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The forest glade was bathed in the honeyed light of late afternoon, motes of pollen dancing in the sunbeams that filtered through the canopy. You sat cross-legged on the plush moss, watching with a smile as Tighnari neatly arranged the cards. His ears twitched occasionally as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, but his focus remained unbroken.
With a flourish, Tighnari drew his starting hand. You leaned forward eagerly, your eyes sparkling with playful competition. How many lazy afternoons had you both whiled away like this, immersed in carefree games? Tighnari had lost count. Although he was usually a strict mentor, the two of you formed a kindred friendship over your shared love for the hit card game, Genius Invocation TCG.
Today was the day you swore you would beat him.
You made the first move, placing your card with purpose. "I summon Amber the Outrider!"
Tighnari inclined his head, impressed by your bold opening gambit. He plucked his own card between slender fingers. "A bold move. In response, I call upon Kaeya the Cavalry Captain!"
"Hmm, let's see," you murmured, brow furrowed in concentration. You plucked a card from your hand and laid it face up on the grass. "I invoke Diluc!"
Tighnari's ears perked up in surprise. "An interesting play," he remarked. "However..." With a flourish, he cast down his own card. "I counter with Kazuha! His Anemo abilities will nullify your Pyro attacks."
With a slight smirk, you procured two dice and rolled them on the table. "Not if I roll two sixes. Then I can counter both your attacks with double Pyro damage!"
The two of you watched with eager fascination as the dies danced across the table. Then, they went still. The result...
"Two sixes!" you squealed with joy, collecting both of Tighnari's cards. Now, your deck had a total of five cards.
Tighnari's ears drooped in momentary disappointment, but quickly perked up again at your infectious enthusiasm. "Well done," he conceded with a slight smile. "It seems luck was on your side. However," he drew a card from the middle deck, "you forgot that I can pick a card from the middle deck. And it just so happens to be..."
The Forest Ranger smirked, tossing his card on the table in front of you. You felt your heart sink—it was Lynette. A Hydro unit. For your mono Pyro deck, Hydro spelled disaster for your team composition. Grumbling under your breath, you begrudgingly handed him your Amber and Diluc. Looking down at your cards, you chewed on your lower lip—only the last remaining trump card, Raiden Shogun, could save you. "I play Raiden Shogun, Electro Archon!"
Tighnari's ears perked up in surprise. "An interesting play," he remarked. With a flourish, he cast down his own card. "Unfortunately, I have the perfect counter." Tighnari placed his final card reverently onto the moss with slender, gloved fingers. "I counter with Venti, the Anemo Archon! His abilities will weaken your lightning."
You gasped as Tighnari's strategic counter crushed Raiden's attacks. With a rueful chuckle, you admitted defeat. "Good game, Master Tighnari. Guess I still have a lot to learn, huh?"
"Indeed, but there's still time for you to learn and master your techniques. In time, you might even beat me in Genius Invocation TCG," Tighnari's usually serious face broke into a rare, full smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners. His fluffy two-toned tail swished behind him happily.
The two of you gazed at the setting sun filtering through the trees. His sensitive ears twitched as gentle forest sounds surrounded the two of you. "We should return to the Forest Ranger's Hut before night falls," he said, tidying the cards with deft, precise movements, "otherwise, Collei will worry about us."
Nodding at your friend and mentor, the two of you walked back toward the hut, relaxed and refreshed after a tiring day of scouting the ins and outs of Avidya Forest. Together, you walked in comfortable silence back through the tranquil glade, savoring the wholesome memories you'd forged today.