“Too late,” Justine dances as she declares, “every Friday night is Chancing Night with as many XLers as want to play.  Alice is one of the top players, but we all know the masters are Queen Georgia’s friends Sylas Millas Jr. and his wife Leah.  Of course, that doesn’t stop me from trying!”

    As Clara beckons the class around the table, obviously ignoring the idea of solitaire, Keb comforts her friend by saying, “Don’t worry, J; if you and I keep practicing, one of us is bound to win in the next million years.”

    “Such confidence,” burbles Clara.  “Now, here is how you play….”

    Justine passionately preaches the rules of this sport, captivating the young listeners.  However, since I never could figure out how the Razians played the game, Clara’s exhilarated yapping of such complicated rules makes it hard to keep up.  Maybe I can borrow Kammy’s notes and tell you how to play later.  Competitive Solitaire is easy to explain as, from my side of things, it’s basically human solitaire, with each person standing in one of seven spots represented by the card stacks.  As the game progresses and finishes, whichever competitors have their space free will go on to the next round.  This repeats, with the rules accounting for fewer players, until one person is the winner.  The great thing about this game is that the SGs can adapt the game to whatever theme they want, whether it be sparring in designated areas or playing basketball.  Basically, the game’s outcome is linked to the players’ performance.  It’s System Guards.  They’re creative little critters.

    “Hey, that’s not fair, Kammy!  Are you even acknowledging my presence?!” Owan cries in frustration.

    “Owan,” she calmly says, “Uncle O., please don’t be like that.  My move was perfectly legal, so pay better attention and learn instead of blaming me for your pitiful proof that you’re still a baby in competition.”  As Kam’s attempt at being mature kind of ended halfway in her little speech, a devious smile crosses her face as she sees the game is hers.  “Aha!  Now what, brotha’?!”

    Holding his hand out, Owan congratulates his niece.  “Good game.”

    “Good game, Uncle O.  I’m proud of you.”  Kammy then leads in a handshake combination of high fives, back hands and such before ending with a hug.  “Okay, boys,” she says, turning to Elf specifically with a hopeful smile, “which one of you wants to face me next?”

    Stupefied, Entoni Franklin misses his chance when Paul finally claims the next game, thoroughly surprised that Elf didn’t take it.  Kammy shakes Paul’s hand as brotherly as possible, her eyes struggling not to look back at Elfie while she says, “May the best chancer win,” after which she eagerly turns back to Elfie and taunts him, “and then I get to take you on, buddy boy!”

    As Kammy begins her game with Paul, Elf slightly wobbles as a short female makes it a point to “accidentally” bump into him.  “Well, that was pitiful,” Faye observes.  “Kammy, hurry up and beat Paul.  I like seeing you strike fear into my brother.”

    “Thanks, punk,” Elfie whispers to the shorty.  “Now, I know you hang out with Gigi too much.”

    “Tee hee,” Faye bumps into him again and voices her playful disagreement as she says, “definitely not enough.”

    As Paul scurries about, looking for a way to best his opponent, his apprehensions, and nervousness of playing against Kammy, has him a complete wreck as he gradually worsens in his performance.

    “Come on, man,” Owan cheers as he pats Paul on the back, “don’t let Kammy do that to you.”

    This just makes it worse.

    Paul quickly glances over at Gigi talking to Vahnna, not even paying attention, and it is this change of focus that costs Paul severely in the game.

    “Paul,” Ent sharply scolds, “if you act like that in combat, you get us all killed.  Calm it, bro.”

    “This is just a game, Elf,” Paul remarks with the same tone, making his focus even worse as he feels bad for snapping at his friends who are trying to help.

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