Love is a game

Love

Love is a game,

Two players,

Rules, only there to be broken,

There is a beginning,

There is a middle,

And, there is an end.

                                                            

In the beginning, the two players, show off what they think will impress, these attributes are graded and set as the norm. As it is early days you keep any weaknesses hidden for as long as possible, so that you lull the other player (the opponent), into a false sense of security. This period, is known as, "Casting The Web", where the aim, is to capture your opponent in your area.

As the game progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep these faults, and weaknesses at bay; the initial fears and insecurities about the game wear off. We are now in the middle of the game! Known as the "Settling Period", the name does not really describe how the game continues. What you must do is assert yourself, no matter how it affects your opponent. You must begin to draw lines that your opponent cannot cross and will lose many points if you do. Deliberate "fouls" cost double and could get you sent off the field of play for a while or permanently should your opponent not want to play anymore. The players will fight, tease, push, manipulate and pull at each other all over the playing area, trying to score points, and win battles. This is the most lengthy part of the game, as it is in this period were advantages are won and lost. The main objective of this stage is to move your lines forward all the time to gain possessional space.

Eventually the fighting will begin to slow down as the players tire. We now move into "The Kill", or the end game. This can have a number of outcomes, depending on the strengths, skills and wills of the players. Most of the time, one player wins a "Total Victory", and the opponent will concede, and back down. Or if the going gets too tough for the opponent, the winning player will achieve a "Hollow Victory", where the opponent concedes and then leaves the playing area, not completely subdued and captured but admitting defeat. Another possibility is a "No Win" and the game is scored as a draw, neither player gaining any significant advantage on the other, both concede and leave the playing area.

Of course there is one other outcome; sometimes players will compromise amicably, accepting the others weaknesses, and indeed, helping them by drawing on their own strengths, and vice versa, and in the end, both players actually win, but this style is not very popular, and does not make for good spectator sport!