Finding The Red Dragon

American Baseball

"I am impressed." Ivan stepped up next to her. "That I got them out here?" She smiled at him. "Yes. I am not sure we have all been in the same place at one time in ages." Ivan chuckled. "You must have some crazy influence." He added.

"I think I intimidate them." She whispered through her smile. "I doubt that, but maybe." Ivan laughed again. "Did you find the equipment?" "Yep. I had no idea we even had all this." He nodded to the bag of balls and a few bats laying on the patio."

"Cool. Ok boys, lets do this." She walked over and picked up a bat, looking it over. "Wait, Leif, are you playing too?" Ivan asked in disbelief. "Why not? I am probably more fit than any of you whelps." Leif patted his stomach. "Watch yourself old man!" One of the boys said as a few laughs went through the group.

Ella explained the rules of American baseball, which they all understood already, and then it was time to pick teams. "Ivan is captain of one team, I will take the other. We will pick players." She told the group. "Ladies first." Ivan held out his hand for her and she heard a few chuckles. 

Ella tapped her chin with a finger as she looked over the crowd, assessing them as they stared back at her. She needed to play this right, not just to win the game, but to win them over.

"Draven." She said and Draven looked as surprised as Ivan. "Me?" He looked around. "Yep." Ella smiled. "Ok." He looked over at Ivan and shrugged, which made her laugh.

"Fine. Leif." Ivan countered. "Torsten." She smiled and the man actually smiled and stood right next to her, crossing his arms. "Arcus." Ivan stood taller. "Skarde." Ella did not even hesitate, but the man glared as she picked him. Still, he walked to her side, but stayed away from her.

"You do know I am the most athletic and the best looking one here." Erik called out to her as he raised his arms. "I don't need pretty boys, I need muscle." Ella grinned and her team laughed as he put down his arms and groaned.

They continued picking until all the men were on a side. Ella had gotten the ones she wanted, so she was happy. "To the field." She pointed and they all looked at her. "Is that not ok?" She looked at Ivan. "I don't see a problem with it." He shrugged and then led the way.

"Ok team, I am counting on you guys to kick the pretty boy's asses." She told them as they stretched and warmed up. "Does anyone know how to pitch?" Ella asked. "I will. Skarde stepped up and held out his hand." "Awesome." She handed him the ball.

"And if they are the pretty boys, who are we?" Skarde raised his chin to the other team. "The sexy ass men." She winked at him and he smiled. She wanted to jump in the air and fist pump, but she just walked away to get everyone in place.

"Come on Torsten!" Ella called as she clapped. "I swear you better not cheer for me." Skarde growled from next to her. "I will." She smiled back at him. "Don't be annoying." He tried. "It's my job." She bit her lip, then cheered when Torsten got a hit, ignoring him.

"Just need a single to get him home." She told Skarde. "No pressure." She added, again biting her lip as he shook his head. "You know you are poking the beast with that one." Mel teased her. "He likes it." "I don't think that he does." Mel chuckled. "He will. Just wait." "I wouldn't miss it." Mel cheered for Skarde, who gave him the finger, making Ella laugh out loud.

"No offense to the rest of you, but I think that man is going to be my best friend." She giggled as they all laughed. Skarde glared at her comment, then got in position and hit the first pitch, smoking it out of the park. Ella met him at home plate and held up her hands for a high-five, but he looked at her with disgust and walked around her to the bench.