Infactuation, romance, love... whatever you call it.

If there is one universal language that holds the world together, be it in one culture or another, it is eros. Eros, being the Greek definition of romantic love.

And as we all know, its effects are not only powerful... but also unpredictable.

One could say that the true meaning of love is to be seen in a true and pure sense by someone. Nothing hidden and everything perceived.

After all, if such a being could exist, wouldn't this being have a better right over your heart than others?

Wouldn't it make more sense to believe in this being's words rather than someone else's?

And also, if this person truly understands you, then... what is that person? More importantly, who is that person to you? A god?

Is someone who loves you, is someone you love... truly...

In any case....

Rose heard Max's interjection.

An interjection that made Ken, Luke and Julianne pause and look at him in shock. They never would have guessed that hed do that.

Julianne: (thinking: My boy...)

And as a result, for that brief moment, Roses mind regained its clarity.

She sent the rock flying and turned to look at Tiffany, who did not expect such a rebirth from her.

Tiffany: Rose...

Rose: It's ok, Tiff.

Her eyes seemed energised. Like something just light the fires in her heart.

Tiffany: (thinking: Could it be...? Did Max....? Did he....just....?)

The shock in Tiffany was enough for Rose. Enough to give her a moment to strike first against Tiffany.

She simply and effortlessly psychically held Tiffany down.

Rose: Got you!

A massive smile rose around her head.

She couldn't believe it. She'd actually done it.

Rose: I.... I did it!

As for Tiffany, she was even more shocked to be caught up in her psychic hold.

Tiffany: Rose... you....

Rose: I... I did it!

As for those watching...

Max: Yeah! That's right! Show her who's boss!

Julianne simply smilingly looked at her son.

Ken: (thinking: Why is he.... well.... I guess at this point, I shouldn't be surprised. That is simply your nature, Max.)

Luke: (thinking: He just psyched Rose up. Hmmmm.)

And as for Rose, she was so surprised by her actions that she held Tiffany in her grip for several seconds, not sure of what to do next, before...

Rose: Ok.... here I go.

She slowly brought Tiffany a few feet closer to her before suddenly deciding to stop.

Rose: (thinking: Tiff always has some kind of plan behind her back. So... maybe I should read her mind first.)

As for those watching...

Max: Hmmm... why's she stopping?

Ken: Perhaps to make sure nothing is wrong.

Max: Hmm?

Ken: Like I said, and we all know this from experience, Tiffany Chang is not always a starightforward opponent.

Max instinctively turned to look back at her.

Now Tiffany was genuinely trapped. The rock in her hand was useless at that point. If she tried to throw it, Rose would stop her. There was nothing she could do about it.

But in her other hand....

Rose started to read Tiffany's mind.

As with her own powers, using mind reading alongside her other abilities caused her some strain, but she could pull it off.

And only a second after she'd done that....

Rose: (thinking: Wait... no....)

A massive burst of smoke came out of Tiffany's right hand.

She had concealed it the whole time. And Rose was so concerned with the rock that she'd failed to notice it.

Julianne: What is that?

Ken: Pressurised smoke bomb. Patnpending.

Julianne: Not bad.

The smoke shocked Rose so much that she let go of Tiffany, giving her a chance to strike back against her.

And so she did.

The smoke cloud cleared to show Rose paused, standing straight, with Tiffany's hand directly in her neck in a karate chop position.

Ken: Match, Tiffany.

Max: Huh?

The statement would have ordinarily bothered Rose, and it did.

After all, she asked for the match, and she'd lost. Max psyched her up, and she still lost.

She hesitantly turned to Tiffany, with some shame in her eyes, but instead...

Tiffany: You almost had me.

Rose: (gasp) R... really?

Tiffany: Uh huh.

A moment passed between the two girls.

Tiffany: Good job, Rose.

And with that, a massive weight flew from Rose's heart. Tiffany was proud of her. Tiffany said she'd almost lost to her.

That was all she'd needed to hear. Not a "I lost," but rather an "I'm proud of you"

Rose: Th... thank you.

Tiffany: Hmmm?

Rose: I... I just...

Tiffany: You don't need to thank me for that.

Rose: Oh... I....

Tiffany: Come on. Let's go talk to the others.

Rose: R.. right...

And then for the next conundrum. How would Max react?