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

[akron]

well enough, i'd say
i'm lucky in that i have a friend who's been awake for a while already to help me along

[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.

[akron]

i appreciate that
have you been here for long then?

[america]

Sure.

Guess you could say that. I've been here for a little under a year by my count, back when the Storm first happened.

[akron]

what do you think of it? the governments, the conflict, the peace talks?

[america]

I've got a lot I could say about it. Probably more than can fit in a network message.

It's not perfect.

But there are some nice things about this place too.

[ Some things he probably shouldn't be saying in an open network, too. ]

And your first impressions?

[akron]

what are your favourite things?

( message received loud and clear. even just the fact that this is something he considers is telling. )

i suppose my first impression is that it's very different from home
which was london, england, on earth, before you ask
i've never encountered actual magic before

[america]

Favourite things?

Some of the people I managed to find again. Some of the people I never would have met under any normal circumstance back home.

[ Mostly, it occurs to him, that it really is about the people here. The other refugees.

He could do without some of the rest of it - the politics, the scrutiny, and the very obvious: the random kidnappings. ]

Magic is definitely something to get used to here, isn't it?

I wasn't used to it back home either. Not outside of rabbits in hats and people trying to unlock themselves under water.

[akron]

that's the extent of magic i was familiar with before all this as well. rabbits in hats and stage tricks.
did it take you long to get used to it?

[america]

There wasn't a whole lot of hand-holding in the adjustment period.

It's never easy but I'd say I did just about as well as anybody.

[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

[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.

[akron]

i appreciate that!
and i suppose we should all count our luck that this planet has a breathable atmosphere and all

( it could be worse. somehow, that's not much of a comfort... but she'll focus on it. )

[america]

I count my luck every day for that.

All things considered, there's enough familiarity here that it hasn't been too big a culture shock yet.

[akron]

yes, it could certainly be worse