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

[nevernoaction]

[He nods. So no Aura, just lots of strength? It then occurs to Ren that he might owe the older man an explanation.]

I'm trying to get information. For all of my friends still sleeping up in the station.

[He's not sure why, but something about this man makes it easier to open up. Not to mention talk.]

[america]

Information on what, exactly? The refugees?

[ Steve appreciates the honest answer, certainly, but that doesn't make him less ... skeptical? Wary?

Well. He's curious anyway. ]

[nevernoaction]

Just everything that's going on here. So if...WHEN my friends wake up, I can tell them everything they need to know.

[Ren is normally a very chill and relaxed person, but that calm slipped for a just second.]

[america]

[ It's a lot to be frustrated about, knowing you're here and the rest of your friends, your family, your colleagues ... they're all still up in stasis. ]

It'll be a lot to explain. Even now, I can barely wrap my head around it all and I've been here for a while.

I'm not sure how much you know already.

[nevernoaction]

I know that Olympia and Wyver have been fighting for a long time. That there's people from different worlds all here, trying to create new lives. That what we choose to do in this new world is up to us.

I don't know anything about refugees though.

[His knowledge is severely lacking. But he has to learn. For everyone else still frozen and asleep.]

[america]

Well, you've got the first part of it right.

[ In general. There are further details but none he'll be spilling over the network, for one thing. ]

Why is it so important you gather this information for your friends? Besides to provide them with a little context about what they're waking up to.

[nevernoaction]

It's so they have everything they need without having to look for it.

[Which is true. But what is also true is how very VERY alone he feels without his team. Especially one friend in particular, who'd been at his side since he was a child.

Gathering information is something he can concentrate on without thinking too much about how he has to do this on his own.]

I don't know how to explain it other than that.

If you are going to have some classes, I'll be ready.

[america]

That's a tall order, wanting to know everything. But you know what, every one of us wants to know just that much more about where we are and the people we talk to on a daily basis.

[ Himself, included.

So he gets it.

He also gets that maybe this isn't the place to have a heart-to-heart on the matter. ]

Sure. I look forward to seeing you there.

[nevernoaction]

[Ren recognizes the soundness of Steve's advice and nods.]

Do you only teach hand to hand combat?

[america]

I can shoot a gun and toss a shield. [ Neither of which are skills he can really teach per se. ] Most of what I know is more instinct than something with form.

Hand-to-hand is ... probably a pretty general term for what I can generally do.

[nevernoaction]

I see. Then I'd still like to take lessons from you, if that's all right.

[Tossing a shield sounds kind of useful, given the ridiculous combat native to his world.]