(Imagine Lady Whistledon voice)

Dearest Illumineers;

It is I, Lady Layinkdown, back to share a few examples of what you should not do as a suitor. As we progress through a season and its new cards, they are looking to pair up with a color that the best showcases their strengths. Timing is critical for both cards and colors. While cards are limited to just their season and even the diamonds in the rough, like our chosen The Return of Hercules, must hope for a good pairing in color or face being forgotten and left unshuffled. Colors, on the other hand, get to explore their options every season. This causes some colors to try to pair at too young of an age and others to return to the pairings well past their prime.

Our first failure sought our diamond perhaps a bit too early. Young Earl of Amethyst probably hasn't felt a razor on his chin but still he attempted to win over our diamond.

The conversation began as all things do, with what both card and color have in common.

Notice our young Earl did not mention Diablo - Spiteful Raven. That was wise, as our chosen card isn't interested in low ink characters.

The flavorful combo of Kronk with either Yzma or Kuzco can be interesting, but slow Yzma requires banishment from challenge and Kuzco takes turns to be effective. But still he pressed trying to impress.

Seeing the lack of interest Amethyst moved on to his heavy hitters.

Now let us look back at the Emerald cards that our diamond loves from her own estate. And you see that The Return of Hercules is more interested in damage than exertion.

The Young Earl tried to change the conversation to his ability to draw into our lovely card with things like Friends on the Other Side, Chernebog's Followers, Diablo, and Magic Broom. These are the staples of Amethyst and can be played with almost any card, so our Diamond politely moved on to the next suitor before even hearing a deck list proposal.

Our next Suitor was much more of a Gentleman than the Amethyst Boy. But age was still an issue. In a previous season the Grand Duke of Amber had found a match with The Queen-Disguised Peddler. If interested in days long gone you can find that list here.

The Duke was an early Widower and still wanted the comforts of good pairing. Not wanting to mince words or waste time, he perhaps realized that the young Earl had just failed to produce a deck list. He started with the end in mind.

Amber Suitor | Dan Eckstein | Casual

• Characters (56)
• 2 Chernabog - Evildoer
• 2 Mufasa - Betrayed Leader
• 3 Cri-Kee - Lucky Cricket
• 3 Lady - Miss Park Avenue
• 3 Lilo - Escape Artist
• 3 Pegasus - Cloud Racer
• 4 Baloo - Von Bruinwald XIII
• 4 Cursed Merfolk - Ursula's Handiwork
• 4 Daisy Duck - Donald's Date
• 4 Lady - Elegant Spaniel
• 4 Olivia Flaversham - The Toymaker's Daughter
• 4 Pegasus - Gift for Hercules
• 4 Piglet - Pooh Pirate Captain
• 4 Tramp - Enterprising Dog
• 4 Donald Duck - Musketeer Soldier
• 4 Tramp - Street Smart Dog

• Actions (4)
• 4 The Return of Hercules

Our beloved card did mindfully listen to his ramblings but no spark emerged. She felt he was still trying to grab onto days long past and just squeezing her into his nostalgia. While not unplayable, there were still many balls yet to attend this season to tie herself to a wiser and older suitor.

Our Diamond does not want to commit too early, but the brash Momma's Boy from Ruby still has her eye. What is yet to come? You, my faithful reader, must wait to find out.

But rest assured, if the winning Suitor uses ink it can be found at CoolStuffdInc.com