It was truly a rare event for Summer to be on the Rocket submarine. Since taking over her father's business, she found herself rather busy, preoccupied with fixing the ways he ran his company in the past to fit her new agenda. Though, it seemed that today was a lucky day for her.

She was finishing a meeting with a few other Rockets when the announcement was made overhead about the natural hot springs that were found, safe for human use. And it felt like not even a few moments later she received a text from Cade Atreides.

She had to hide her smirk behind her hands as she turned to finish the rest of the meeting, bidding the rest of her business partners goodbye. The first few subs had already gone and come back, but luckily she was able to catch one and make it over to the springs quickly.

A small walk with the trail of lights serving as a guide, and Summer managed to find Cade. He was already lounging back, resting against the rock in the water. As he took her in, she made it clear that she was taking him in as well. A smile crossed her lips, her shoes left by his bag.

"Hey," she echoed. "How's the water?"

Summer reached behind her back with deft hands, her fingers grabbing the zipper of her dress and unzipping it. She was careful to neatly fold it so it wouldn't wrinkle, moving on to remove the rest of her clothing before standing at the waters edge, dipping a toe in.

"Happy New Year, Cade," Summer cooed softly, easing into the water slowly until she was sunken in to her shoulders, wading closer to him.

Cade Atreides

☉

The way the two looked at each other, like two people who couldn't get enough of each other... it made Summer happy for them. But there was also a small void in her heart. She remembered her time with Casey, how it was ended. Her child too, eventually gone as well.

She was envious. Jealous. She wanted something like that too. But of course, perhaps it wasn't in her grasp yet. Her focus had to be on business. She had to become powerful, someone who couldn't be toppled over.

Strong.

"You two are acting so cute it makes me want to barf," Summer said, exaggerating as she placed her hand on her stomach and pretended to get sick. "So disgustingly cute. Gross."

She thought about Barnaby's question for a moment before she snorted a laugh and answered.

"You both like to talk, but I think you like to talk a little bit more, Barnaby. I think it was you."

BARNABY FINCH & Martín del Mar

☉

"Just conversing? Don't tell me that's the only thing you enjoyed about our time at the masquerade..."

Summer couldn't help but tease him, a smile crossing her face as she sipped her wine. She nodded, setting it down on the table. "I agree, though. It was an enjoyable night. I suppose it wouldn't hurt getting to know each other as well," she said with a small extension of her hand for emphasis.

"Really? Many people hear my name and quake to the ground. Grovel, if you will. Ask for money and compliment me to the extent of the end of the world. It's rather exhausting. I suppose this is rather refreshing, being unknown."

However, the mention of her deceased father left a bitter taste in her mouth. It sent the image of his body, slumped on the ground after she pulled the trigger. The metallic smell in the air, the sounds of Sam's Pokemon descending upon his body as they both escorted knox prescott out. Finally free, finally safe-

"Of course. I think I recall your company's services coming by before. It's funny, how small the world is sometimes," she said. "I've just taken over as CEO. My father's passing was recent, in the past several months. ARCEUS, bless his soul."

Summer couldn't just show her disdain for her father in front of a stranger. Especially since his company had worked for him. Thankfully, the waiter interrupted them and displayed the menu, explaining the options and how everything would work. She waved her hand.

"Chef's choice," she plainly stated.

Gunner Graves

☉

Summer couldn't help a small scoff at Elisabeth's words, though the flattery was certainly something she ate up. She smirked behind her glass, taking a sip to hide her pleasure.

"Thank you, thank you. I hope business goes smoothly this coming year, compared to how my father left things."

With wallowing loyalists, needing to be taken down, and a network of trade that was no longer substantial in her or knox prescott's eyes. It was quite disgusting. But the deeds were done, thanks to partnering with samuel carter and Zev Harcourt. All lost to the wind...

She raised her gaze to Gideon, smiling as though as was interested in sharing her information about her business with him. "We are a business liaison. We serve as many connections between individuals needing jobs or trades. However, we also specialize in certain trades from other regions as well, though that had been put on hold for a while given the past circumstances. Luckily, we had stocks saved so we didn't crash when the dome came over the region."

Elisabeth would know that Summer was only sharing her legal details. And she was being careful about it as well, since Summer had been informed as of late that there was a mole around trying to find out the dirty details of her business to expose her or arrest her.

GIDEON GRAVES Gunner Graves & Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

There was an epic timer displayed for everyone to see, counting down the hour, the minutes, the seconds until the new year rolled in. And per tradition, everyone locked eyes on it as the final seconds rolled in. Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!

However, Summer had found herself looking toward her companion with a knowing smirk instead of counting down, allowing him to swoop in to kiss her as people chanted "Happy New Years!" Confetti and streamers had floated down from the ceiling, covering them in a festive array of colors. But she had hardly cared in the moment.

Then there was the point where people trickled out, or were kicked out from the spare rooms. It was empty, except for the guards and staff left to clean up.

Summer had taken no time leading Gunner back to her own room, thankfully left alone and unused, where they celebrated in their own right. After he rolled off of her, she sighed, still catching her breath as she made a move to snuggle in closer to him. Her hair was splayed out wildly on her pillow, and her pale skin was wildly marked. However, she didn't give two damns at the moment as she rolled her head toward him.

"Happy New Year," she echoed with a smile. She contemplated his questioned for a moment, tracing one of her polished nails over his jawline before speaking. "I don't think I have anything to complain about, no. You?"

Gunner Graves

☉

Summer listened to the three as they realized their connections. Elisabeth was an impossible person to miss. Her flower shop was well known in the region, and she had the personality to match. Of course, Summer was the only one at the table who understood how ruthless her friend could truly be.

She dove into her thoughts for a moment. Perhaps she was too busy with her work. Of course she was going to be busy. She was the CEO of a damn industry, after all. Yet, she almost felt like the odd one out, despite knowing all of them at the table aside from the eldest Graves brother. Silently, quietly, and hiddenly, she picked at the edge of her nails, at her skin.

Until she felt a hand touch her — very exposed — leg. Her amber gaze looked over to the side from the corner of her eye, where she caught his gaze. Summer was unable to hide an almost amused smirk, choking back a laugh behind her hand that was propped by her elbows on the table.

"Hmmm...?" A curious and almost playful hum left her lips as she watched Elisabeth drag Gideon's drink to her lips and drink it without his permission. A bold move. She loved it. She hoped that she was able to rile this one up, play with the gears in his head a little bit before they left.

"You know, Miss Fiorelli's been my friend for quite some time. She and I first met chasing POOCHYENAS and a great MIGHTYENA out of Oldale many months ago. She's not one to be messed with..." Summer teased, taking her drink by the handle and drinking as if she said nothing intimidating.

GIDEON GRAVES Gunner Graves & Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

Summer was quick to spot Gunner's gaze on he and her only. It was hard to fight back a smirk on her lips as she turned to looked at his companion, his brother, who greeted her and Elisabeth.

Though she did grant him full attention as he rose and stepped closer to her, leaning in to kiss her. She met his lips, though the kiss was quick and chaste as he leaned away. Of course, they were in public. There was no one around to turn off cameras or to hide away in a private room.

"Thank you. It's nice to see you as always," she spoke back, her voice kept low for the two of them to hear. She slipped into her seat, listening in on Elisabeth and Gideon's conversation as she settled.

"I didn't realize that you both knew each other already. I suppose that it worked out in our favor, then." Summer clasped her hands together, smiling pleasantly as she crossed her ankles under the table.

Looking over the menu selection, there really wasn't much to pick from. However, since it was a special occasion, she decided she'd try the WINTER'S KISS.

"I'll try one of those. It's in season, so I figure it must be good."

GIDEON GRAVES Gunner Graves & Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉

When invited to join Mr. Gunner Graves at the Moonblast Microbrewery, Summer agreed to join him and his brother. GIDEON GRAVES, he mentioned. Described as an outdoorsman, one of literary interest. And her date of choice for the man was quite easy to pick out.

"Dear, you look amazing. Quite darling, if I do say so myself," Summer spoke to Elisabeth Fiorelli, kissing both of her cheeks in greeting. Both of the women were used to this Kalosian custom, after all.

Ever the more dressed up, she entered the bar, heels carrying her forward with Elisabeth's arm wrapped with hers. Her amber gaze only did one span of the area when she spotted her date and his brother, waiting for the women to show. She leaned closer to Elisa, whispering in her ear.

"The Graves brothers. Do they meet your taste, hmm? The younger one, he quite literally swept my off my feet at the masquerade. Couldn't stop eyeing my breasts in that dress of mine," she whispered, smirking as she kept her gaze on the two men.

"Let's go meet them, shall we?" Walking forward, Summer didn't let go of her friend until they were standing right in front of the two.

"Good evening. How are you both tonight?"

---

- outfit
- hair
- nails

GIDEON GRAVES Gunner Graves & Elisabeth Fiorelli

☉