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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

[ Steve isn't sure how he feels about a statement like that. He's not even sure he believes it.

How could you attempt to kill someone you respect - twice? ]

That's right. A group of the Avengers. Friends from the past.

I can't even imagine Fury here but him in stasis seems a little crazier somehow.

[ukase]

[Rumlow was the kind of man who could separate work and emotions very well. An order was an order. He was a soldier first, which meant he followed the orders of his superiors even if it meant suicide.]

You must be so tickled to have all your friends either chillin' or out and about for you to challenge over blueberries.

Fury would have this place whipped into shape. Hell, he'd double-agent his way into the hostiles and rout them without four months.

[america]

[ Enough time has passed in Steve's case that being the blind soldier taking an order isn't exactly how he operates anymore. Hell, it was SHIELD and HYDRA's SHIELD that taught him those hard-learned lessons. So - that's, cool. Thanks, guys.

He wouldn't even count himself a soldier anymore, and neither would the rest of Earth if it still existed. He'd been branded a war criminal from the moment he refused to sign the Accords. ]

I wouldn't exactly call their current state of being 'chilling' but sure. I get your meaning.

As for Fury - that's an entirely plausible theory. But then he's always had a knack of surprising everyone.

[ukase]

[He had operated with Steve as a soldier. That's where their rapport came from in his mind.]

What would you call it?

Never trust a guy missing one of his body parts. Sometimes always goes south.

[america]

I'd call it what it is. Stasis. It's kind of a purgatory state until we can figure out how to wake them or the Natha does.

Fury used to tell me not to trust anyone.

[ukase]

Call it what it is: cryofreeze. A bunch of people in a state of being ice cubes to be awoken when the need calls for it. [See what he did there?]

Fury was the most paranoid old bugger I ever met, but he's right. The only thing you can trust is that someday everyone around you will betray you, even if that comes with letting you down when you need them most.

[america]

Sounds a little crass.

[ Without necessarily needing to be. ]

Interesting words coming from you, Brock.

[ukase]

You expect no less from me.

[There was always a time and a place to be crass.]

Right? Obviously learned that somewhere, didn't I?

[america]

Speaking from some kind of experience, I suspect.

[ukase]

Not that you care. I'm just another skilled thug in this world.

[america]

You said it, not me.

[ukase]

Your disapproval can't be masked, not even by text.