THE MOMENT
"You think there's a chance?" Jubilee asked Morgan. The two of them were walking downtown when they saw the tournament announced. It was mid-morning and they happened by one of the many hobby shops as someone put an announcement on the window. Except, it wasn't a paper sign, the entire window also served as a display and a digital graphic of a paper sign appeared on it when they passed. They acknowledged it and kept walking when Morgan suggested Jubilee join the contest.
"I so wouldn't have thought it a few days ago," Morgan shrugged with a giggle. "But, it was totally a magic card that summoned you; maybe you can win a magic card to send you back." It wasn't exactly airtight logic; but, Jubilee didn't have any other leads. She was summoned accidentally when Willow, the owner of her own hobby shop, found an old enchanted deck in the store room. Jubilee lost her memory upon arriving; but, Willow and the others seemed friendly and apologetic about the mishap. They immediately tried to send Jubilee back; but, the last of the magic had been used up and the card crumbled into white dust before they could use it again. Enchanted decks were a regular part of the game everyone played, and the tournament prize was promised to be a legendary deck.
Jubilee was given a room in the hobby shop that also served as the house for their guild. She was thankful they didn't cast her out, and she was trying to make the best of her new life until she either remembered her past, got home, or found out she didn't need to do either. In a way, she was thankful that there was no dark lord to tackle. She would have preferred to not have been summoned; but, if she was at least she had the freedom to live her life. Jubilee mulled the situation over as they returned to Willow's shop. The fairy waved at them from behind the counter as they entered. It was still early enough that the shop was empty. By the time they got there, Willow's windows were also advertising the tournament.
"Sign me up!" Morgan gestured at the window with her thumb, then she nodded at Jubilee. "Both of us," she finished the thought.
"About that...," Willow grinned. "...I already know you won't want to waste your time," she said. "Flutter officially signed up too."
"Laaaaammmme. Okay, I'm out," Morgan shrugged with a giggle.
"I still want to join...," Jubilee nodded. "Who's Flutter?"
"Only the best gamer in the world, maybe the universe," Willow replied. "It's likely she's why we don't have a Dark Lord; or, if we did have one for you to fight it'd be her. She's technically a Paladin; but, she's top-ranked in every game."
"She's also huge," Morgan added as she raised her hand up high and stood up on her tip-toes. "Like, 9, 10 feet easily."
"It's a good thing I don't have to fight her...," Jubilee laughed. "Does she play fair at least?"
"Oh, totally," Morgan nodded. "Everyone says she's the best; but, a lot of them mean that about her personality. She's super kind to anyone she meets."
"If you're going to join, the guild will do everything we can to help; it's the least we can do," Willow said. "You ARE a summoned hero after all, even if there was nothing to do. Maybe you have a chance to beat Flutter. Even if you don't, you have literally nothing to lose... thanks to me..," Willow shrugged apologetically.
"It's okay, I don't blame you," Jubilee was quick to reassure her. It was the polite thing to do; but, she also meant it sincerely. She couldn't remember very much about her past life and world; but, she knew she was the type to make the best of what she had. It came naturally to her and Willow relaxed appreciatively.
"Thank you," she nodded. "If you're in, I can sign you up right now," she added.
"It's the only thing that looks like a chance for me to get home at the moment," Jubilee shrugged. "If she plays fair, then I'll give it a shot. Please put me in."
"Yeah, you totally should!" Morgan nodded. "I'm just not gonna waste my time; I've played against Flutter before so I know I can't beat her." She wanted to ensure Jubilee didn't think she was scared. It just was a waste of time for her if she wasn't going to get first place.
"I hope you'll give me some pointers," Jubilee asked and Morgan nodded. "When's the tournament?" she turned to Willow for the question.
"The end of June," Willow said.
"I'll do what I can, but she's got centuries of experience, and you're going to have about a month," Morgan laughed.
"Centuries..?" Jubilee asked.
"Oh, right, you don't know her," Morgan smiled. "Flutter's a dragon."