Summer didn't imagine herself a lonely person. Perhaps her face said otherwise.

"You're a busybody as well? I understand that all too well, it seems..."

Summer sighed, sipping her drink before relaxing back in her chair.

"It's rather stressful. What do you do?"

The call was made, and Summer couldn't help but feel a twinge of hunger growing in her stomach at the aspect of going to her favorite restaurant. An upscale Kalosian-style place that was exclusive, of course.

"Of course. I'll be back."

She reached up to place a kiss against her father's cheek before disappearing to her room, to change her makeup and don her formal dress she decided to wear to the restaurant.

Once she was ready, she descended the stairs, heels clicking as she walked with practiced grace in the dark dress she decided to wear. Everything was tailored to fit her perfectly. Of course, she was Summer. It had to be perfect.

"Shall we be off, Father?"

The fingers in her hair were enough to make her sigh against his lips, though they were quickly captured again by Barnaby's. She found herself leaning in for more, even making a whining noise when he withdrew from her.

A tease. That was exactly what he was, and she couldn't stand it.

Summer didn't dare break away from his face as he shifted away the silken robe, letting it drop to the floor and reveal the outfit she wore underneath. Or lack thereof. She couldn't help but let a smirk crawl onto her lips, cocking her hip to the side, and placing a hand on her hip.

"What? Cat caught your tongue-"

Suddenly, he was on her again, kissing her with more passion than she could have imagined before. Summer's hand reached up to run through his hair, tangling into the inky strands and tugging slightly as he hiked her into his arms.

Summer's legs wrapped around his waist, allowing him to carrying her to the couch. But she didn't stop her attack on his skin, kissing his jaw and his neck as he settled.

Barnaby seemed to know the game she was playing at. Somehow, that excited Summer more than it should have, sending a shiver down her spine and making goosebumps rise on her fair skin.

And then, his arms were behind her, on her waist, and her chest was against him.

A small noise escaped her lips as Summer felt her meet his chest, her hands resting against the flat plains that were hidden beneath his shirt to keep her from hitting her nose against his shoulder. The left shoulder of her robe slipped down, revealing a strap of what was hidden underneath.

"Mmm... Barnaby."

There was something good about the feeling of his hands firm on her. Summer shifted her face, looking over his features before leaning closer.

And her kiss to him was not romantic or sweet. It was wanting, lustful.

And her father's right. Was he always right like this? Summer was beginning to think yes, that he was.

That maybe this whole plan that she and Knox devised, that all the opinions Sam held about him, were wrong. Maybe things would work for the better if she came clean.

And yet, she allowed herself to melt into his embrace, nearing letting out a sob as he gave her the warmth she was seeking. There were so many things she wanted to talk about. Of course his first thought was of Knox.

But so much more was eating away at her that didn't involve the family either. Where was her love? Where did Casey go?

He promised dinner, and she let go, taking a step back and wiping away a few stray tears that managed to betray her and slip down her face. Summer nodded.

"I would love that. You have free time?"

Summer had promised her blue blazing Emboar not long.

Of course, that was until something familiar caught her eye. A flash of purple hair, a man sitting on a bench.

How long had it been since she had last seen this man? It was back in Oldale if she recalled, when she was selling baked goods for that organization. She remembered because she managed to swindle him. Oh, she swindled him real good...

And her Loki had still been a Nickit at the time.

"Follow me," she said, beckoning Surtur to come after her.

Walking toward the bench, Summer's footsteps stopped crunching in the snow when she reached the bench. He seemed to be concentrating, but of course, she had other plans.

"Fancy seeing you out here."

Her eyes immediately flicked from Katja to the bottle of wine she held, lighting up. Of course Summer was a sucker for wine. Or, really, any alcohol.

"You shouldn't have."

Oh, but it'd make the night even more exciting, she'd determined.

Summer herded her friend inside, closing the large mahogany door behind her with a clank. She beckoned her to follow her into the reception area, to where she had the fireplace prepared and some food set out.

Just snacks and finger foods. An array of cheese, fruits, meats, and crackers. A few varieties of dips. To her, it wasn't much.

"Help yourself. And take a seat. Your things will be brought up to my room!"

"I am not surprised."

Summer listened as he played, humming along to the tune. Of course she knew it. As a member of a wealthy family, it was almost like a requirement for her to know these things, the fine arts. But, in her current mind, she couldn't quite remember the name of it.

Frankly, she couldn't bring herself to care to remember it.

If she heard him falter on the keys, repeat the same notes - which she did, she pretended not to notice, instead allowing herself to close her eyes and seemingly drift off into a peaceful realm that he managed to lull her into.

However, Remiel's voice caused her to open her eyes, to meet his and smile.

"If you will, Mr. Calcifet."

If Summer noticed his blush, she didn't mention it. In fact, her own face was tinged a pink hue as they walked back to the parlor, her body still close by his side as they sat by the piano. Her skin felt warm, her hands from her grasping his arm and the rest of her body from the alcohol.

It was a shame she wanted more, of alcohol and a physical closeness.

Even though there was a potential security breach in Remiel's home.

She settled on the bench, looking over the keys and then his fingers before deciding what she'd like to listen to.

"Do you know classical music? I'm sure a man of your statute would."

How long had it been since her own fingers danced across the keys of a piano? Summer couldn't recall as she rested her head against his shoulder, waiting.

As much as it pleased Summer to see Barnaby taking her in, drinking in the view that she definitely prepared for him, a clear look of annoyance was evident on her face. He seemed almost like a lazy cat, leaning against her doorframe before entering.

When did she give him permission to enter her home?

The heavy door closed behind him as Summer was caught looking up at him again. Her feet were bare, her true height putting her at a clear disadvantage since she had a little bit of elevation in her boots earlier.

Damn the eight inches.

"Perhaps I do. But you'll have to work for my forgiveness."

Of course, Summer's words held a double meaning as she slipped away from him, walking back toward the couch and the burning fireplace. She spared a glance over her shoulder at him, a look that told him to follow her. She didn't want to be kept waiting any longer, after all.

"That is, if you want to..." she said, adding the statement almost shyly.

Summer glanced at her hand, feeling her cheeks warm a tinge past their alcoholic blush when Remy gave her hand a squeeze. He seemed ever the gentleman, even when there was a potential burglar in his mansion.

How romantic.

She watched Earl Grey do as he was told, swooping away to explore the potential threat. That left the two of them.

And she took his arm without hesitation, only throwing one more look over her shoulder at the wreckage left behind as Remiel guided her back to the parlor.

"Are you sure it'll be alright? I'm sure I can send some help of my own..." she offered, pressing closer toward him.

Eris tried to speak, and then she seemed dazed. It reminded Summer of when she was encountered by that Pokemon in her garden.

Confused. Words scrambling in her mind, yet nothing would come out of her mouth.

She shuddered at the memory, glancing away from Mars as he tried to bring Eris back to reality. It was frightening, that this thing was able to have this sort of power on them.

And she was stuck with it.

"I take it you don't have one?" she asked him, finally able to bring her composure back.

The UNOWN he held out brought a sense of familiarity and dread at once. Shivers ran through her body, but she was able to at least give him a nod of confirmation.

"I grew nauseous and felt like I had to feint. Like if I tried to talk more about it with her, I'd pass out."

Her home was warm, yet she felt cold. Perhaps it was the loneliness, the aspect of waiting.

Summer Prescott never liked to wait. She was never the most patient person.

Engulfed under a thick blanket, she watched the fire crackle as her red gaze flick to the clock. It ticked, ticked, ticked, causing her irritability to grow.

8:00

Yet there was no knock, no doorbell. She had told him to be sharp. With a frustrated sigh, she threw the blanket away from her shoulders, standing to walk over the cold floors to grab herself a glass of wine to temper herself.

Knock, knock, knock

8:01

Pulling her silky gown closer to herself as she went to the entrance, Summer opened the large, mahogany door. And there he stood. Yet her face remained neutral, her arms crossed over her chest.

"You're late."