Reginald, the stuffed dinosaur that Sebastian wins for Quincy at the summer festival, starts as a symbol of their rivalry but eventually signals a softer, more playful dynamic between them. When Sebastian learns of Quincy’s fear of heights on the Ferris wheel, he offers her the dinosaur, transforming the prize from a trophy of his victory into a gesture of care, mirroring the shift in their dynamic from a competitive rivalry to a relationship where they can be vulnerable with one another. Quincy’s acceptance of the gift, and her decision to name it, signals her willingness to engage with this new, gentler side of Sebastian. The dinosaur becomes a tangible representation of their unspoken agreement to set aside their differences and connect on a more human level.

The symbol’s significance deepens when Sebastian discovers Quincy sleeping with the toy. When he comes to check on her after she’s injured during a storm, he notices Reginald on her bed, which Quincy refers to as “[her] emotional support dinosaur” (178). This private moment reveals a vulnerability and affection that Quincy isn’t yet ready to admit aloud. By keeping Reginald close, she subconsciously acknowledges the comfort and safety she associates with Sebastian. The stuffed animal, initially a symbol of a public truce, becomes a private symbol of their growing emotional attachment. It represents the quiet, unguarded feelings developing beneath the surface of their still-combative exterior, foreshadowing the love that will eventually overpower their rivalry.