The True King of Invokations (Mini Seelie! Reader Insert) (2/2)
The following day, as the sun began to rise in the sky, you fluttered your eye open to see Cyno and Tighnari whispering to each other so as to not wake up Collei, who kept you safely tucked into an embrace. Despite your body protesting against leaving such a comfy spot, you slowly floated away from her warmth, a yawn like sound escaping your form, making both turn towards your tiny self. "Looks like our little guest has woken up" Tighnari teased softly, a small smile on his face as his hand reached out with a tender touch, as you struggled against the desire to fall asleep right there and then.
"We were discussing the courses of action to take, since your protection against hunters is very important" he continued, drawing your attention to his eyes "We thought best if you stayed with Collei, at least for today" the ranger explained. You put a small nub beneath your eye in contemplation. It's a great solution, specially due to your small stature. Someone could easily snatch you away if you weren't careful. While you were slightly sad they wouldn't be able to stay, you understood they had bigger roles to fulfill. At your nod, they bid their goodbyes, but not before leaving a note to Collei for when she woke up.
She understood the logic behind her master's explanation, not minding at all the task she was given, especially with such a cute companion. Since it was her resting day, she figured she could make some Pita Pockets and relax for a bit, using the time to organize the cards inside her Casket of Tomes. Some time during the process, the greenette noticed your transfixed gaze towards some of her cards, form slightly hovering over them. "Do you like them?" She questioned curiously, watching as the seelie bobbed up and down in affirmation. Collei giggled, fondly holding the card with her illustration in hands "Yesterday was the closest I got to winning, you know? Mister Cyno is very knowledgeable when it comes to Genius Invokation TCG, while I can't quite grasp all of the effects from the cards' texts" she sighed, putting the card down "The illustrations are nice to look at, at least . . ."
A whine escaped your form as you smushed your form against her cheek, a look of surprise taking over Collei's features before a soft smile appeared. "Aww, it's okay. While I'm a little sad I couldn't win, I'm still happy I got close!" She replied while petting you softly with her finger. You puffed up, feeling accomplished in cheering her up. "I do have a lot of spare cards Mister Cyno gifted to me if you want to play with them! I still need to organize a few things before Master Tighnari comes back!" Collei explained, petting you one more time before leaving the room.
Taking up on her offer, you studied each card diligently. She didn't lie when she told you Cyno gifted a lot of spare cards. Scratch that. You could probably build a few decks and more, up to the latest update with the amount she had available. Excited, you began to assemble your favorite decks, no matter how strong or niche they were, catching the attention of Collei once she came back. "Oh! Did you enjoy playing with the cards?" Collei asked before she gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. "Whoa! That's incredible!" She complimented, looking through your masterpieces, earning a proud trill from you, a subtle rose glow visible on your form.
If she didn't see it herself, she wouldn't have believed it at first. Not only did her little friend organize the spare cards, but they managed to build some of the most cohesive decks on par with pro players in their region. Curiosity gave way to an invitation, and so, the first duel of the strange seelie began. Tighnari was the first one of the duo to come back, yet he wasn't expecting Collei to run up to him so . . . awestruck "Master Tighnari! That seelie knows how to play Genius Invokation like Mister Cyno!" She rambled, sometimes stumbling on her words as Collei described how she suffered defeat from such a cute critter. Now, for a moment, Tighnari doubted the scenario, but just like his apprentice, he grew curious, locking his brown and green eyes with your glowing orb, earning a tilt of your head in response. One assessment duel later, and he knew what to do.
Both forest rangers would have to keep it a secret for now, but all of that would change during a hangout night at Lambad's Tavern.
It was a Friday. With you, Collei, and Tighnari making your way to Sumeru City for a game night with Cyno, Alhaitham, and Kaveh. Needless to say, you were pretty excited! Your new custom Casket of Tomes secured tightly on your back like a backpack, with your own decks, ready to finally be given a chance to duel with the Sumeru boys!
Entering the hangout spot, you instantly perked up, Kaveh's laughter ringing from across the second floor with slightly drunken glee. "That's them, alright," Tighnari said, a sigh escaping his lips, turning to Collei. "You two should go ahead, I'll check up with Lambad first." "Okay Master Tighnari! Come on, little one!" Collei exclaimed, guiding you upstairs. As soon as you turned the corner, she could see you literally glow up in excitement. There they were, Cyno and Alhaitham engaged in a casual duel, Kaveh teasing his roommate for fumbling a play, the scribe's remarks going unusually through the architect's ears, not damping the mood in the slightest.
"We're here!" Collei smiled, waving her hand in greeting as Kaveh raised his up, returning the gesture. "Hey! Glad you could make it! Just in time too, " he added, the provocation not going unnoticed now, as Alhaitham quickly glanced at Kaveh before going back into the game. "Maybe you should focus on your own lack of game sense instead of focusing on others." "Nah, I don't need to win, I just want you to lose."
Their bickering would've continued if it wasn't for a strange sound, turning their heads in curiosity. Short delightful squeaks replicating laughter escaped from the strange companion besides Collei, the small luminescent creature vibrating slightly from the sound of their own laughter. You couldn't help it. Their familiar bickering that you adored in-game was happening in front of your eye, and it felt like home. Calming down after a few seconds from the silence, you wiped a non-existent tear before waving at them the best you could, giving a happy cry in greeting. "And who's this curious lil fella?" Kaveh was the first to break the ice, surprised by how quickly you plopped in his extended hand, nuzzling into his palm. No wonder people called him a Disney princess back in your world. He emanated a warmth like the sun in a lazy afternoon. A slight floral scent mixed with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee made him feel cozy. What really surprised you was the slightly rough hand of Alhaitham's trying to pet you as gently as possible. Perhaps it was his nature as a scribe, but he gave off the scent of a freshly printed book. You simply melted in delight. What a deadly combo those two were.
While Cyno explained how you found him in the city, Tighnari joined the group with more snacks, refilling the drinks as the story continued. "We were also counting on you two to keep them safe, in case none of us could take care of them," he added, with Kaveh and Alhaitham agreeing quickly for once, seeing as you're well behaved, and maybe just a little over affectionate. "What I don't understand is, why are they carrying a Casket of Tomes like a backpack?" The architect questioned, still curious about the trinket that fit you like a glove. This also caught the attention of the general, his serious expression contrasting with his expectant gaze, sparkles almost coming out as the possibility planted itself in his mind. Alhaitham, although appearing aloof, stopped petting your head for a second, seemingly paying attention now. Collei was the one who made the announcement, for once her shyness not tripping her confidence as she spoke, "They can play Genius Invokation really well!"
It would've sounded like a joke. If Tighnari didn't back her up right after. "It's true," he complimented, nodding in acknowledgment based on first-hand experience. "I would be honored to have a duel with you," Cyno declared, his voice dropping into a serious but friendly tone, catching your attention. A duel with Cyno, the best TCG player you knew?! The honor was yours!! The moment was interrupted by a failed attempt to cover a snort, making you turn towards Kaveh in indignation with a cry, who was caught red-handed trying not to laugh. "I'm sorry!" he apologized, but how could he not laugh? The scene he just witnessed was almost as absurd as those novels from Inazuma: The General Mahamatra, asking a small blob-like being for a duel of cards. In that moment, Alhaitham seized a chance he could not pass up, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards, eyes gleaming with mischief. "If you're so confident, perhaps you could try dueling our new friend over first?"
Kaveh's laughter choked into a gasped 'Hey!' , shocked at the audacity of his to suggest that idea. It didn't help when Cyno crossed his arms, humming a 'I see no problem with that' response. He was a bit peeved he couldn't duel first, but he was still intrigued at the change. Catching on pretty quickly, you floated upwards, doing your best puppy eye you could muster with this body, with even Tighnari and Collei joining in on the teasing, fixing their gazes onto their friend. "Alright, alright! I get it! I'll duel them, sheesh. Just don't come crying when you lose." he exclaimed, pulling out his own casket before the table was set. Just before the game began, you floated towards Alhaitham, holding one of the dices up for him to see. You thrilled happily when he nodded, understanding the request as you set the dice in his hand before he gathered the remaining ones. Hey, someone had to throw the dices for you. You couldn't fit all eight of them in your small nubs.
The battle began with his usual combination of his card, Mona and Nilou's, while you chose your trusty deck of choice, the one you used even during your hardest battles. For sake of fairness, your casket came with a small screen so you could settle your playing cards down on the table without the opponent seeing them. Kaveh was definitely overconfident, especially after he managed to down one of your characters pretty quickly within the first rounds, some of the alcohol going to his head. What he didn't understand was that:
1. Just because one of your characters was out of combat, it doesn't mean their buffs were.
2. He got rid of most of his action cards, which means he was right where you wanted!
What seemed like an easy win was turned into a massacre. You managed to stack enough dice in one round to absolutely knock out two out of three of his characters, leaving his remaining card at a measly three health points to finish it off in the next round with your ult. Kaveh was absolutely gobsmacked, even as Cyno announced the winner, happy thrills resonating in the air as you floated in circles, a rare smile adorning Alhaitham's face before he gave you a low-profile 'high-five', his way of saying 'Good job'. His roommate, however, was having none of it. "You definitely rigged the dice!" he tried to defend himself of his defeat, clearly still not believing he lost so quickly, his face extremely red, out of embarrassment or simply too much alcohol to care." I want a rematch! Right now!"
For the sake of fairness, you gave the dice to Tighnari in the second match. The result was very much the same. Even as the third rematch finished with Collei helping with the dice, you remained victorious, and Kaveh couldn't believe it. "HOW AM I LOSING TO A SEELIE?!"
Wig? Snatched. Hopes? Crushed. Hotel? Trivago.
You felt bad for him after the third match, patting his head softly to comfort the blond man. Despite his outburst, the hangout couldn't be livelier. As chaos and laughter rang across the tavern, a new legend in the Genius Invokation TCG was born, one who very much received a spin-off from the official story after word got out of Sumeru.
Your friends got your back. And you couldn't be happier.
