It was time.

Thanks to Eris Halla's suggestion, Summer had sent Martín del Mar and BARNABY FINCH different copies of the Shrek movies from a boxset that she had bought. Why?

Well, because it'd be funny. What other reason was there besides getting drunk on wine and watching stupid movies with these two men she had come to call her friends?

An arrangement had been made to board Mars's yacht, where Summer had been previously making candies with him. That, too, had been quite the disaster. But, nevertheless, she enjoyed her time with the admin. She boarded, a staff member tugging her belongings behind her as she walked to meet the man greeting her and Barnaby soon enough.

"I'm glad you seemed to enjoy your flowers and gift from me enough to arrange this little party, Mr. del Mar," Summer teased as she approached, a wicked smirk on her face.

"I only hope Mr. Finch enjoyed his gift too?"

Martín del Mar & BARNABY FINCH

☉

The text she'd received the previous week was surprising. It wasn't unusual that she was keeping in touch with BARNABY FINCH, especially after her literal breakdown at the festival they had run into each other at.

But his invitation to another outing to a funfair took her by surprise. Perhaps it was because she was rather self-conscious after the events that took place in the alleyway. How she had easily broken after thinking putting distance between them to protect herself was a good idea.

In reality, she still wasn't sure what she needed. But, whatever Barnaby was providing to her in terms of relationship and friendship was enough to at least make her happy, for now.

They took one of Summer's private boats to Mossdeep City, the island city's interior coming into view with a sort of fairground aesthetic. It was something Summer had never seen before in person, looking over the deck with an interested look in her eyes. Childlike, curious.

"I've only see things like this in pictures. Is that... what's is called... a ferris wheel?" she asked as she pointed, her ruby gaze turning to look back at Barnaby for confirmation.

However, when they reached the ticket booth to enter the park, Summer seemed displeased by the staff insisting that she wear the Flareon headband and tail they provided. They were simply satisfied she, begrudgingly, put on the ears.

BARNABY FINCH

☉

Who's idea was it to make these chocolates and candies from scratch? Especially after having several drinks and smoking a little bit to loosen up?

Well, it's the rich kid duo, coming at you once again from Martín del Mar's yacht. Summer leaned against the counter, looking over a recipe with a glass of wine in her hand. She scoffed, wrinkling her nose as she read over the instructions once more.

"What does it mean, 'temper the chocolate?' That is not an easy, clear term. This said it was a recipe for beginners," she said with a huff, sipping from the glass.

Her pale hair was pulled back, a rarity for her. She turned, the high ponytail flipping over her shoulder as she looked at Mars.

"Are you having any luck deciphering your code?"

Martín del Mar

☉

Summer turned, rather wobbly, as she heard Killian Decker speak behind her. She pointed her finger at him, ever the pointer since she became intoxicated.

"If it isn't Mr. Dicker- hiccup- Decker? Wait, which was it?"

Oh, whatever. She'd remember later.

"Nah, he definitely has potential. He just doesn't need to be distracted is all. So, is BARNABY FINCH the only one you're betting on then, hmm? No one else interesting you?"

Killian Decker & spectra

☉

Summer couldn't help but feel a brief surge of pride at the compliment, seeing his Armaldo nearly crumpling against the pressure. However, in a moment's notice, it turned on its heels and countered the charged FLAMETHROWER with BRINE.

"Shit!" Summer uttered.

"Gyarados, try to distract the Armaldo!"

The Gyarados sent out a loud screeching noise, to hopefully catch it off guard and keep it from damaging Surtur further. She needed him in her plan. She knew that put her Gyarados at risk, since it had to recharge after using HYPER BEAM, but it was a risk she was willing to take to win.

And, as she thought, her Gyarados to astronomical damage, the rocks crumbling down on top of its body. It roared out, unable to move as it was still recharging.

"Surtur, HEAT CRASH!" she cried out, watching him charge to the Crustle.

---

- GYARADOS took substantial damage from the ROCK WRECKER and is low in health!
- EMBOAR used a charge HEAT CRASH on CRUSTLE

John Sullivan

☉

Summer gave a narrowed gaze at Mars as he replied to her, seeming too calm and cool to see her just burst into the room like that? Where was the fun in that, Mars? Literally hadn't seen each other in months, and this is how you greeted her?

Of course, if the situation was different, she would have greeted him rather cooly herself. But, here she was. Brash and loud, demanding attention from her friend.

"The hell kind of smooth acting is this? No, 'oh Arceus, Summer, I've missed you so much my dearest friend in the entire world?' Some bullshit right there," she said, pointing an accusing finger at Mars.

However, her ruby gaze dragged over to Mr. Merlino, who was introduced to her. So, this was him.

"I've heard about you. Finally can put a face to the name. Not what I imagined," she said with a snicker to herself.

However, betting wasn't something she'd considered. Summer did have her daddy's money, though. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to wager a few bets and see if she'd win. Her drunken mind shouted that it was a great idea.

"I don't really know any of these people. A lot of them don't look interesting to me. But that one," she said, leaning over to point a finger down at BARNABY FINCH.

"Something's gonna happen to him. I'm gonna bet money on that. Too busy flirting to pay attention to his surroundings."

Martín del Mar & Cillian Quinn & spectra

☉

Summer was already crying. She knew that, but she told herself that she wasn't going to break. She was the heiress to the Prescott family name, wealth, industry. She was strong, she was powerful.

However, when that hand touched her cheek ever so gently, she felt herself break.

All the tension she held for months poured out of her in a loud sob, a wailing cry that she couldn't control. Not even her father, who she'd deem her closest companion at this point, had comforted her so gently.

Why was Barnaby? Did he enjoy seeing her like this? Seeing the woman who threatened to stab him and was an utter bitch break apart from a simple comforting touch? Summer couldn't find herself to care about his intentions in the moment, as she was unable to help the flood of fresh tears and heaving breaths that left her mouth in puffs as she tried to catch her breath.

Knox's life was on the line. She never saw him anymore. Sam was taking care of him, but where were they? Casey was gone. Her father held expectations unimaginable over her head.

What else could she do but shatter into pieces in Barnaby's caress? Summer Prescott was as human as any else, as much as she wished she wasn't.

Finding her head resting against his chest, whether she had put it there or he had pulled her closer, she was unsure, she shook as she tried to gain her composure again. Her head pounded as she sniffed unladylike to keep from snotting on his shirt.

"Why do I deserve anything but loneliness, Barnaby? I've been living like this my entire life. How can you change something like that?" she asked, though under her words, there was an innocence to her, begging for his help.

BARNABY FINCH

☉