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

[stripebacked]

I dinnae imagine they have much of a use in the future.

[ That's just a guess though. If there's one thing that Jamie is well aware of it's that men will always find efficient ways to kill one another. The pistol being one of them. ]

Aye. I've used pistols and muskets, but ye dinnae have to reload a sword.

[america]

They've seen better days, sure. But you can always promote a come-back.

Anyway, the future is here now, and I dunno - I've seen a fair amount of knives on the belts of the guard.

You're right though. A sword doesn't need a reload. Neither does a shield for that matter.

[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]

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.

[stripebacked]

[ Unfortunately though shields in his time aren't exactly as special as Steve's. They don't offer the same abilities. Not to mention they're rather large. Or at least they can be. ]

Aye. It's about learning to defend yerself.

[ Though self defense can often lead to death if needed to. ]

It's fine way to educate those not as fortunate.

[america]

That's right.

[ Protecting oneself is the key here - and yeah, sure, if a little violence and punching happens ... it's kind of part of the package. But Steve isn't here to train any would-be murderers or assassins. ]

That's the plan anyway.

[stripebacked]

[ It's an admirable cause really. One that Jamie knows many people would likely be jumping in after the kidnappings. Even if they were physically capable there wasn't anyone that was safe. ]

If ye'd like I'd be happy to give instruction with a blade and a dirk--if they'd like. I'm nae so sure how many would want that.

[america]

I'd be happy to have anyone with a skill join in and teach what they can. You never know, someone might be interested in it.

And you might learn something too.

[ That's his hope, anyway. He wouldn't claim to be an expert in any kind of martial art or defense even if he is technically more than capable of any number of things.

But he's hoping to learn something too. ]

[stripebacked]

I'd like that. Mostly I spend my days wandering our home.

[ Not so much wandering as patrolling if Sansa happens to be home that day. He told Claire and Jon he'd protect her and that's what he intends to do. Especially these days. ]

Claire gave me my birthday gift. The picture ye drew. Yer talented.