[Cards] Performer's Puppet (Patreon)

"Oh, sweet Merrian! Please don't leave me!"

The man behind the cart held up a small puppet. It was female with a soft silver skin: the legendary elven druid, Saen. Despite its canvas make, it was detailed and charming to watch. The man spoke again, or rather, the puppet did. "Merrian! Please! I beg you!"

As quickly as the crowd could blink, the same puppet was that of a woman in a flowing dress. The crowd booed. Merrian was a classic villain: manipulative, selfish, and vain. Her romance with Saen had been told through generations, but this puppeteer told it better than most.

"You're of no use to me anymore, Saen. I am giving you the courtesy of letting you leave. Begone."

Of course, you know how it ends. Saen refuses, demanding an explanation for her mistreatment, and Merrian turns into the famous she-devil M'lilah. The puppet danced and shifted and grew and changed so quickly that it alone was a performance all its own.

As the battle ended, Saen's tender moment with M'lilah drew tears from the audience. A first. They cheered and applauded the performer, who stood up from behind the cart and took a bow. The puppet, now a flattering depiction of the puppeteer, bowed as well.