video; un: sg.rogers

[livingsymbol]

[He's out of practice. Steve is quiet for a second as he starts the transmission, bracing himself.]

My name is Steve Rogers. In my world, I'm also known as Captain America. Some of you might know me, but that's not what I want to talk about.

[Well, not about his work specifically. He does wants to talk about work.]

We're all here for different reasons and I'm not going to pry into anyone's business, but I think there are some of us who are used to defending people in our home worlds and if you are, I'd like to work with you. If you're from a world like mine, then this city is quieter than others. But that doesn't mean we don't need to look out for it. The wildlife and technical problems still need attention. I know I'm asking you for more time on top of the work we're already doing with the Perimeter Guard and official positions, but I'd like to make that extra effort. A lot of you are probably better suited to organizing this than I am. If you have projects going, I want to join you. I want us to share those ideas and work together to help the city.

[His posture gets subtly more stern, with his chin raising and his shoulders straight. This part may not just be a general appeal for teamwork.]

It's easy to overlook some problems when most of the big issues are under control. We get by well enough. It's a nice place. I'm not going to let anything put this place in danger. I'm going to be on guard, to make sure nothing gets out of hand. I'm sure this doesn't apply to everyone, but if you're interested in a little community service, maybe we can do that together. Thanks for listening.

Comments

[smokedout]

i wouldn't call it a personal problem. if he's assaulted me as many times as he has, i doubt i'm his only victim.

i keep tabs on people in the city. people call me paranoid for it, but you don't grow up the way i did without learning that valuable information can be the difference between life and death. in ivar's case, i know he has a hairpin trigger and a lust for blood. that, and a sexuality based around torture. classic psycho.

more to the point, he cut all the skin off of my arm. i think i've got a right to be pissed off.

[livingsymbol]

All right. That's a fair point. He's got some questionable history.

Now tell me what you did. Use as much detail as you did with him.

[smokedout]

i teased him a few times. that's the brunt of it.

[...But he guesses that isn't going to cut it, huh. Alright, confessional time.]

made fun of him for being crippled. that started the first assault. second time, he sought me out on his own. he cut my eye out. i stabbed him about ten times in the chest. i got arrested, he got away scot-free. third time, his girlfriend ended up hospitalized. i made him feel guilty for wanting a distraction, i guess. he tried to set part of the residential building on fire, to smoke me out. killed my dog. electrocuted me and it left a fucking nasty scar. all i got back at him was a dose of hallucinogenics. then i got arrested, again. fourth time, i slept with his father's boyfriend. they didn't appreciate it. ivar killed my dog again, and tried to skin me. i've still got scars from it.

i'm not leaving out details, you'll just have to trust me on that. i'm an asshole, but i don't go around picking fights i can't finish on my own. i wouldn't be asking a heroic type of all people to help out if i wanted to trick someone into killing an innocent man.

[livingsymbol]

But I don't have to trust you. I believe he attacked you. That part I'd buy. But I find it pretty convenient that you're putting all the detail into what he's done and use "only" to describe yourself. And I don't have any reason to think you're above trying to get other people to do your dirty work. That's exactly what you proposed two minutes ago. You must have pegged me for something if you thought you'd "make it worth my while" and I'd buy into that.

And all of that you should take to the police.

[smokedout]

the police, really? can't you read?

you think i want another power suppressor on my neck, asking one of the perimeter guard for permission to leave my house because some asshole officer believes a crippled sixteen year old more than a mutant with a fucked up face?

the police won't help with this, neither will the perimeter guard. i'm offering all i can, but fuck if i know how you do-gooder types operate. i can't clean up my act if i'm glancing over my shoulder expecting an ax aimed at my neck, alright?

look, i set out to tease some stupid kid and i ended up over my head. i admit i hurt him, sure. but i don't intend to kill him, that's the difference between him and me. i want this fucking blood feud over with. i'm trying to fix things and he's in my way.

[livingsymbol]

Are you trying to fix things?

[smokedout]

trying, yeah.

i want to be someone better. someone new.

but i already fucked myself over so badly being me... i figure that's not gonna happen.

best i can do is stop spilling my own blood all over the city. but that means getting rid of the enemies i made. trust me, there's no reasoning with him - i've tried that.

[livingsymbol]

Start with apologizing.

[smokedout]

i'm not the one that took things this far.

[livingsymbol]

You said you were trying to fix things. Sounds like you're just looking for easy excuses to pick off someone else.

[smokedout]

you think any of this is easy?

i know you've never lost your temper or broken a rule in your life, but it's not as simple as apologizing and moving on.

you don't apologize to a man like ivar ragnarsson, because he doesn't hear 'sorry'. he hears 'you're stronger than me, i submit'. you don't open a dialogue, you give him a victory. and chances are the next time i'm in the same room with him, i'll lose my life.

so are you going to take this seriously, or am i wasting my time trying to play nice? should i go back to selling drugs and spying for money where i belong?

[livingsymbol]

You misunderstood me. I'm very serious. And I'm telling you to apologize because it's not easy.

If you really mean what you say and want to fix things, then you have to do something that costs you. Considering the point is to avoid making that cost blood, you're going to want to go with my alternative.

[smokedout]

you're a hard sell, huh.

fuck it. if i wind up dead in an alley somewhere, just know you're the one that sent me there.

[Dodger's attempt at being a good person, ladies and gentlemen.]

[livingsymbol]

I'm telling you what I think based on the details you gave me. If you think he has more reason to attack you then you gave me, I'm not a telepath.