And so, the night went.
It was 11.30 pm.
Ken had long since told his mother and father that he'd be coming home late, having been visiting the famous Julianne Hunter once more.
They expressed their grievances at not being able to be there.
However, neither parent was unhappy to hear that from their son.
He was getting to know people, after all.
As for Ken himself, he'd already dissolved himself into what one would call a boy's favourite past time.
Playing and competing with his friends, or rather, competing with Max, once more.
Luke had joined in on their contests every once in a while, but eventually realised that he was out of his league.
After all, both Max and Ken had long since stopped pulling their punches.
Tiffany remained silent, watching every move they'd made.
As for Rose and Julianne, the pair had since started cooking more cheerfully.
The stove was on, and the pair got to cooking.
Rose: Oh... Mrs. Hunter, we need some more sugar.
Julianne: Coming right up.
Rose: Oooh. And also, we need a way to glaze the cake.
Julianne: Got it covered.
Rose: Hmm?
And Julianne, walked to the basement witout saying a word.
Rose: Mrs Hunter?
She left Rose in silence and then returned with a small pistol like gun.
Rose: Mrs Hunter?
Julianne: Hmm?
She seemed shocked to see Rose's, expression before looking at the gun in her hands.
Julianne: Oh. No, this isn't a gun.
Rose: Hmm?
The mother fired it up and aimed it into the air., clicking a button.
Julianne: It's a flamethrower.
And a brilliant yellow flame shot out of the gun, shocking them all.
Rose: EEEEEEEEP!
Luke: What the!?
Ken: How in the....?! (thinking: A flamethrower... really? This family....)
Tiffany's eyes widened as she gasped.
And Julianne broke into a hysterical laughter,
Julianne: Oh I'm so sorry, I just couldn't help myself.
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And she continued to laugh as Max himself chuckled while continuing to play the game.
Ken: (thinking: And Max seems to be on board with this madness.)
The teen smiled.
Ken: (thinking: I guess that's just who you are, isn't it Max?)
And Julianne took the flamethrower with her to a hesitant and worried Rose and the then baking cake.
Julianne: Now.... stand back!
She aimed the gun at the cake and, as all the teens immediately turned their eyes to the oven, a bright yellow flame fell over the cake, thoroughly glazing it.
Rose: Woah...
And the result, a delicious looking cake and an incredible and somehow insatiable burnt and smokey cheese aroma.
Julianne: And voila....
She blew the nozzle to her flamethrower.
Julianne: Ladies and gentlemen, ...
All of them were paying attention to her, except Max. He was used to this.
Julianne: ... may I present to you...
And she walked out of the way of the cake, placing her hands towards it much as a presenter would. She then motioned to Rose to join her....
Rose: Oh. Ok.
... and she did, presenting the cake from the opposite direction from Julianne.
Julianne and Rose: ....cheese cake!
Julianne: ...from Julianne Hunter and Rose Wright.
Rose then chirpily giggled, much to Julianne's delight.
She'd finally stopped worrying about it.
Julianne: And it turned out great!
Rose: Yeah, it really did!
And the pair smiled at each other for just a moment.
Julianne: So... who wants some?
To ask a question like that when everyone had just had an insanely massive and expensive supper was truly something, and Julianne Hunter meant it as a joke, at least in part.
Ken: (thinking: Is she serious?)
Tiffany: (thinking: After all that?)
However...
Luke: Hmmm... Sure, I'll have one.
Rose: (giggles) Ok!
She grabbed a knife and cut out a piece of cake.
Rose: (giggles) (to Julianne) Luke is always hungry.
Julianne: (giggles) Oh..... I see...
And back at the T.V...
Ken: (to Luke) Honestly...
Luke: What?
Ken: Nevermind.... I'll have one too.
Max: Oh, me three!
Rose: Ok. I got you all covered!
She eagerly started cutting up pieces of the cake, one by one.
Julianne herself took a piece as well and walked off to the couch, sitting near her son.
And Rose prepared a plate of five slices of cheese cake, before walking to the sitting room and laying the plate in fornt of each of them.
First Luke...
Rose: Here you go!
Luke: Thanks.
... and then Ken....
Rose: Here, Ken.
Ken: Much obliged.
... and finally, Max.
Rose: Here's your piece, Max.
Max: Oh.. thanks, Rose.
And as for the final two pieces...
One was for herself, and the other...
Rose: Hey, Tiff?
Tiffany: Yeah?
Rose: You want some?
Now, the answer to that question was yes.
The cake smelled great, but Tiffany had had enough of taking things from the Hunters.
And so...
Tiffany: No thanks. I'm stuffed.
Rose: Oh, come on....
It was an interesting situation.
Her friend had obviously brought an extra piece because she was concerned about her and cared, even though she didn't ask.
However, Tiffany absolutely did not want to take anything else from the family. Her pride would hurt her too much to do it.
Tiffany: No, Rose. Really.. thanks. But I'm full.
Rose: Not even just a bite.
The obvious answer to that was yes.
But when she put it that way... just how could Tiffany Chang say no to that.
Ken: (thinking: Seems the night is still young for our awe-inspiring leader.)
And to top it off....
Luke: It's just a piece, Tiff. It's no big deal.
He just had to tease her.
Julianne: It is just one piece.
And she just had to egg her on.
Max: If you don't want it.... I'll have it.
And oddly enough, he was the one person who was helping her.
But still....
Rose: Pleeeeeeeeeaaaasssee!
It suddenly occurred to Tiffany that this was more than just her being her. She also wanted her friend to taste her cooking. In fact, it was, simply put, more of Rose being more of Rose.
And so, given social contagion and her love for her friend.
Tiffany: (sighs) Alright...
Rose: Great!
Would the blow to her pride be worth the smile on Rose's face and the social situation she'd just avoided? She would never know.
But, at the very least...
The cake tasted great.
Tiffany: Mmmm. It's really good.
Rose: Thanks!
And the others agreed...
Max: Yeah. It's pretty good.
Luke: Yep.
Ken: Hmph.
And so their night went on.