Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Love of a Priestess ❯ Dueling ( Chapter 3 )

Days passed before I dared Channel again. Yugi introduced me to his friends at school: Joey, Tea, Tristan. I couldn't remember ever having friends. They went out often, to movies and shopping (at Tea's request) and lunch. They were close, and drew me in as well. I felt out of place amongst them-time had made me demure and silent. I had preferred the presence of the ancient Pharaoh to his young physical counterpart.

I also met his other friends-Mai and Duke-while out at lunch with them. They, too, unnerved me. I was used to quiet and solitude, unused to being asked questions and associated with.

~~~~~

One day, I discovered a memory without having to Channel. Yugi and his friends were eating lunch together at a restaurant when Mai challenged Tea to a "friendly duel." Tea declined at first, pushing Joey to play in her place. Joey refused, and her friends urged Tea to at least try. Curious, I leaned over and asked Yugi what they were talking about.

"Duel Monsters," he replied. "Here, watch Mai and Tea play. Tea's just a beginner, Mai's a pro, so you'll get a good feel for the game. It's much more exciting, though, when someone of Joey's skill duels Mai."

I watched, fascinated, as Mai skillfully played Trap and Magic cards to demolish Tea's relatively weak Monsters. Tea, I could easily see, was uncomfortable with the game. For starters, her deck was unbalanced, lacking the supportive and sneaky Magic and Trap cards Mai's deck was loaded with. Second, Tea was indecisive and wary when playing cards. Mai won handily in just a few minutes.

"Let me try," I found myself saying suddenly. I didn't even know how to play the game… and yet I felt certain that I did.

"Yugi, may I see your Deck?" I was sure that Yugi's deck was better equipped than Tea's.

"Here, have a look at mine and Joey's. That should give you a balanced Deck," Yugi handed me the two decks. I appreciated the fact that he did not try to stop me, only help me in my attempt. Joey, on the other hand, was not so gracious.

"What?! You're going to let her duel Mai, Yugi?" Joey exclaimed.

"And why not?" I demanded, my face flushing with indignation. Everyone looked startled; it was the first time they'd heard me close to angry.

"I don't know… I know I wouldn't want to get my butt kicked by Mai the first time," he mumbled faintly.

"Don't worry about me. My pride is not the issue here," I countered smoothly. Mai smiled at me approvingly.

"This ought to be good," she said. And we commenced to play.

~~~~~

The game was easier than I had thought. Perhaps the cards were good, or Lady Luck hovered over my shoulder, but the combinations and plays came easily and quickly to my hands. I knew when to play which cards, knew when Mai was bluffing and when to take risks. The thrill of the game was exhilarating.

I saw the weakness in Mai's strategy and promptly exploited it. By the time I played my final card, defeat was imminent. I drew a card, sacrificed my Monster on the field, and summoned the Dark Magician Girl. In one quick turn, I won, it seems, as easily as Mai had won against Tea.

I had been unaware of my surroundings during the duel, completely engrossed in the task at hand. As my mind cleared and I looked around, I was met with several amazed stares.

"Are you sure you've never dueled before?" Tristan asked. "'Cause it sure felt like you have."

"You played everything perfectly. It was nearly flawless," Duke said in awe.

Joey and Mai could only gaze and each other, equally confused. Yugi was looking at me with his large purple eyes. He wasn't confused or angry or even awestruck; it was more a curious stare, as if he were trying to unlock the doors behind my eyes.

"I'm certain I've never played before. I think I just got lucky. I watched Tea play, and I had good-better cards than she did. I learn quickly," I stammered faintly. How could I have played so skillfully, when I was fairly certain I'd never held a Duel Monsters card before?