Arriving a little late to the party, or at least appearing to, James made his way to the bar without paying much attention to anyone bar a few teammates and a few more pretty girls. He was dressed in a made-to-measure black suit with matching black shirt, and knew he looked the sh!t. He ordered a beer from the bar and downed it almost in one, then got himself another. It was still early, and a good night lay ahead that he had no intention of letting go quietly...

  Steele  missed the  reporters. ( though they did look for him) Sims  and His wife were making their  way to the booth  , that the Amota's had  just left with the Chargers  owner.

  Bronk and Cel headed into the Dining area.

 others  were milign  about, dancing or sitting  at the tables  with drinks.

George approached the late arriving quarterback at the bar. "Good game, James. You guys can really run up the points. Looking forward to working with the team to keep our winning ways going."

He grabbed another brew and started sipping the cold beverage.

Ricky had arrived parking his bike in the back and hidden from view.  He made a trek around the side of the building and attempted miserably at trying to sneak in. he stopped for at least 5 quick snap shots and 20 signings.  Some in the most lewd of places but it made for good comraderie.

Once inside he scoped out who was where and the progression of the dragon dance to see what he missed.  A few people looked new but didnt bother him much.  He quietly took a booth seat near the dance floor.  As soon as the waitress came around he orderes a steak, house salad, and a beer and water.

Someone called his name. Steele turned around and saw the new coach standing there...McNamara, wasn't it? He raised his beer in a toast.

"Thanks, Coach. Its a simple system to run, if you have your wits about you, just some shotgun or quick drops and - BAM! - make the throw. Keeps the D off-balance and wondering where the next trick is coming from...leaves them like deer in the headlights.

You know...kinda like our D...but they only have to face us in practice."

James let his words hang in the air for a moment, before he broke into a big  grin. Guy had to have a little fun everyone once in a while...

Meanwhile, Ben danced with Lu-Ti... until (and it would occur when the music was quiet!), Ben's tummy rumbled quite loudly.

Going a bit pink, he said "Do you want to go for something to eat, dear?"

  The  party is  winding  down.   The Players   start  making their  way to thier  homes....Practice  comes  early...

<her responding post should have been at the Rising son instead of Dragon's Den.  That's what I get when I'm half sleepy>

Lu-Ti giggles.

I'm already here at the Rising Son, she said.  We are decorating.  Come on down.

Ben can hear the other dragonettes in the background.

"Okie dokie, see you soon my love."

     <<<<<<  from Townhouses

  They Pulled up to the Rising  Son... Music  thumping  from within.

  The  Door Man Nodded to them as they entered... Security guards  watching the Lot and the Doors

  The Hallway now  had a  Few More  Pictures.( see post 1)...  Many of  the  New Pics  were of Ben or Duke, though Adam, Lucas and Others were there.. Some Pics of Worth   and others making Plays and hits. Even some pics of Simms  ripping off his headset as he snapped at a Ref.

Ben parked his truck and went in, talking to the doorman and security as he passed them. He glanced at the wall, deciding that it was getting too embarassing to look at it these days, then went in search of Lu-Ti.

Lu-ti was behind the bar helping serve drinks.  Before she was a dragonette she had a degree in bartending.

It wasnt until one of the servers got her attention did she look up and see Ben passing by the bar.

"Want a long island ice tea Mr Hope," she said in a cheerful jingle.

"Cranberry juice and soda, please... I'm driving," said Ben, a broad smile spreading across his face at the sight of his beloved.

  the   Music  was   stopped  as  Adam followed  Ben in.

 Yuto Had Worth on the Floor  with Dragonettes  as the Dragon Stomp started.

   the reporters that were allowed in were cruising as always, while  Dragons and   Fans Mingled. On the screens the Dragon was getting closer and closer as the    Music  grew Louder.

 Adam Grinned,..I'm gonna start coming late more often!

 once Adam tore himself away from the Pics in the hall,  He said to Cel,...let's get the  meet and rgeets out of the way? then we can grab something to  eat before  we  leave?... somehting Light, I still have a dragon Burger in the fridge..

Emma was a little later to the party than she had planned.  It turned out not quite all of her things had arrived.  So she'd ended up throwing together a nice pair of jeans and a crew neck t-shirt.  Decent enough, though not nearly as dressy as she'd have liked.  She wasn't wearing that full suit get-up to a party.

In reply to Rising  Son (msg # 1000):

She nodded and followed along with him as they made their way through the club and walked up to the area for signing.

I'm with you.  Eat light, she said loudly reminding herself.

In reply to Benedict Hope. (msg # 998):

She fixed the drink and then walked around the bar and to give it to him personally.  She tip toed up as best she could to give him a kiss and then handed him the drink.

Good to see you here, she said.  What you want to do first?

Ben grinned and returned the kiss.

"Get yourself a drink and we can sit for a bit. Maybe dance if you'd like. Do you want to eat here or shall we go back to my place? I have the makings for a shrimp curry... I'd forgotten the party until Adam started putting his smart clothes on!"

Emma went to go get herself a virgin mary at the bar.  It wasn't that she had a problem with drinking, but she was going to wait a game or so before letting herself drink around the team.  She just didn't know everyone well enough yet.  She had noticed the reporters and fans here.  That was a little odd, wasn't it?  Emma thought these things tended to be players and staff only.

Then again, the Dragons seemed to do things differently.  Yep, she definitely wanted to get her bearings straight before letting herself drink socially.

  The night  was getting a bit exciting,  more people  where dancings.. Vids  would pop up, showing  big plays of the past games... and  showing  some   other teams players  who  would say 'nasty' things  about the Dragons.

   Bing  came up and Sat down next to Emma,..Hey  Rookie!.... so..whadda  think up  Coach Simms' practices?

..........

  Adam  and Cel walked over to the  stopped at the BAr,  Adam signaled for s soda...

"Hey Bing.  Not bad.  Took me a bit to get my legs under me, but I think I figured it out soon enough.  Were things different today than normal?" Emma asked the man.  After all, it was a different defensive coach, and that would make a difference she imagined.  She just didn't know how big of a difference it was.

  Bing  took a  deep drink of  his beer,...well... This was  full contact... Simms  even let us push the QBs  around a bit...I'm thinking if Steele hadn't messed up, he would have let us hit them out right...

  he shrugged  as he  turned his head to look at her,..main thing is  running, and conditioning... Sims  figures    practice and  drive  will carry us through our  skills...but only   conditioning, will carry us through games...

  shaking his head  he adds,..Offense  will change alot  if that new QB isn't  ready.... that means Duke  goes the whole game..or?  they use Bronk  and that 'wildcat' thing....


 ..now?... you know you'er going into the  Game Sunday.... cover teams  for sure..but you'll get reps  on field  as well...

 there was a flash of  light  from  the Camera , as Cindy  popped her head up. Hello!... here I am   with Mr  Bing..and the Newest Defensive   Player , Emma Reese...

 the Light shown on them ,..Now?  We know  how the dragon's work..well..most of them..... so Asking  Emma what she thinks about herself  would be pointless.... So..Bing?... What do you think of  the Newest Dragon?

  ..you were out there.. right?.. you saw her  make plays, and even try , to make plays? I think she's already better then.. Horn from the Texans.... Horn can't  cover  real well....

 Cindy's  mouth watered,...well?  After the Jets.. you have a Bye, then Play the Texans.... You sure you want to  call Horn out?

 Bing shrugs,..Horn doesn't  do special teams... and we both play defense..so? unless they throw him out  on return teams, I'll never  see him.....but?.. He'll see alot of   Hope, Bronk and MAckins....

 I copy and paste the  last post to Rising son #2.... please continue RP there.