Smiling, Giovanni grabbed Livano's arm, turning towards the rest of the boys.

"Livano e io sarò il capitano!" Giovanni pointed at the two of them. Livano raised an eyebrow, still tossing the baseball around. "E sarò bello e lasciate Livano cogliere per primo." Giovanni smirked at Livano out of the corner of his eye with a look that almost had a hint of challenge in it.

(Livano and I will be team captains! And I'll be nice and let Livano pick first.)

Livano looked at Giovanni smartly.

"Sei sicuro di volerlo fare?" Livano looked to all the boys for a reaction, which he readily received as boys began to jostle against one another, whispering amongst themselves.

(You sure you want to do that?)

Giovanni returned quickly, ruffling Livano's hair again.

"Non vedo un motivo per non. Hai perso comunque!" The boys around them began to shout their sharp remarks to one another, and it looked to Livano they were only one biting comment from completely degrading into a full out brawl.

(I don't see a reason not to. You're gonna lose anyways!)

Livano quickly tried to rescue the situation, attempting to shout over the crowd. The sound only increased, though, and Livano's voice was lost in the hubbub. Finally, after listening to the chaos around him for a good while, and receiving a few shoves from a few different directions, Livano raised fingers to his mouth and let out a loud, shrill whistle.

The effect was instantaneous, and the boys quieted down almost immediately.

Livano lowered his hand and finally referenced the boys, pacing around the perimeter of the circle.

"E va bene. Così Giovanni mi ha offerto una sfida. Una sfida che accetto." Livano spared a glance at the smirking Giovanni, who crossed his arms and entered a cocky stance. Livano continued, pointing at the crowd around him. "Cerchiamo di capire quanto bene le sue parole quando ha di fronte il nostro team, che ne dite? Fillip, stai con me!"

(Alright. So Giovanni has offered me a challenge. A challenge that I readily accept. Let us see how well his words hold up when he faces our team, shall we? Fillip, you're with me!)

Fillip, a small boy with short black hair stepped out of the group, making his way towards Livano with even paces. He held himself confidently, if a little proudly, but despite that he seemed to almost have a bounce in his step, if anticipating an unexpected attack. Fillip, as Livano recalled, was a fast runner and would be helpful if he needed a pinch runner or someone to distract the defense for short periods of time.

Giovanni nodded, slightly frowning at Livano's choice.

"Bernardo, la mia squadra!" He said, waving towards another individual. Livano raised his chin as Bernardo, a well-built individual with tangled shoulder-length, sepia hair stepped forward and stood next to Giovanni. Bernardo was a strong player, like Giovanni, and he was a tricky pitcher to bat against with his combined strength and accuracy. Livano's next choice reflected his attempt to combat Giovanni's choice.

(Bernardo, my team!)

"Nicola!"

Nicola was a steady batter, able to pick out any ball from strike. He would be helpful for an assured single or double, or at least for advancing runners like Fillip.

Giovanni continued.

"Geronimo!"

Livano responded.

"Serafino!"

Back and forth Giovanni and Livano went, until all the boys were finally selected for their team.

"Vincent!"

"Antony!"

"Piero!"

"Cassius!"

"Mercury!"

"Romano!"

Livano looked around at his group. It was evident that his first few choices had been his best, with Fillip offering a fast runner, Nicola being able to bat aside any pitch, and Serafino being one of the best glovers of the group. The rest of the boys would be helpful position fillers, fill-in batters, and perhaps courtesy runners for Romano, who would be catching. He himself, Livano decided, would pitch for their team.

Giovanni had already started to retreat to their side of the park. Just as he was about to call a huddle, he shouted out to Livano.

"Sei pronto per ottenere schiacciato, Livano?" Giovanni's smile had returned and his team, including Bernardo and Geronimo were standing a his sides, beginning to jeer against Livano's team.

(Are you ready to get crushed, Livano?)

Livano only smiled and waved at the boys, which only provoked cheers from his side.

"Hmm. Ci penserò... Forse si dovrebbe essere preoccupati di essere calpestati, Giovanni!" Livano called back, pumping a fist in the air as he called out his rival's name. The boys on his team all whooped and began to catcall the other team.

(Hmm. I'll think about it... Maybe it is you who should be worried about being trampled upon, Giovanni!)

Giovanni stepped out of the group, referring directly to Livano.

"Vediamo se i tuoi fischi a nulla, alla fine, che ne dite? Basi stanno andando a essere l'albero sul lato nord, il recinto più vicino a me, la statua su di un lato, e la base sarà la mia giacca." As Giovanni referenced each landmark, he pointed at them, so that all the boys could see the locations equally. As he spoke, Giovanni crossed to a location across from the fence and between the statue and tree, took off his jacket, and laid it down as the base.

(Let's see if your catcalls amount to anything in the end, shall we? The bases will be the tree on the north side, the fence closest to me, the statue on the far side, and home base will be my jacket.)

Livano nodded along with Giovanni, crossing his arms as his rival spoke. Livano looked about the playing field for a moment longer, eyeing spots where it would be difficult to run and were the choke points would be for rundowns. The "diamond" wasn't perfectly shaped, and the lengths from base to base definitely weren't even, but it would serve their purpose well enough. Livano looked amongst his group, searching for equipment. He could spot that Romano had come partially prepared, for he had a mitt and catcher's mask. Minimal protection, but Livano knew that what Romano lacked in physical protection, his glove could easily catch and manage. He also spotted that Serafino had brought along a decent wood bat. It would suffice for both teams. Many of the boys had gloves, and those who didn't have gloves, Livano knew had steady hands and good hand-eye coordination.

Just as he was musing that he himself didn't have a glove, Antony tapped his shoulder, procuring a leather mitt and showing it to Livano. He was wearing a red hoodie and his head was down, hiding his face.

"Immagino che tu sia pitching, così si sta andando a bisogno di qualcosa per proteggere l'utente da Giovanni's razzo unità di linea. Si può prendere in prestito la mia." Antony's voice was soft and gentle. He looked up to Livano, and Livano could see the plain white mask Antony wore. It covered his whole face, from ear to ear and from his forehead to his chin.

(I assume you're pitching, so you're gonna need something to protect you from Giovanni's rocketing line drives. You can borrow mine.)

Livano took the glove from him carefully. Antony had always been shy and quiet, tending to keep to himself and not participate in any controversy. Livano never blamed him. If was quiet knowledge between the two of them that Antony was nearly disowned from his family, and that he was also afflicted with near crippling social anxiety. In fact, it was to the point that Antony would wear a mask in public at all times. That was how Livano had met Antony for the first time, trying to shrink away from the spotlight, face hidden behind a mask. Intrigued, Livano had spoken softly to him for their first few meetings, trying to gently start a conversation. After several months, Antony and Livano formed a deep bond, near brotherly, and Antony had finally taken off his mask to Livano. Something that Antony had never done to anyone else.

In slight fear, Antony had begged Livano to never tell anyone of what Antony told or showed him, to which Livano gave his deepest promise to never reveal to anyone else. From that moment forth, Antony and Livano had always been close, and Antony would visit Livano at his home often, whether it be to escape from his household or simply to spend time with his closest friend.

Now Livano smiled at Antony, nodding, and he could have sworn that even though the mask betrayed no emotion, Antony straightened and put his shoulders back in a silent smile.

Livano turned to Giovanni, tossing the baseball high in the air.

"Andiamo a giocare a palla!" Livano yelled at the top of his voice. The ball came down and Livano snagged it in his right glove hand, showing it to the rest of the boys. The whole group shouted their agreement and retreated to their "dugouts" at the side of the park.

(Let's play ball!)

Livano assumed his team was taking defense first, especially since he had the ball, so he began to direct the boys towards their positions. Each eagerly ran off at the call of their name and position, including Antony, who dashed off to right field almost immediately. Soon, Livano was standing with Romano, who gave him a brisk nod before jogging off to stand behind Giovanni's jacket.

Livano walked towards the center of the diamond, tossing the ball harshly into the glove to get a feel for his throw. As soon as he got to the center, he looked up to find that the first batter on Giovanni's team, Bernardo, was already at the "plate". Bernardo was waving the bat back and forth, as if getting a feel for its weight, and was looking at Livano intently, eager to swing.

With the smallest smile on his lips, Livano brought his glove back to his ear, prepping for the first pitch. He glanced at Romano, who flashed a sign between his legs as he crouched. One, three. Fastball outside.

Livano nodded, acknowledging the sign. Romano nodded back and got into position, lining himself up for the pitch. Livano glanced behind him once, making sure his defense was in position, before focusing back on the batter.

In a fluid motion, shaped by many games, Livano lifted his foot, winding up before stepping forward in a large step towards the plate, bringing his arm forward like a sling. With a shout, Livano flicked the small baseball from his fingers, following through in a large bow as he watched the ball sail through the air...

Right into Romano's waiting glove.

"Sciopero!" Romano shouted as Bernardo looked at the ball, unmoving.

(Strike!)

Almost immediately there was an uproar from the offensive team, shouting at Romano their disagreement and displeasure. Romano simply shook his head. What he had seen, he had seen. There was no umpire, so the catcher would make the call. Romano quickly tossed the ball back to Livano, who caught it and briskly walked back to the mound. He entered a bowing position, waiting for Romano's sign. Finally, after Romano seemed to think for a while, it was flashed. One, one. Fastball inside.

Livano stood again, resuming his pitching stance. Like before, he let the ball fly, throwing it with all his strength at the inside side of the batting box.

This time, Bernardo did swing, but he let out a shout as he did so too early and the ball whizzed by his bat, hitting Romano's glove with a sound "smack!".

"Sciopero di due! Quello che un riscaldatore!" Romano called out as he held the ball. He tossed it back to Livano. "Fine a tutto questo ora, Livano!"

(Strike two! What a heater! End this now, Livano!)

Livano smirked at the situation. 0-2 count. Wonderful position for the pitcher. He waited for the final sign. Five, one. Livano's eyes barely widened. Screwball inside. Livano gave Romano a slightly warning look, but Romano only nodded his will, showing the sign again. Five, one.

Livano's defense began to cheer him on, assuring him that they were there to catch anything that went their way. Finally making up his mind, Livano stood up, prepping for his throw, working his fingers into the throwing position in his left hand.

With a deep breath, Livano wound up, dedicating his throw, and launched forward, releasing the ball soundly with an inside spin.

As soon as the ball left his hand, Livano sucked a breath through his teeth. Too much spin. He had put too much spin on the pitch. The ball sailed quickly and soundly to the right where Bernardo stood, but it went too far and Bernardo jumped back to avoid being hit. Romano slid to the right, blocking the pitch with his body and his glove.

"Palla." Romano said as he came up with the ball. "Vieni Livano, fargli vedere che cosa avete ottenuto!" The offensive team shouted with mocks as Romano tossed the ball back. Livano simply looked over at the team and gave them his cheekiest smile, as if he knew just how big of a klutz he was, before setting up in his waiting position again.

(Ball. Come on Livano, show him what you've got!)

This time, the sign came quickly, with no wait. Two, three. Changeup outside. Livano had to bite his cheek to prevent himself from smiling. Changeups were his forte. Bernardo was going to receive a huge surprise.

Livano wound up just as he would have with a normal pitch, but at the last second, he adjusted his fingers on the ball in the changeup position and threw it just as hard. The frontspin on the ball slowed it down immensely and Livano let out a cry of excitement as Bernardo took the bait, swinging and missing the ball entirely.

"Sciopero di tre! Battitore è out!" Romano cried out, tagging Bernardo's leg for good measure. Bernardo shouted out a phrase of anger before dropping the bat and sulking off to the rest of his team. The defensive side let out a cheer and began to hi five one another quickly before resuming their positions as Livano smiled and made his way back to the mound.

(Strike three! Batter is out!)

Livano stood there, watching, as the second batter made their way to the plate. Piero. Livano barely nodded. Piero was a difficult batter. Livano was expecting at least a pop fly from him. The rest of his defense seemed to notice as well, for they started to adjust accordingly, the outfield spreading just a touch out and back, and the infield beginning to balance on their toes, ready for a wild hit.

Finally, Romano settled in, flashing Livano the first sign. Four, two. Very clever. Riseball down the middle. Piero wouldn't know what to make of the sudden lift in the pitch before it was too late.

Livano nodded, setting up his pitch and checking his defense once more before gripping the ball and beginning his pitch. As the ball left his hand, Livano immediately flinched back. Riseballs were never his strong suit, and he wanted to make sure he was ready for a line drive if things went south.

Fortunately, the ball was lifted high enough that when Piero did swing, the pitch was too high to end in a line drive, instead being popped high into the air towards shallow right field.

"Mia! Mia! Mia!" The words came quickly and with confidence as Antony waved his hands around to clear the rest of the boys away from him. For a moment, Livano worried about how Antony was going to catch the baseball without a glove, but his worries were put aside as he witnessed Antony whip off his hoodie, revealing rusty red hair as he snagged the white ball in the folds of the jacket. Antony plucked the ball out of his sweatshirt, holding it triumphantly over his head and waving it about.

(Mine! Mine! Mine!)

"Cattura! Battitore è out!" Romano had flipped his catching mask off and was waving it around, his other hand in a fist as he raised it over his head, indicating that Piero was indeed out. Again, the defense let out a cheer as the offensive team groaned at their loss.

(Catch! Batter is out!)

Livano smiled as he looked at Antony, raising the glove to revive the throw. Antony tossed it in and turned swiftly, beginning to jog back to his position with a slight bounce in his step.

"Bene, orgoglioso di pavone, qui andiamo! Sei di fronte a me ora!"

(Alright, prideful peacock, here we go! You're facing me now!)

Livano turned suddenly to view Giovanni, mouth turned in a smiling growl as he hit the bottom of his shoes with the bat. Livano lifted his chin. Figured Giovanni would be hitting third. He had the strength to be the cleanup batter.

Despite this, Livano only nodded as he resumed the bowing position to pick up the sign which Romano now flashed. Three, two. Dropball down the middle.

A sense of sudden choking fear making itself known in Livano's throat, he nodded quickly and stood, checking his defense before releasing the ball with extra topspin to drive it towards the ground.

The next second, a sharp crack was heard, and Livano nimbly jumped out of the way to avoid a white rocket which sped past his cheek.

In shock, Livano immediately began to run, trying to cover third base as the third baseman began to sprint towards shortstop. The defense of the field was buckling towards centerfield, where Serafino was chasing a streak of white across the green grass.

The offensive team began to cheer and scream as Giovanni ran from base to base. First... touching second...

A sharp shout, and Livano was snapped out of his trance by the whistling of a projectile shooting through the air. The baseball was flying towards him at top speed. It was obvious that Serafino had thrown it. Only he could cause a small ball to fly so far and so powerfully, testament to his school sport of discus throw. However, as Livano's eyes widened, he had thrown it a little too hard, and it was about to fly over Livano's head.

In a fluid motion, Livano jumped, reaching up as high as he could...

The solid sound of the baseball cracked in the leather glove, sending a sharp pain down Livano's arm.

Ignoring the pain, and the hoots of his defense, Livano confronted Giovanni, who was halfway down the baseline. Upon seeing Livano changing at him, glove extended to tag, Giovanni put on the breaks and spun, beginning to sprint back to second.

Sensing there was no point on risking an unsuccessful pickle, Livano gripped the ball in both hands as Giovanni dove back to the base. When he stood again, Livano smiled at the thick band of dirt and grass stains on the chest of Giovanni's once-tan shirt. That had most definitely been worth it.

As Giovanni stared at Livano with fire, Livano only shrugged, beginning to whistle as he paced back to the mound, keeping an eye on Giovanni, as he was fond of attempting delay steals when nobody was watching.

As it was, no such thing happened, and Livano set up at the mound again. Livano sounds to the outfield, raising two fingers over his head and shouting:

"Due a terra, ne manca uno! Corridore in seconda!"

(Two down, one to go! Runner at second!)

When Livano returned his attention to the plate once again, the next batter was waiting, lining up on the left side of the plate. They wore a black hoodie and a pair of ripped bell-bottom jeans. From the corners of the hoodie peeked orange-brown hair, shoulder length. Livano tried to make out the face, but between the hood and and the sweatshirt which covered their entire torso, he couldn't make out anything about the character except their lean form and their confidence stance as they pointed the bat at him in a small indication of readiness.

It was funny, Livano thought as Romano flashed the next sign (it was a two, three. Changeup outside), but if he didn't look hard enough, this new boy looked familiar. Almost... feminine.

Shaking his head, Livano glanced back at Giovanni, who was being antsy with his leadoff, crouched low and seeming to bait Livano into throwing the ball too early. Livano glared at him and Giovanni took the smallest step back to the second base, grinning cheekily as was his trademark. Livano refocused upon the batter, now dedicating to his throw, twisting his fingers into the changeup pitch and releasing powerfully.

The ball spun effortlessly, slowing down hallway to the plate. There was no way a normal batter could hit such a slowball.

The world seemed to slow as Livano witnessed the impossible.

The batter, in a fluid motion, pulled the bat back, as if in a swing, only to suddenly crouch forward just as the ball was about to cross. Livano spotted the smallest grin from the mysterious batter as the ball collided and fell to the grass with a soft, nearly inaudible, 'tmp'.

"Bunt!" Livano choked out a moment too late.

As soon as the bat touched the ball, the batter was already off, dashing on the tips of construction orange sneakers towards the first bag as Giovanni barreled towards third.

Livano sprinted towards home, attempting to snag the white ball which lay teasingly in front of the home base, tantalizingly out of Romano's reach and just out of Livano's grasp.

With a gasp, Livano slid onto his knees, scooping the ball up in his bare left hand, spinning and eying Giovanni, who was halfway down the line before throwing the ball as hard as he could towards first base. Venit caught it swiftly caught it and tagged the incoming runner, forcing them off the baseline.

Out three. Sides switch.

A laugh and Livano numbly watched as the bunter faced him and swiftly flipped their hood back, revealing their identity. Livano's eyes widened as he beheld thick, burnt orange hair and playfully flashing blue eyes.

"Fancy seeing you again, Livano! Didn't know you pitched part-time!"

"D_D_Danielle?!" Livano stuttered, recognizing the bright individual from his shop not hours ago.

"Conosci la firebrand, Livano?" Giovanni teased lightly, smacking Livano soundly on the back. Livano choked at the impact before regaining composure.

(You know the firebrand, Livano?)

"Fleetingly..." Livano said slowly, still not believing his eyes. Danielle was still smiling brightly, raising an eyebrow, as if she completely understood what Giovanni was saying to him. Her hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and her bangs still puffed over her forehead as they had when Livano first met her.

"Well," she shrugged, now tossing the bat to Livano and flicking her hair to lay to one side. "Let's see you handle the bat, eh?"

Livano caught the bat with his free hand, feeling the wood weight in his hand. He swung it gently, getting a feel for it before looking up and returning Danielle's smirk.

"Yes... we will see." He forced himself to speak English, speaking directly to Danielle to accept her small, taunting challenge.

Livano turned to his team, which by now was gathered behind him.

"Io battero ' per primo, Antony, tu per secondo, Romano, tu per pulire." Immediately, Livano's team split, Antony and Romano staying in place as they were to bat soon.

(I'm batting first, Antony, you're second, Romano, you're cleanup.)

Livano aligned himself to the left, watching as Danielle, not Bernardo as Livano expected, began to set up at the pitching mound.

Livano took a few practice swings, feeling his steady drawback and his strong followthrough as the bat gently touched his back. While he was not a power batter, nor was he a steady bunter, he did have a last trick up his sleeve. A trick Danielle could not possibly be expecting.

Livano watched her nod, accepting the sign from Giovanni, who was playing catcher. She began to wind up, bringing a slim leg up to nearly her chest, before the orange sneaker came down in a pace much larger than what Livano expected. Danielle's weight swiftly changed, her body lunging forward and her hand whipping downward in a powerful flick as she let out a shout.

Livano watched the tiny white ball eagerly. It was inside, and it seemed to be staying its course.

Swiftly, he stepped back, dropping the bat into a position easier to hit with as he began to run towards the ball. He could hear the entire defense scream their warning of the slapper, but it was too late, Livano had already made contact and caused the ball to skid merrily between the pitcher and first base, until it dropped dead in the grass.

Livano took to his heels, trusting his instincts and his sudden rush of adrenaline to power him towards the first base.

He heard the whistling of the baseball to his left, and the shout of warning from the right fielder. Livano pushed himself harder, willing himself to speed his way through the bag. Already, the first baseman, Vincent, was beginning to stretch his leg, extending his arm to reach for an elusive baseball...

Livano laughed as he let the numbness in his legs build into a runner's high, powering through the base just as the baseball cracked in Vincent's glove.

'Safe!'