Some people just live stressful lives.
[break][break]
A life of running a company. A life of making business deals, of finding good investment opportunities, of buying stock to promising enterprises, of endless work, and of course, also one of “selfless” philanthropy. A stressful life indeed.
[break][break]
Pair all that with secretly running Hoenn operations for a foreign crime syndicate and with being part of Team Rocket though?
[break][break]
No wonder Mars would try to relax at a sauna.
[break][break]
The problem is that relaxing was proving to be a difficult task.
[break][break]
On days like these silence was unwelcome, as it made it all too easy for his thoughts to wander – no distractions pulling him away from the darkened depths of his mind.
[break][break]
But, as unwelcome and unwanted as the silence may have been, this was nothing compared to his displeasure at the banshee-like shrieking that interrupted it.
[break][break]
Talk about being pulled from the deep.
[break][break]
”Oh.” In heavy contrast with her reaction, he remained perfectly calm, caring little for the woman’s presence despite sitting at the sauna in nothing but the small towel around his waist. Honey-coloured eyes set on her, a small yet confident smile being offered. ”Trying to enjoy the sauna, feel free to join.”
[break][break]
’Trying’ being the keyword.
[break][break]
”I don't believe we've met. Martín del Mar, it's a pleasure.”

[BREAK][BREAK]

+ Summer Atreides
[break][break]

ryNYdtOl
[break][break]
953/1000

Shame is a feeling that is foreign to Mars, because what is there for him to feel at all ashamed of?
[break][break]
Ever assertive, he walks through life with pride and certainty, his self-assurance and vanity arguably crossing that fine line that turns them into nothing but sheer narcissism. He’s aware of it too, and he doesn’t mind it at all, his hubris ever latent.
[break][break]
So, he watches the woman, and her reaction shifts his smile into an ever so slight smirk. Not one mocking, but one amused, even if he does wonder if she’ll be able to enjoy her time at the sauna at all when she looks this tense.
[break][break]
Not like he’s relaxing either, though. As calm as he seems, Mars is never one to lower his guard in front of a stranger. Especially one with a name he recognizes.
[break][break]
”Prescott? Like from Mauville?”
[break][break]
He has always prided himself in being well-informed, after all, and being both a Mauville resident and an extremely wealthy businessman, the name doesn’t escape him.
[break][break]
Interesting.
[break][break]
"Is this your first time at the hot springs?"
[break][break]
As per usual, casual conversation comes easily.
[break][break]

+ Summer Atreides
[break][break]

hF_IVTpy
[break][break]
898/1000

So, Summer Atreides is a spoiled little brat who doesn’t actually know anything about Hoenn business circles, huh? Got it.
[break][break]
At least that’s the impression Mars gets when judging by her words, but of course he won’t say this to her. He’s not here to pick fights with little girls, after all.
[break][break][break]
Despite her accusatory tone, her words don’t seem to faze him. Perhaps they would, but it takes a lot to annoy Mars, and at this point he has already categorized her as being beneath him. There’s no point in getting upset over the words of a petty posh ‘princess’.
[break][break]
”Huh… Maybe they just don’t think you’re important enough for one.”
[break][break]
Unlike hers, his words sound like no more than a mere comment: a passing thought stated out loud, a simple and obvious explanation for this situation. It’ll probably still provoke her and he knows it, but maybe he’s doing it on purpose for the sake of his own amusement. Saunas do get pretty boring.
[break][break]
If she’s not important enough, then that implies that neither is he, but Mars knows that the simple truth is that he didn’t ask for a private room – much like how she probably didn’t think of asking for one either because she assumed they would just give it to her for being a Prescott. That’s how he imagines it probably went, he'd almost be willing to bet on it.
[break][break]
”You could always try to see the silver lining and take it as a good chance to meet new people.”
[break][break]
Try to see the silver lining, how ridiculous.

[break][break]

+ Summer Atreides
[break][break]

L3D|C7Xz
[break][break]
876/1000

Being a “people person” is no requirement to be involved in business, but it sure does help. Does she really not know that in a profession like theirs, any moment can turn into an opportunity? That anyone could have something to offer? That she shouldn’t just be hateful and rude towards people without knowing who she’s talking to?
[break][break]
Mars won’t tell her this, because it’s not his job to do such a thing. Everyone learns eventually. Everyone makes mistakes and suffers for them.
[break][break]
’What do you do anyway, Mr. Del Mar?’
[break][break]
His smile remains despite knowing how upset he has made her, leaning to rest his back against the wooden wall and allowing himself a second to enjoy the heat of the sauna. While looking at the rising steam, her question is answered:
[break][break]
”I run Piazza Oro Grande Bank, among other things.”
[break][break]
Among other things, because that’s definitely not the beginning or the end of his job description, nor of his activities, but he won’t bother with explaining all this. Just talking about POG Bank is enough, because this is his official job anyway, and because the bank itself has enough renown – especially when they have expanded to have branches in every city and when their commercials and ads featuring their adorable Meowth mascots are all over all sorts of media. Mars’ efforts as CEO have paid off, and not without sacrifices, of course. His time has been one of them, and that’s exactly why he could use a moment of relaxing at a sauna…
[break][break]
Not like he’ll get to do much relaxing here, though.


[break][break]

+ Summer Atreides
[break][break]

Lqs3RW7U
[break][break]
854/1000

A little too late, isn’t it?
[break][break]
Does she think he won’t realize that she changed her tune the moment she learned who he is?
[break][break]
First impressions matter, and a lot is probably left to be desired from their first impression of each other (which totally isn’t Mars’ fault, by the way. Not in his opinion, at least). But, for now, Mars will humour her, if only because he needs a distraction and because there’s always a certain enjoyment in talking business. It’s something he loves; something he has dedicated a lot of his life to.
[break][break]
”My predecessor may have, but I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting your father, no.”
[break][break]
The last CEO of the bank, that is.
[break][break]
But, even if he himself hasn’t done any business with the Prescotts, he’s well-informed enough to know of them. As any businessman should be, especially when approaching a region that was completely new to him until recently.
[break][break]
”Out of curiosity, is it only recently that you began to be more involved in your family’s business, Miss Prescott? And sure, some more heat is just fine.”
[break][break]
Naturally, despite her words, he refrains from voicing any thoughts he may or may not have about her toxicities.


[break][break]

+ Summer Atreides
[break][break]

Ml7rlV|m
[break][break]
768/1000

”Very insightful of you, sounds like a plan.”
[break][break]
A slight smirk, for be his first impression of Summer what it had been, there is no denying that doing business with her family would be beneficial to him. The main benefit would go to the bank, obviously, but if Mars is going to go out of his way to negotiate and deal with people like the Prescotts, it might as well help his long term goals, no?
[break][break]
He looks at her while considering this, listening to the way she speaks of a childhood of being trained to one day take over the family business.
[break][break]
It all sounds familiar, for among many other more terribles things, this is exactly what his own childhood had been.
[break][break]
Could it be that him and Summer Atreides have more in common than what he initially believed?
[break][break]
”I can understand that. My own childhood was very similar, actually. It does teach you a lot.”
[break][break]
But, he can’t speak of the Marzáns, so he’ll leave it at that.
[break][break]
”You don’t mind if I turn the heat up a little more, do you?”
[break][break]
Naturally, he doesn’t wait for her answer.


[break][break]

[break]TURN UP THE HEAT 🔥
[break]
ElQcuo9o
[break][break]
595/1000

Does he like heat?
[break][break]
Not particularly, but it makes for a good distraction from the thoughts that plague his mind.
[break][break]
There’s something about the sheer warmth of the air, about the way every breath comes light because of the steam that seems to almost clear the mind, although that may just be the fact that he could really use a glass of water or something.
[break][break]
It’s really warm.
[break][break]
And yet, he acts like nothing at all.
[break][break]
”The heat’s okay, I don’t really mind it.“
[break][break]
He shrugs, offering a smile, for this is still true.
[break][break]
”I hope you aren’t still upset about not getting a private sauna room, by the way.”



[break][break]

Summer Atreides
[break]
45Bkq4YI
[break][break]
536/1000