With the first slow dance over, the Big wheels waved to the players as they returned to the  dinning  room to finish thier dinner.

 Adam Talked with Lu-ti for a moment  before  another Dragonette came over  and whispered to her, and they both took off towards the far side of the club.

  Bronk  walked towards  the bar..he stopped By Kat  and Gerhart. He smiled at them,  sure  don't look like  a  football player  now, Kat..very nice.... He grinned at Gerhart,..and..well neither do you..don't  want to feel like i slighted you...  The Muisc was starting  for another  slow dance, Adam bowed his head to them,  well, enjoy the evening..

 A server  walked by with a tray  of drinks, offering  one to Bronk, he shook his head, she asked him something and he replied, she spoke into her headset..a moment later another girl appeared with a Large glass of Coke on ice...he smiled  and thanked hem both, and they were off to carry on with thier  jobs.

  The wide out  stopped near a tall standup table and drank is  soda as he wathed the rest of the poeple mingle  and dance.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:21, Sun 27 June 2010.

 La Roi stood up, from the bar after a few drinks. He began to make his  way to the edge of the Dance floor. His eyes looked over all the people in the place. He Saw  Worth  talking with  some ladies, and PAyne talking to a few suits. It hit him hard then.He was more  of a rookie on this team, then the new guys!
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:51, Tue 15 Nov 2011.

As soon as Brutus spotted Adam he motioned for his woman to go get something to drink as Brutus went to stand near Bronk.

"It's not often I have to say this but earlier I did you wrong. You were just trying to be helpful and I acted like a total jerk. Comes with being locked up for five years. Anyway man....I'm sorry. I hope there's no bad blood between us."

 Adam  looked up and  half-smiled,I don't remember a slight? And some of the folk i talked to either took me as well meaning..or over bearing.. he chuckles a bit as he sips  some soda,I am thinking, they are both  right...stiill? nothing to worry on..we're all Dragons here...some of the others might not be in a couple  weeks...but that will be  as it will be...I did the same thing in BC...did  the same thing In Japan when i played  for Sims there for half a season....

  He offered his hand,lots of us here, have some  sort of Prejucice leveled  at us...Mine? I am a smallish white guy..there  might be 5 or 6  guys on the team that fit the mold..the rest...well the rest of us are Dragons...and we are tossing that mold away..

  Looking  around  Tibbs's shoulder he sees the LAdy,  and I am thinking, you have something that will help you through all this...Besides..I don't  waste tips  on those i don't  think will make it..

  As Jo   and Alice  went out  on the Floor, a few of  the photogs turned thier camaras  that way..some eager reporter began to close in on them....

 Adam and Tibbs  were talking, when Adam caught the flash of Camaras abd the overeager reporter ..he gave Tibbs  a tap  on the chest and  said, be right back.....

 The  Photog said, Miss Black..Miss Black...can you tell me what its like.....

  The smallish  Wideout grabbed the fllow  by the arm, a gentle twist made him sqeak like a little girl. ..what's it like  to be battling for the starting  Job on the Dragons? Well..Let me  tell you...heck..I could  talk all day..."  he pushed the   reporter towards  a Blacktunic Security Guard.

  The Guard  took the hapless fellow away, and Adam glared at the Photogs  for the Inquier...they followed the reporter out the door...

  He  went back to the Table  and nodded to Jo  and Alice, enjoy the  night, Ladies...

Kat grinned, resting her head on his shoulder, and just enjoying being off the field for a bit. It was nice to be having some fun, for a change. She smiled as the song played. She looked up at James, about to ask him something when...



Kat blinked, then smiled, hesitantly taking the pen and paper. She signed her name and number in neat cursive writing. She smiled again and handed it back to Emma. She knew who the woman was before she introduced herself. Inside, Kat was star struck, outwardly, she smiled and nodded.

"That sounds really great. I did acting when I was little, but, uh, then I had other plans, haha. I'll get on my agent about the show. And thanks, the Dragons are definitely gonna want everyone on board..."

Kat watched as the TV show star walked away before looking back at James and letting out an excited sound that could be best summed up by the word "squee". She took a breath, then focused back in on James.

"So, before that happened, I was just about to ask you what Jacksonville was like during your rookie year?"

Kat heard the music start for the next slow dance and moved James to a spot away from the crowd not dancing, so hopefully they wouldn't be interrupted before James could tell his story...

James took a relaxed breath, enjoying what almost lasted a moment before she apparently saw someone coming and lifted her head.  Damn.  He tried to offer the woman a polite smile as she asked for Kat's autograph.  Thus far he'd had no solicitors.  After the Kat barely managed to contain her excitement, he offered a raise of the eyebrows.  "Looks like you won't be having a whole lot of time on your hands.  Two ad campaigns and a TV spot?  You may have already been offered more endorsements than I have in the last decade.  Not bad, especially for a kicker.  When I was here last time there wasn't a whole lot to talk about.  I was a second string receiver and spent most of my time at practice."

  The dances  continued..people  talked to players, some  were fans..some where  folks looking for a player to hawk thier wares.  Adam leaned againts the standup Table with his  drink, wtaching Tibbs move out onto the floor with his lady.

  LA Roi was talking to  one of the Dragonettes, but she seemed only have interested  in what he  was saying.

  Sawyer  watched from a few feet away, The Star photog was getting pics of   anyone who was with, near, or loooked like a dargon...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:08, Tue 29 June 2010.

Mikwas enjoying himself dancing and just being part of a team again, he'd missed the team spirit and bonding that went on over the few months he'd been out of things and he was glad to see that things were picking up here.

As he glanced around the room he spotted quite a few of his new teammates chatting or dancing with one another and everyone seemed to be having a good time. He thought about how the beat of the music echoed the beat of his heart when he was running for a touchdown and laughed a little whilst he let the music carry him around the floor with his partner.

Carlos was enjoying himself chatting to some of the Dragons and Dragonettes, he was taking things easy on the drinking front after he'd had an early one to settle his nerves. He looked relaxed and was thinking about how different the vibe was from the Texans to here - both on the field and off it - when one of the girls asked for a dance, "No problem ma'am, let's go show them how it's done." He winked at the girl and led her onto the dance floor.

Kat nodded. She hoped the attention she was receiving wasn't making him uncomfortable, or worse, making him think she was entitled. She wasn't! At least, she didn't think so. Kat was still going to go out and practice just as hard as everyone else. And try to win games.

'Enough...' Kat shook her head to clear the thoughts and smiled back at James. 'Please don't hate me, please don't hate me...'

"So, what do you think about this season? Ready to earn all of your endorsements? And...stuff?"

Outside of bigger contracts and endorsements, Kat wasn't really sure what one got if a team and/or individual was successful...

  The  music kept a mix of techno, 80's, a slow  song  thrown in now  and again...every now t and then the singer would  announce  someone asked for a Country song, and they would play it. When they took a  break a DJ  took care of the Music.

  Suit's ( and Dresses) made thier  way through the crowds. offeringCards  with Phone numbers  after a very breif pitch. They knew the Amota's had been gracious to allow them in, to have access to the whole of the team..so they did not press thier luck.

  With  the club section full, hundreds of  bodies walking, talking and  dancing, Adam slipped off to a sitdown  table near the Bar. One  or  Two people  would say hello or give him  a nod. But they would  contimue on thier  way.

 Ivan   and some Dragons, as well a a few of the Field staff  sat at a bigger  table Laughing and telling  stories.

  Payne was shaking  hands with a couple of suits and they left  with smiles on thier faces. Worth seemed to be unwinding  quite  well with ladies on the floor.

  Stalls , Mackins  and Simmons were at the far end, talking with some other Dragons and seemed to be having a grand  time as well.

  Steele was beset by a handful of  folks in suits. Introducing themselves and hawking thier products...Ping was there fro golf clubs...Levis for  Jeans(..wanted to get rid of the old guy and bring in a fresh face)..cambells soup...a few others..of course..some of the lady's  cards where just phone numbers, that they slipped into his hand  with a wink.

   James took this  all in, like a kid in the Candy Store...he had forgotten about Alexia as she was taken aside by a cosmetics ad person, after the woman left..Alexia  was cut off  from the would be Number one

  Sawyer appeared by Adam's  Table. She  saw his eyes  sweeping the room and giggled abit,keeping watch over you friends?

  Adam  frowned, then half-smiled,naw...just making sure no idiots ruin  good  party...

  So? You are a Bouncer as  well? she  smiled at bit  more.

  I was  for about  5 months in Japan. At Yuto's  first Club...that's  when i played  half a season for Sims on the Tigers...doesn't hurt to have extra talents...

 ...and..if your teammates do not  want your interferance?

  all they have to do is say so...and thier on thier own...everyone here are big boys  and girls...doesn't hurt to have a friend watching though...

  She sat at the Table across from Adam and said,..and you?

  He shrugged,  things  turn bad on the filed or off..I should think there might be one or two who would help...if not? well..I didn't get up here because i didn't know  how to take care of myself...

  Sawyer leaned  a bit closer,does that explain what happened to the man in Pittsburgh?

 Adam's eyes narrowed, he slammed his frosted  mug on the table,now why...why would you have to bring  that up? You talk to Yuto...or Nilie..if they aren't  talking, niether am I...and...it has no bearing on playing  ball...

  Sawyer's eyebrow raised she looked hurt for a moment,it is  a big story...something that will come out  as you earn your name..don't you think?

  he shook his head,me? earn my name...maybe...but that's  a long  way off..now...Miss Sawyer...perhaps you would be better served talking to Kat, or Steele..they are going to be the faces of this  team...Or Jo..should she take the top spot..heck...even if she makes  number  2 she will be one the  filed alot..Sims keeps folks frsh...

  Cindy  stood up ans nodded,perhaps I shall...but..you'll see me again..this is my Turf to work...  she smiled a bit  wanly and moves through the  crowd once more.

James shook his head st the question.  "I'm not expecting any.  Despite the public policy of giving every player the same chance, they picked their team well before the first practice.  They lined Adam up to be the star receiver before even looking at us, and a team's second receiver doesn't get endorsement offers, not real ones at least.  Like most of the supporting cast, I get a little extra money if we make it to the playoffs, but I'm not counting on that."  He offered a weak smile.  Perhaps it wasn't fair to tell a rookie that his or her team just wasn't good enough, but better to find out now than when your team is seven and nine at the end of the season.

  The tall man made his way through the  crowd. He saw Sawyer leaving Adam's  Table and aproached him. The Former  Jag  had a couple of  cards in his pcoket, mostly from Local places that have used him  or other Jags  before.

 He Looked down at the  smallish WR and said,got a miniute?

 Sure..have  a seat... he motioned to the chair Sawyer just quit.

 La Roi  put his  Mug of  beer  down on the  table  , his  eyes moved to Adam's  as the man took a sip of his  Coke.Soda?  Really?

 Bronk  laughed  a bit,yep...gave  up drinking  my senior  year in college...probably helped me  down the line...

  I have a question...answer me straight up...no bull?

  Sure, if  I can......

 how is it..you come in here..out of  nowhere..and ...just play..Just like that?

  Adam shook his head as he  leaned  both elbows on the table,See now..that's where  people like you..make people like  me..very very angry. I did not  come  from nowhere...I had to fight tooth and Nail to get playing time in highschool...and when it looked like I might have a chance for a ride? I end Up QBing the last half of the season...no stats...no offers..not  for a guy like me..Coal Miner's  son...then..I get a break..friend of a Coach needs a wideout..so I get to go to D3 and play there...again..fight my way through each practice, just so I can get on the field...'bout the  time that happens QBs  go down like clay pidgeons and there i am with the ball again..we go to the playoffs..and the  Number one comes  back to finish his carreer in the big game...again?  No stats...No draft..no free agent..Go to Japan  with My friend...play 1/2 season for Sims..come back here..get one season with  the BC Lions...and Now i am here..

 You know  the owner..You know the Coach...

 I knew the Owner's  son..we went to school together..even taught him to play ball..he taught me to study..Sims? I cost him two D3 championships..the first one..I took out his star Linebacker..rumored to go in the first 10 picks that year..without him, his defense got crushed the following week...the second  time, the next year..I  threw a TD to Yuto, before the Number one  came  back..we beat them by 9...that's..why i am here...

 you trying  to tell me, What? You don;t  have connections?

 Adam laughed  and shook his head, his eyes held  contempt. but  not  for La Roi...but for the question,if i would go out there...and mail in my routes, drop balls, Miss or  fail to make blocks? I would be out of here faster then anyone else...but..the thing is...I have a lot to prove...all of us do...and  anyone  who can't grasp that, or doesn't buy into it? Well they won't  be here  long enough  to be bothered with..I have  always been Hungry...I  will go out  everyplay , no matter what...as if the season depended on it...and the DBs..well..the good ones  will break down by the  4th quarter..the bad ones will  be glad when the game is over...were you ever hungry?

 La roi thought  for a moment,no..not like you..some guys think you are nuts,,

 Adam Nods,I am...and so are most of the folks here..I read in Sporting news, That some one picked us  to finish last in the league..to go 0 and 16...One guy picked us  for 8 and 8...and one guy? Picked us to win the division at 10 and 7...Me? I do not like the thought of losing  7 games

  The tall man takes a deep pull on his  drink, then looks at Bronk, asking,You think i will make the club?

  Adam sat back and studied the man's  face, he saw no jest or sarcasim there so he answered,You'll need to learn the route tree....You need to suck it up going across the middle..right now? You just plain suck...and..you have to catch the damn ball...our job has many responsiblities..the biggest one...is catch the damn ball..Look at the other Guys..Mackins  and Simmons, they can catch almost as good  as me...Mackins  has speed..he is third  in our  group behind me and you..Simmons  can ran routes  as good  as any here..and gerhart has a chance...now?  That is only if there aren't  any more free agents  coming in...we don't know who will be showing up at Camp...and we have the Mandatory  minicamp in less then a month..But i will tell you straight up..had you not redid your contract? You would  either be elsewhere..or on the street...Sims thinks  he can use your speed...and gives us two deep threats..but man..You have to catch the damn ball...

  La Roi nodded slowly...at first he was growing angered...but he saw Adam was just laying out the cards...so..you practice or something to catch like that?

   Adam Tilted his head,Tomorrow at 7...I will be at the be  at the stadium...if you want to get better..you are going to have to work on it...your Big Ten school...Your 2 years in the league...your  quad A highschool...doesn't mean a thing with Sims...

 Givens  stood Up  and  nodded,7...tomorrow...i'll be there...  he half-smiled  and moved off..Adam shrugged  and leaned back into his chair  once more.

  as the night  wore on, several  folks got a few offers,........

  Mik was asked about doing Yukon Jack ads and some ads fro Canada as far as vacation spots.

  Ivan was asked to help promote a string of Gyms in the area that were popular in the Southeast.

  Alexia was asked  to see if her and the dragoneetes, or at least a few of them, could do augographs at a Nascar race, and to have them do a "pep ralley"  at the Amota  MAll the night before the Home Opener. She  was also approached by Vitoria Secerts.

  Steele could not  seem to get enough of the attention, and  a few of the suits steered himm into the Dinning area to talk over some deals.

  La Roi was asked to promote a Jewerly Store  Chain in Jacksonville  and New JAcksonville, and SunCoast whats him to hawk thier  sunglasses

  Mackins  and Simmons along  with Stalls are to do some spots  for a local Pizza  chain

  Payne is doing  Underarmor  spots, and a spot or  two or a local Chevy dealer

  Worth and Tibbs  were asked to do some Bigbrother  spots and  some spots for local Law enforcement

  Jo was asked to promote some spas and Health Clubs  that are geared  more to woman

   Kat had hers as well and is also offered  an Underarmor spot ( they may try to work both her and PAyne together)

  All this  on this one night, as folks grasp  at the shining  star that is  the Dragons...it can only get better?

  as the Night  wore on. Some locval Newspaper  folks  for the Old  JAcksonville  paper, as well as the New JAcksonville Press..plied the layers  with questions..One question asked  to each player"...how  do you think yuou will finish?"

  Adam:..."..I  think..at  very worst we finish in the top 16 in the league...i honestly feel we can grab a wild card  spot..or better...If our Defense can be molded into  Lewis's relenteless attacks, our oppenants  will have  no rest..either side of the ball..."

  Steele: ( while he was at dinner with some of the promtors)"..Me? I am thinkng the worse we can be is 8 and 8..that was  a wildCard last year..but i think we can do better..."

 Worth: "..the sky is the limit...no one is going to be prepared  for what is coming..."

  Payne:"...we will be  brining it  from both sides of the ball..no where to hide..."

 Ivan: "..I think you guys are just going to have to watch...Dragons are nasty creatures..."

((  the  other players may add thier own answers  as they wish))

Mik grinned at the question and remembered one of his favourite quotes, "Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time." He grinned at the semi-confused face of the reporter and turned away on his well-turned calves back towards the dancefloor.

Carlos was stopped and asked the question on his way back from the bar with a drink for one of the ladies he'd been chatting to - apparently she was a singer in a local band and he was interested in finding out more.

He looked at the reporter a moment before he answered, "I think we can have a winning season right out the gate, sir. To be honest after the Texans cut me I knew where I had to come to win and prove myself. The Dragons are here and we'll make our mark together, with our touchdown passes, big runners, accurate kickers, and of course 'Crunch'-ing tacklers." he gives the guy a wink and saunters off to the corner table to learn more about his new friend.

  The  writers were taking it all in, Looking  for something to grab the readers...positive or negative.

  When Smokey Arnest, the Punter was asked, he looked at the fellow  with sleepy eyes  and smiled,  I think i will have the easiest job on the  team..don't  see me being used much...

  Gerhart had to take a step or two back, From Kat as the reporters  and photogs  gathered around the Kicker asking questions  and taking  thier shots.

 Perhaps it was his being cycincal, perhaps , the  fact that  he was well into his carrer and was seeing new people get attention he could never have.

 He Saw LA Roi speaking  with Adam, two fellows  who didn't get along, but were seemingly bridging the gap.

  Scowling As he  saw Steele  swept  away by those after him, and Alexia being approached by still more...he couldn't understand...perhaps, couldn't  except the fact, most of those here Believed...those  that didn't  were slowly being won over..the  few that were not? Well...just ask the DB who leveled Kat...or the OT who held out...

 Turning  and  pushing his way through the  crowd, the angry fellow went to his  car  and Drove away..he didn't really understand himself, whether he was angry  at those who thought  were deluded, or angry at himself...for being unable to join i that feeling.....

  None  really noticed him leave, save for Adam, who watched most of the happenings from his  table. He shrugged and sipped his  coke smiling  at those who came by and acknowledged him, and enjoying the growth of what Nilie said is  "the Dragon Spirit"

Mik looked at his watch and saw it was getting late, so he gave his number to the woman he'd been dancing with and told her, "If you ever want to grab some food or anything - give me a call, eh. I need to get going, there's still a lot of training to do tomorrow."

Then he kissed the back of her hand and left the room, got on his bike, and headed to his apartment to grab some sleep whilst he could.

Carlos was enjoying himself on the dancefloor but he saw a few people including Mik start to leave. He decided that he'd better join them if he wanted to get a place on the team, so he reluctantly pulled the young singer over to one side, "Sorry hun but I need to go or I'll be in no shape for training tomorrow. I had a great time though and I'd love to see you again, perhaps you'll come watch us train tomorrow?"

She tossed her hair and gave him an appraising look before breaking out into a wide smile, "Sure will. You just make sure that you make it up to me for leaving early, 'kay?" Then she rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Night dear" she said and then headed for the exit.

Wow, he thought, that girl really knows how to make an exit, as his eyes followed her swaying figure all the way across the room. Then he too left the building.

  The  Bar  was Quiet. It was a Monday, and anly a few regulars  were coming in, most headed to the dining room, but a band  was setting up..there  would  be Muisc around 8:00.

  Tvan  sat at the bar  with a Beer in his hand  reading the Newspaper a Few  folks  walking by.

  In a booth a few yards  away was Salcido eating  some  Chips  with his beer and reading a magazine.

  all of the above posts would have  happened a few days  ago...this is Wedensday, Three about a week before the Dragon's  first ever, Preseaon game, at Home  , against the Dolphins.