Summer felt the tickling sensation of his hair coming down to touch her shoulders, sending small tingles and goosebumps over her skin. She closed her eyes, accepting the kiss placed on her forehead.

Her gaze tracked him as he settled to her side, allowing her to sit up again. She decided that perhaps she should try to put something on her stomach, since she hadn't eaten in a while. And maybe it'd curb the ebbing nausea, that was like a flowing river picking up the tide before calming again.

"I don't know if I realized that you were that nervous to talk to me. I figured, since you had approached me in the berry patch, you were more confident."

It wasn't a jab. They all needed a little push. Summer's poison was just alcohol.

"I'm glad we did, though. Me and you, dancing at the Soiree. Sneaking off together... even seeing those desires. Even if mine were not so pleasant compared to yours," she said, recalling how hers were played out to fruition.

Killing her father.

Protecting her brother, and Casey.

Chewing, trying to swallow down the food without having an urge to get sick, Summer considered what he said.

"Well, you can't control everything, right? I don't think you should take blame yourself for not stopping it. It also lies on his shoulders for not controlling himself or talking through the situation..."

Not that she had much advice on that. She was a volatile person, just ask her brother.

Casey Fincher

☉

Summer chuckled, sipping daintily on the beverage he had brought with her meal. Slowly, but surely, she was eating the food. It was settling her stomach a bit.

"It was common place for me to attend events like that alone, really. I was the face of the company when my father deemed himself too busy or didn't want to go. Not to mention, according to him, who didn't like seeing a beautiful and intelligent woman at those sorts of gatherings?"

She paused, setting aside the nearly empty plate. Perhaps a few small pieces of food remained, just too much for her to finish on her own. But she looked over at him, shaking her head.

"While I've had lovers in the past, I've never been one to actively seek out a relationship. I always figured that my father would use my single status for his own benefit. Or, in the end, he'd set me up with someone to build his empire stronger. It wasn't my desire to settle down with someone."

There was a brief pause before Summer smiled.

"Of course, things change, don't they? Here came this guy, with long purple hair in a berry field with a TREECKO. I wouldn't change anything."

She'd never felt love for someone like she did Casey. She never thought someone like herself could love like this. At first, it was terrifying. But, now, even through their entanglement, she knew she would be safe with him.

"If you'd like to invite him over sometime, you're more than welcome to. This place is equally your own as it is for Knox and Sam. Especially since you're going to be my husband."

Casey Fincher

☉

Summer nodded. She could see it in him, now that he'd gotten the long, wrapping GYARADOS tattoo on his skin and his piercings. He seemed like the rebellious type, to not want to conform with his family values. To live his life to the fullest for himself.

Summer... never felt like she had a choice. Until she had the opportunity to step out of her father's looming shadow. Perhaps that was the time Casey entered her life.

"What made you so drawn to me? I've never been anyone's favorite person besides my appearance," she mentioned, wiping the excess food from her mouth with a napkin.

samuel carter. Had he not met him? She supposed not. She did recall mentioning her brother's boyfried in passing multiple times.

"He's around here more than he used to be. When my father was alive, he and Knox were hiding out in Mt. Pyre. He's the keeper there. But he's come here to help us. Help me. He's a good guy."

Casey Fincher

☉