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? ]

[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.

[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]

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. ]

[america]

[ Steve responds in kind with an answering chuckle. ]

Well, all right. That's fine too.

[nostalgiabomb]

I'll be sure to bring ice packs, too.

Gamora punches really hard.

[ And he says it with authority. Apparently he speaks from experience. ]

[america]

[ There's another laugh. ]

Forward thinking - good call.

[nostalgiabomb]

Less "forward thinking" and more "I've been on the receiving end of her fist and have the bruises to prove it," if I'm honest.

[ A pause, then, ]

I'm Peter Quill, by the way. Folks call me Star-Lord.

[ no, they really don't. ]

[america]

Another good lesson learned, I guess.

[ Steve knows a thing or two about being on the receiving end of a punch, tbqh. He's gotten better at avoiding that position though. ]

Good to meet you. Do you have a preference between Peter Quill or Star-Lord?

[nostalgiabomb]

Either. Both.

[ That's a lie. He likes "Star-Lord" better, because it sounds so much cooler. ]

I dunno. Whatever you're more in the mood for.