Dark Magician Girl Of Chaos: Hey guys! Sorry this chapter took so long, the words just would not come. But I got plenty of words for future chapters.


Chaos: Yes. Maybe too many.

Dark Magician Girl Of Chaos: Shush you. You can never have too many words.
Just to remind you: this story is dedicated to Tie-dyed Trickster (and her various muses.)

For this chapter, and from now on, what Chaos says is in italics. Whenever he talks, in any case, only Ashely can hear him.

Chaos: Story and Ashely Sketcher © Dark Magician Girl Of Chaos/Kenouni Renashin™

Yu-Gi-Oh! and all concepts, including Dungeon Dice Monsters © Kazuki Takahashi.

A Dice In The Hand Is Worth More Than A Card On The Table

Chapter Fourteen.

Ashely blinked. "That's all?"

"Yeah. Have you understood it all?"

Ashely looked at her notes. "Yeah," she mumbled. "Yeah I have," she stopped, and bit her bottom lip a little. "You put it so simply. I think the manual or something I was reading before was too complicated."

Duke frowned. "Was it in a starter box?"

Ashely shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I don't remember where I got it either."

"Have you still got it?"

"I might have." Ashely got up and checked the cupboard where she kept her deck. "Aha, here it is."

"Can I have a look?" She nodded and handed it over. Duke had a look at it. "It's all in foreign."

"It's Egyptian I think."

Duke looked up at her in surprise. "Has it really got that far?" Ashely nodded. "Wow," he whispered.

"I think I was failing to understand it, because I haven't actually translated something from Egyptian to English for awhile. I was probably translating some of it wrong too."

"I never thought it'd get that far," Duke whispered.

Ashely smiled. "Sure it's gone far. It's a good game," Duke eyed her. "Hey, just because I can't play doesn't mean I can't think it's good."

"Why do you think it's good then?" He asked, the manual still in his hands.

Ashely thought about this. "I'm not exactly sure. I think it's because it can appeal to all ages."

"I see."

"Also, people can play the game almost anywhere, 'cause you can use stadiums or tabletops. And, people don't even have to play it - they can just collect the figures."

"Like you do."

"Yeah. I'm sure plenty of others do that too."

Duke shook his head. "I still can't believe that it's got so far."

"Pshhh. Don't be so hard on yourself. It's a great game, and it's only going to get bigger."

Duke looked into her eyes, "you really think so?"

Ashely tried, and failed brilliantly, at holding his gaze for more than ten seconds. "Yes I do."

He smiled, "that's really sweet of you."

Ashely blinked and focused on her pen. "It's true though."

"I'm glad you think so."

"Lots of others do too."

Duke smiled and they sat in silence for a little while.

Duke cleared his throat. "Well," he stood up. "I think I best go."

"Oh, well, okay." Ashely stood up too and walked him to the door.

"If you like him, do something about it now girly.'"

Ashely jumped; Chaos had been very quite for the last half an hour or so. She bit her lip and watched him put his shoes on.

"Duke," she began, causing him to look up. "I-" The phone rang and Ashely winced.

Duke blinked and raised an eyebrow.

She tried again. "I…" The phone continued ringing. She sighed, knowing that the right words were not going to come out. "I guess I better get that. Thank you so much for coming over to teach me today."

"You are very welcome," Duke replied, opening the door. "I'll see you Monday, yeah?"

Ashely nodded, smiled, and watched Duke walk down the path. She shut the door with a little more force that was needed, swore loudly, and after kicking the door, swore again.

The phone was still ringing.