Missing tiny dice <chapter1>

let me tell you the tale of The Mystery of the Missing Tiny Dice. 🐉🦋🎲✨

Once upon a time, in the Crystal Cave beneath the Singing Waterfalls, there lived a brave healer named Cyddie, a wise dragon named Velcara, and a tiny glowing butterfly-cat called Luma.

One sunny morning, Cyddie set off on a grand adventure with her little's to the Great Tabletop Expo.

They wandered through halls filled with treasures.

There were giant dragons carved from stone.

Tiny painted warriors.

Mountains of colourful cards.

And more dice than there were stars in the evening sky.

“Look!” cried Luma, fluttering excitedly.

She had spotted the tiniest dice she had ever seen.

The dice were so small that one could fit comfortably on her nose.

“Oh no,” sighed Velcara.

“What?” asked Cyddie.

Velcara lowered her voice.

“Luma has the look.”

“The look?” asked Cyddie.

“The treasure goblin look.”

Sure enough, Luma’s eyes sparkled.

🦋✨

The day was wonderful.

The little's laughed.

Cyddie smiled.

Treasures were found.

Photos were taken.

And when evening arrived, everyone returned safely to the Crystal Cave.

There was hot chocolate.

There were extra treats.

There were cosy blankets.

Everything was perfect.

Or so they thought.

Suddenly a cry echoed through the cave.

“My tiny dice!”

Cyddie sat up.

“One is missing!”

The entire cave froze.

Velcara immediately looked in the opposite direction.

A suspiciously specific direction.

“Hmmm,” said Cyddie.

An emergency meeting was called.

The dragons searched under cushions.

They searched under blankets.

They searched behind hot chocolate mugs.

One young dragon accidentally found three biscuits, a sock, and a spoon.

Nobody knew where the spoon had come from.

Meanwhile…

Luma sat quietly beneath a blanket.

Far too quietly.

“Have you seen the dice?” asked Cyddie.

“Nope,” said Luma.

“Not at all.”

“Are you sure?”

“Very sure.”

At that exact moment a tiny clink sounded beneath her.

🎲

Velcara narrowed her eyes.

The dragons narrowed their eyes.

Cyddie narrowed her eyes.

Luma attempted to look innocent.

Unfortunately she was sitting directly on top of the missing dice.

The cave erupted into laughter.

Luma flopped dramatically onto her back.

“I was protecting it!”

“Protecting it?” asked Velcara.

“From what?”

Luma thought for a moment.

“…Dust.”

Nobody believed her.

As punishment, Luma was sentenced to:

🦋 One cuddle from Cyddie.

🦋 One forehead kiss.

🦋 One mug of hot chocolate.

🦋 And being called “Tiny Dice Thief” for the next seven days.

Luma accepted these terms immediately.

She may even have stolen the dice on purpose.

Later that night, after the little's had gone to sleep, Cyddie sat quietly beside the glowing waterfall.

The cave was peaceful.

The stars twinkled outside.

The missing dice rested safely in her hand.

And for the first time in a long while, her heart felt just a little lighter.

Not because every problem had been solved.

Not because the future was certain.

But because she had survived another day.

A day filled with adventure.

A day filled with laughter.

A day filled with love.

And sometimes, that was enough.

🌙💛✨

The End.

Now sleep well, little starlight. The dice are safe, the dragons are asleep, and Luma is currently dreaming about stealing an entire bag of tiny dice tomorrow. 🦋🎲💛🌙 xxx