video, text; un: rogers

[ex_enlisted288]

[ open - video ]

[ Here's a face you don't see on the network often. Steve looks a little nervous, his jaw set at an angle that doesn't suggest anger, tongue slipping out to wet his lips a couple of times before he starts. ]

Hi, my name is Steve. Many of you I know, some I don't. Normally, I'd made a speech about this, but I'm a little out of practice with those. So I'm just gonna be straight with you.

I'd like to learn how to fight.

With sticks, with staff, with a sword. I'd like to learn archery. Clint taught me the basics but he's not here and that's a skill I need to hone. Payment can be in trade - manual labor, I'm good enough with my hands, or some artistic if I can find some extra supplies.

I'm in House 18 if anyone would like to discuss it in person. Thanks.

[ and the feed quietly drops away. ]

[ text - locked to Bruce, Natasha, Wanda, Thor, Rhodey, Peter Parker, Peggy: ]

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE.

House 42. Christmas Day, late morning, for a holiday feast with Liv and Bucky. I expect to see you all there.

Comments

[ex_enlisted288]

Something like that. And I'm not sure, what's the difference?

[ombranera]

The number of blades and hands involved.

[ Does he mean actual blades or is this innuendo? It may be innuendo.

It is probably innuendo. ]

That is where I am most skilled, if you wish to learn. I can provide hands on instruction.

[ex_enlisted288]

Yeah, I guess that's self-explanatory, isn't it.

[ Well, Steve is totally talking about weapons of war. Who knows what Zev is talking about. XD ]

What forms do you use? I'm pretty sure there were different schools or blade styles in the past. Where I come from.

[ombranera]

The style taught to those of House Arainai is that of the First Talon, though they were closer to third at my time of leaving the Cell.

[ A beat, and he crackles with laughter. ]

And I just realized none of that means anything to you but, were I to attempt to describe it- predominantly a short sword in one hand with a dagger in the off, though if your wrist strength is considerable and your spacial awareness is high enough that you won't slice yourself open while doing so? I and a few others are skilled enough to handle two full short swords in each hand.

If I am feeling particularly ambitious I use one short and one long but, the right tool for the right job, yes?

[ex_enlisted288]

Yeah, sorry. None of it makes a lick of sense.

But that sounds like a style that the fighting instructors in my world call florentine. Two blades, one in each hand. It's a specialized form of swordplay.

[ombranera]

If you are feeling particularly dramatic, you might toss a cape into the mix as well. That is more used for dueling than actual combat, let alone the techniques I use, but it does set the ladies hearts all aflutter to see.

[ex_enlisted288]

I'm not feeling that dramatic, but I have seen examples of a cape being used.

[ombranera]

The real takeaway is learning to incorporate anything and everything into a fight. Your enemies will not follow the traditional rules of combat, why should you?

[ex_enlisted288]

I've always tried to do that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[ombranera]

We shall have to work on that as well.

[ex_enlisted288]

That sounds worrisome.

[ombranera]

It shouldn't be! The lessons will be quite enjoyable, I promise.