Playing Aces

[katerina]

It was early enough that it was still cool in the hot summer weather. It was a nice day and Kat had chosen it to take Ace out into the park. The massive husky, German shepherd mix danced on the leash trying to run and explore. She chuckled as they reached a big grassy hill and carefully she unclipped the leash. She watched as the black and gray dog run up the hill then double back hitting his chest into the typical doggy play position. Grinning she pulled a tennis ball out of her pocket and lobbed it out as far as she could.

She watched as the mutt took off after it and she laid down into the cool morning grass and sighed very contently. Her crimson hair pooled about her and she rested a hand over her eyes enjoying the feeling of the world. Then she winced as a paw landed on her rib cage and pressed down. She opened her eyes and removed her hand to stare up at the panting face of her mutt. She glanced over and saw the ball sitting on the ground beside her. She picked it up and sat up before tossing it again watching him take off.

She licked her lips and glanced up at the path he took before bounding back. She patted the grass beside her before lying down again. “Let’s take it easy here Ace” she called out softly. Eyes closed again as she ruffled his ears when he approached and dropped down to lay beside her. He was large even for his respective breed combination. She sighed and looked up to the sky watching clouds in the distance. “Hope it rains.” She said softly and she shook her head slowly, “I miss the rain.” She whispered out so softly it was hard to hear anywhere at a distance.

[luckycricket]

The morning was calm as Drake woke up at his house. The sun was shining through his blinds and the day was just starting to get hot. He figured he'd make it out to the park before it go extremely hot. So, he hurried and got dressed and grabbed his skateboard. He rode his skateboard to the park and then did a few laps around. Popping tricks here and there trying to impress people that were around. He smirked as he saw a cute girl and her dog playing together. He wasn't going to directly go up to her right away. He was gonna let her come to him.

You see, Drake is a serious flirt on times and loves to try and be "smooth" around the ladies. Flirting is definitely his thing and sometimes he seems to be the master of it. This time though, he was going to flirt a different way...by showing off right in front of the girl. He skated to the other side of the park where she could see him clearly and he popped a jump, but couldn't land it. He was thrown off balance and had to stop himself from landing head first on the ground with his hands. He got up and sighed, Crap! Great way to impress a girl. He thought somewhat angered.

He got up quickly though and tried it again. This time he nailed it perfectly. His dark black air soared in the air as he did and then layed back down on his face perfectly. He thought he was cute to most girls and even more cute for some of the more emo girls. He usually had a pair of tight pants on with his hair black and angled all in his face. He thought of himself of the big shot around places, but he's found out different sometimes. He skated on the path closer to her and skated past her. He sat on a bench not too far from her and then rested, sitting his skateboard on the concrete path.

[katerina]

Kat was half asleep soaking up rays when Ace gave a bark watching the guy skate past. She opened a blue eye to glance at the dog before sitting up to watch what he was. She rose a brow as she noticed him, however discreetly, trying to keep an eye on her. An amused chuckle came from her as she glanced to Ace. “What don’t like it when the boys look at me or something?” she teased the canine but something happened in that moment she could hear it. Head jerked around a bit too quickly and red hair fell into her face the clatter of a falling skateboard worrying her, she wouldn’t wish ill of anybody.

Hand made quick work of brushing back her hair in time to see him on his hands and knees before he was up again and trying it again. Eyes showed a bit of confusion as he landed it glad he wasn’t hurt but she needed to make sure, she couldn’t help herself and she knew if she blew the poor guy off for that his pride would be severely damaged. She knew the male ego was sensitive so when he sat down she stood carefully an grabbed Ace’s ball and leash. Hand gripped tightly around the leash wondering what I in the world her excuse was going to be fore joining him.

Blue eyes searched for a reason as she wandered towards him without really thinking it through fully, she wasn’t so hot at flirting but she could try. Her mind stopped on seeing if he had hurt himself but trying not to be too rude about it. She wasn’t smug about it and she had a feeling, if he was paying attention to his board and not a girl he could have landed it fine, “Call me crazy but that looked a bit painful.” She said as she approached.

Ace had been watching suddenly bounded up to join her side making her jump as his fuzzy body bumped her and her sniffed at the boy rather rudely without any anger or reserve. His imposing looks seemed to be just that, looks. “You alright that spill did look pretty nasty?” She asked with honest concern as she grabbed Ace’s collar and dragged him back far enough to not be pushing his nose into Drake’s stomach.

[luckycricket]

Drake looked over at the girl now and then and then saw her actually get up. She seemed to be heading his way and he smirked to himself a little bit. He could see her slightly worried expression about his fall. He hadn't planned to make himself look like a fool or even make the fall look like it hurt. To him, it really didn't. It was normal for him to fall on his hands and knees and he found himself doing it quite often when he would try new or more dangerous tricks. It was all part of the sport of skateboarding. You fall, get hurt, but get right back up. This came with pretty much any sport and Drake was ready for it.

Drake soon noticed that she had a huge dog with her. The dog seemed to be some sort of husky mix. He also seemed very protective of the girl, more like a guard dog. Drake liked animals and really liked dogs, so it was okay to be around such a big one. In fact, when he was a young kid, they had a purebred husky of their own who used to run around and chase various little animals. The dog was often getting in trouble, but Drake loved to play around with him.

Drake looked at his board for a moment before looking towards the girl who was now right in front of him. Black hair was pushed to the side as Drake looked up at the girl. He listened and laughed a little bit at her comment. Nah, I fall like that all the time. I've gotten used to it. Thanks for asking though. He smiled some and then looked towards the dog who was approaching fast. He soon felt hte dog push up into his lap. Drake laughed a little and offered his hand out for the dog to sniff, being careful not to get bitten on hurt. He didn't want to immediately pet it because he wasn't sure what it was going to do.

Drake smiled a little bit more as the girl asked one last time if he was alright. He nodded and then said, Yes, I'm fine, don't worry. He patted the seat next to him and then said, Want to sit? He looked up to her for a moment before he stood. He offered his hand for a simple greeting, Hi...I'm Drake, by the way. Drake was a little dirty from falling onto the ground, but he didn't make any attempts to clean off and make himself look even more stupid in front of this cute girl. That was the last thing he needed...more embarrassment.

[katerina]

Kat relaxed hearing he was ok. She knew skateboarders fell all the time but still it was a worrying thing when you watched it happen. She had heard stories of people breaking multiple bones from one fall of a skateboard, part of the reason she didn’t get on them. She tugged Ace’s collar again and pushed his hinds down. “Sit.” She said firmly, he did and eyed her expectantly. She rolled her eyes and handed him the ball watching as he flopped down and took to chewing.

Sighing she relaxed and when he introduced himself she accepted the hand. Her own was lean and slender. She shook it slowly and nodded. “I am Katarina. People call me Kat, and this big push over, she nodded to the dog, is Ace.” She looked a little cautious but took the offered seat beside him. “No worries would rather make sure you didn’t need some sort of emergency care, hell for all I knew you had broken something.” She shrugged clearly more paranoid about skateboards then most. She grinned a bit sheepishly and watched Ace toy with that ball trying to be casual, heck he was cute and she could make some sorry attempt at flirting.


Then Ace gave a gruff wuff and placed the ball into her lap. She picked it up and lobbed it off into the open meadow watching Ace tear off after it. “So are you a horse rider? Or just a skater?” she asked trying to make conversation. After all there were two kinds of people in this town, those who rode horses, and those who didn’t. She ran her fingers through that flaming red hair and turned her blue eyes towards him honestly curious. The ball hit her lap again and she looked to the expectant Ace with a little grin before lobbing it once more her clear blue eyes following his progress.

[luckycricket]

Drake saw Kat relax and he smiled up at her sweetly, not afraid to have a little fun flirting. He watched Ace obey his owner's commands and then stare at her and the ball expectantly. He reminded Drake of what Max, the husky, used to be like. Max would always want to play no matter what you we're doing. He would rarely ever sleep, but when he did the house and yard was much more peaceful and relaxing. It was funny how one dog could make so much difference in how active a stable yard seem. Drake smiled down at Ace as he soon started to chew on his ball, seeming content enough with just that to play with for now.

Drake shook her hand slowly, but soon let go and then sat back down. He was happy that she actually did stay to talk to him because she seemed interesting to be around. He really didn't know that many people around town anyway and it was always good to get to know them. This was a start along with the guy who Drake beat up, but that really didn't count because for one, he was an enemie and for two Drake had known him very well since high school. He was slightly upset about what he did, but he needed and wanted revenge. For all of those years that he couldn't control his hand very well, it angered him.

Drake laughed some at the last part of her comment about him possibly breaking a bone. Well, I actually have broken a few different bones from this, but I just get back out there all the sooner. He smiled at her and then laughed a little more when he saw her grin. She obviously wasn't like him in the respect of flirting. Not many people were like him though. He was a TV star, but mainly was recognized by younger kids and not older adults like the ones he was meeting. Not many adults came up to him and mentioned anything about the "Drake and Josh" show on Nick. It just wasn't done. His star life was actually slowing down and he was happy about that.

Drake watched Kat throw the dog's ball and then turned his attention to her as she spoke. When I was younger, I used to ride a lot, but I haven't been riding lately....more just skateboarding now. I also play guitar and drums. He sighed sort of frustrated that he didn't think to bring his secret charmer. Yes, for Drake, everything was about charming a girl into liking him...it was just the way he worked.

[katerina]

Kat nodded slowly. “Sounds almost as dangerous as riding horses but you seem to have my philosophy in that respect.” Kat smiled and chuckled as Ace came powering back and couldn’t stop in time so he skittered and ran smack into one of Drakes legs, a little too excited it seemed. He glanced up as if confused about it and then dropped the ball expectantly into Drakes lap. “He likes you.” She mused as if a little surprised. “He is usually a bit overprotective. I guess you’re a dog person.” She said with a little half grin.

It was true she watched little TV but he did look a bit familiar. She just shrugged it off that she had seen him around town and left it at that. She really didn’t have time for much TV what with the riding and the shelter. She just didn’t find it all that entertaining compared to being on the back of Stray Cat Strut her brindle Thoroughbred mare. She smiled at the mental image of her baby out romping in the pastures enjoying her freedom then snapped back onto her proper mental train, she couldn’t help it getting derailed every once in a while.

His talk of not riding much made her shrug. “Ah well was just going to say that was where I spent most of my time.” His charm wasn’t working as well as she thought but her attempts at flirting were not refined as his. She knew all too well she was not that skilled at flirting but didn’t mean she wouldn’t try every once and a while. It took a bit of effort and thought but she could pass for ok.

“Then again I guess skateboards are safer. I mean they won’t kick you if you piss them off. And they won’t refuse to do something because they’re in a bad mood.” It was almost a challenge but she rolled it off nonchalantly and grinned at Ace watching him try and convince drake to throw the ball. “You know he will never leave you alone if you don’t throw it… he will follow you home and there isn’t much I can do to stop him.

[luckycricket]

Drake smiled some her way and then added to her comment. I do huh? Well, we at least have one thing in common. He laughed at himself and what he had just said. He smirked some towards her and then watched as Ace came barreling along. Drake knew with in a few seconds that the husky mix wasn't going to be able to slow all of himself down. So, Drake got ready for the worst. He watched as Ace slid and tried to slow down, but knocked into Drake's leg. His leg sort of bent back in an odd position and was a little bit sore afterwards, but he would live. Drake tried to conceal the fact that his knee had just been bent too far and was slightly pulled, but to no avail.

Drake looked over at Kat as she told him he must've been a dog person. Oh yes, I am. We had a purebred husky back at home and I used to play with him all the time. Ace reminds me a lot of him. That was years ago and Max had sadly died of old age. Drake was starting to get warmed up now and tried to flirt every chance he got. He wasn't sure if it was going to work or not, but he'd might as well try. He looked over at her and then back at Ace. Let's see...that's two things in common. He said playfully, Want to tell me anything else about you that we might have in common? He laughed at his own flirtaciousness and then waited to throw the ball some. He wanted to talk right now...not play with a dog.

Drake soon started to get curious, maybe he should start taking riding up again. It would be nice...not to mention some cute girls including Kat would be there. He sighed and thought the idea over before Kat's voice interrupted him. Well, I might just have to take riding back up then. He winked her way and then looked back at ace who was still giving him the "please play with me look." Drake heard her comment about the horse's giving you fits and soon he had a reply back. Oh, I don't know...those skateboards can have a mind of their own sometimes. They just never cooperate when you want to do a trick. He laughed...this time he was being more funny than anything.

Drake looked at Ace who still had pleading eyes. He had heard what Kat had said and then laughed some. Well, I guess he's going home with me tonight. He laughed a little more and then finally threw the ball. Drake watched Ace run off happily chasing the ball. They'd have some peace and quiet for at least a few moments. He loved to joke around with people. He was almost never serious unless he absolutely had to be. Drake smiled over at Kat and then watched Ace finally catch the ball.

(yea...so some corny come backs/flirting in here, but it kept me going let alone laughing my a$$ off.)

[katerina]

Kat gave a small grin at him and shook her head a bit. “Alright one thing so far we have in common.” When he responded to the dog comment she chuckled and nodded watching Ace dance uncomfortably before them as if confused why no one was keeping up his game. It was driving the poor guy nuts. Being only a year old he still had far more energy than it seemed possible. His tail lashed the air like a black spike, more shepherd then husky there for it did not curl. Those sharp blue eyes, almost matching Kat’s own, looked utterly mortified as they chatted away and ignored him. Finally he gave a bark and then Drake threw his ball and he was gone.

Kat watched him take off. “Yes both dog people. I agree another thing.” She couldn’t exactly deny that one seeing as Ace was with her. She rubbed her head glancing to him and actually meeting his eyes. She turned away turning the slightest bit pink, what was she thinking she was no good at this. When he spoke of taking up riding again she nodded. “The riding instructors at the local stable are rather well known for their teaching, that’s why my parents chose here and nowhere else.” She unintentionally let on she was really new in town.

His comments on the skateboard being unruly made her fall into a fit of giggles and she paused and held up a finger to excuse herself. Finally composeing herself she shook her head. “How can that little piece of wood have a mind of its own in compared to horses. I mean most people can’t even stand up on that. Least a horse you can sit down.” Once more she gave away more then intended when one listened. She had just admitted she was horrid at skateboard. She paused as a ball hit her lap having forgotten about Ace for a moment. She stared at him then turned herself and chucked the ball as hard as she could into the lake, Ace dove in without a second thought.

“I mean heck if you can’t convince a bit of wood to do your bidding you probably shouldn’t play with horse. It’s like asking for disaster.” She teased out clearly in good fun. “I mean seeing your fall from grace off a skateboard I wonder if you could be so graceful off of a horse.” Oh now she was being a bit mean but it was all in the name of good fun not wanting to offend him. If she did she would apologies and make it up to him but for now she was happy just teasing this new friend.

[Liz]

Drake watched Ace dance around and then take off as he finally threw it. Drake probably should've thrown it a lot earlier than he had, but it was all in good fun. It was quite cute to see Ace dance around. His bark was quite an attention getter, but Drake was in the process of throwing it as Ace had barked so it was counteractive. Either way, Drake would remind himself to throw a little soon so he didn't get Ace barking and disturbing the peace again. Drake watched as Ace ran and got the ball. He was fun to just watch let alone actually play with. It was these types of things that brought Drake's memories of Max back. He wasn't going to get all soppy though. It just wasn't him.

Drake saw her eyes actually contact his for a moment as she commented about have the dog experience in common. He smiled when she turned away and he could just barely see the starts of a blush. She was cute normally, but even cuter when she blushed. He acted like he didn't see, looking towards Ace to see that he was coming back. At least, he was having some effect on her, whether it was good or bad. He heard her comment about the trainers at the barn and he nodded. That would be a good thing to keep in mind. Hmm...He pondered out loud, I should probably look into riding there. Or at least getting another horse and board there. I could see you more often. Drake smirked a little bit once again trying to flirt with her. Drake just barely caught on that she was new and then he got some thoughts. He could possibly give her a tour of the town if she needed one.

Drake's jaw dropped as he heard her comments. He soon found himself in a fit of laughter too. His voice was deeper and so was his laugh, but he couldn't help himself. He had left himself open for some teasing like that and he should've known better. It was all in good fun though. So, he thought of something he could say back, Well, ya know it has a little computer chip in the front and thinks for itself, decides when it doesn't want you to look all the good. Like it did for me in front of you earlier. Drake laughed at how that came out, but if she was going to make fun, he could too, make fun of himself that way. He waited until after she threw the ball for Ace again to contemplate what to say next.

Drake had finally settled down before he was in laughter fits again. She was way too funny and it was cool, because he was always joking with people. He became totally serious before saying, You know...I probably shouldn't ride horses. Seeing as how wreckless I can be with skateboards, but once again. If I fall off, and fall off gracefully for that matter, I'll get right back on. And if I didn't ride, I don't know where else I'd be able to hang with you. Drake smirked. He was trying to be funny and smooth at the same time, always being a little over zealous, but that's just how he was...Welcome to Drake's world.

[katerina]

Kat snickered at him and nodded. “So you have the money to pick up a horse at the drop of a hat and take up riding? I warn you its expensive. Something that takes a lot of time and money. Such as you would be stuck at the stables for a good part of most days.” She noted calmly smirking at him. “You might have to give up that little wooden board all together. However if your looking for a good horse… and actually serious. I have seen a few in town I could recommend. Some of them are just your type. Hard and dumb as wood.” She grinned broadly and shot him a wink trying desperately to flirt. He was a bit fake but it was endearing. She liked his presence, he was easier then the others she had met, he took it all at face value it seemed.

“And I didn’t know that. I am amazed by how they work. I best never get on one again it might throw me into the lake or something.” She snickered nodding to his board. Speaking of lake she winced as ace dropped the sopping ball right onto her jeans and she cringed again, bad idea. Ace shook next showering them both in a shower of lake water, really bad idea. She chucked the ball off to the hill so he could shake off over there and glowered at the wet patch on her right leg. “Well that was one of the stupider ideas I have had” She muttered more to herself then him.

However his comment of his not riding made her break into another fit of giggles and she forced herself to compose her face. “Yes it would be a horrid thing. Without you there who will make me laugh?” She said but lost her composure just imagining a horse shaking him off and him landing in the sand as he had with the skateboard. “I mean heck if a computer chip did that then what can a real flesh and blood animal do?” She scowled at him still trying to keep composed but the smile forced itself on her tugging at the corner of her cheeks making her lose her composure into a fit of giggles again. “Sorry.” She admitted.

[luckycricket]

Drake laughed some and then went on to explain how much he rode when he was younger. He didn't take any of her comments as offensive, but he just wanted to be serious for a few moments. Well, my parents still own the farm we were on when I was younger and I think they even have some of the younger horses there still. So, I wouldn't be picking it up on the fancy of a whim. At her next comment, Drake burst out laughing, Actually my old friesian, Soldier, was a very smart horse, thank you. He smiled over her way and then laughed a little bit. He was finding this fun and very entertaining to do.

Drake laughed again and then responded with, Oh, yea...it might just do that. You never know. This was a completely sarcastic conversation with the few serious moments here and there. He soon saw her wink and he smiled brightly back. She was trying to flirt and that was all that mattered. Her insults were nothing, but funny and her flirtyness needed work, but all in all she was a cool girl. If they were just friends, he wouldn't mind, but if they turned out to be more...than so be it. He watched Ace come back sopping wet and laughed a little when he shook and it got all over them. It was something he was used to after giving Max a bath sometimes. He wiped off some water from his arm and then he turned his attention back to the conversation.

Drake started to laugh really hard again at all of her funny comments. He liked out she liked to twist things around and make them work in her favor and make him look bad. Yes, he liked to make himself look good, but he could laugh at himself once in a while right? Besides, most of this was all in good fun. Drake smiled and then smirked, You never know...I might be better than you think and then you probably wouldn't laugh. He raised a brow and then said, Ever think of that idea? After he had gotten composed again, he heard her last comment and once again started laughing...hard. He got himself together again and then nodded, You don't have to say you're sorry...I set myself up for it. He smiled lightly her way and then watched Ace come running with his ball.

[katerina]

Kat eyed drake a moment and then chuckled as she watched ace come back and seem to decide he was done. He flopped onto her sandals, soaking them and her feet, and took to chewing on it. “Clearly my choice in dogs is a little slow minded though. I forget how big he is at times.” She withdrew her feet and set them on Ace, pushing her knees up a little and the dog didn’t seem to mind, just grunted and continued on. She eyed drake again and nodded a little.

“I like Frisians. Beautiful horses, smart as anything too.” She said smiling at the thought. “My buddy back in Seattle owned a Frissy… well she called him that because he is the first gay horse I had ever met.” She chuckled at the thought and glanced to Drake expecting a rather odd expression so she continued not registering it yet. “He would be put with a mare in heat and nothing I swear to god. Just look at her like he wanted to leave. Put him in the pen with the geldings and the other stallions and he went wild. So they kept him in the pasture where they kept their mares.”

She laughed a bit and then nodded. “As for your riding I will have to put that to the test. A trail ride sometime. Just you and me and you will show me you have the skills necessary to boast like you are. I will believe you when I see you. So what do you say we got a date?” She said and realized the word choice was not the best, the look of the cogs turning was quite amusing as she snapped her mouth shut then started again. “You know as friends and all just going out riding.” Her cheeks turned a slight shade of crimson and she tried to hide it by shaking her head to let hair fall into her vision.

[luckycricket]

Drake watched Ace intently when he came back over and laid on Kat's feet. Her feet were very wet now, due to Ace. Drake laughed some and then nodded. I can see that. He just can't resist getting you wet. Drake patted the dog lightly and then looked over at Kat for a moment. It was quite awkward because when he looked, he saw her eying him. So, for a second they made eye contact. Drake looked down at Ace and then laughed a little when he grunted.

Drake smiled when he heard that she liked Friesians. They were always his favorite breed. They normally were all black with large thick necks and feathers down by their hooves. They were built large and that's what he liked about them the most. He couldn't see himself trying to ride a smaller breed like an Arab. When he heard that her friend had a "gay" horse, he laughed some. The horse sounded interesting that's for sure. Wow, That's one wierd stallion. He smiled brightly and started to crack up laughing.

Drake heard her challenge and then continued listening to what she had to say. He smiled at her when she said date and then laughed when she tried to change it. Okay, I'm up for the challenge, or in this case...the date. He laughed some slightly making fun of her. This was going to be probably one of the most interesting date's or "time out with a girl" that he's ever been on.