Somehow, someway, she had gotten paid for her last job in free spa day coupons as opposed to cold hard cash or wired transfer. Maybe she was feeling generous, or maybe the spa in question was top of the line and well worth the trade off. Whatever the case, she comes fully-prepared to spend pretty much the entire weekend basking in the warmth of good vibes, feet massages, hot rocks on her back, wine in hand. Y'know, the whole shebang.

What she isn't expecting, however, is for her to be paired up at some point in her escapade for some sort of couples session. She was arguably drunk enough to say yes to anything they had to offer, drunk off mushy muscles and wrinkly skin and the booze in her left hand. New year, new Remi. Not really.

"Huh-huh--" she chuckles, probably burps, and points at the young man in the water. Blonde hair, blue eyes, virtually unrecognizable outside of every similar white boy. Nothing out of the ordinary.. except.. "You're the boy toy from the news network, aren't you? God, I hate you guys."

But she plunks herself down in the water across from him, sighing heavily as the hot water rises to kiss her chin.

BARNABY FINCH

☉

Just as Barnaby was beginning to really key into the whole peace and rejuvenation thing, a commotion near the entrance to the bathhouse disrupts him. It sounded like someone stumbling about... well, more accurately, a woman stumbling right on over to where he was lounging.

Remi? Here, of all places? What were the fucking odds of this shit happening?

Despite this realization, Barnaby's expression remained neutral. She didn't seem to recognize him. He'd play along, for now.

"Boy toy at your service. However, I normally go by Barnaby Finch." He replied, trying his best to deflect Remi's hostility with a shining smile and a companionable tone to his voice.

"Hate me? Well, I guess I can't win over every heart in Hoenn." He sighed half-heartedly, shrugging.

Remi Cassel
mission: NEW YEAR, NEW ME

☉

"Mmm.. Barnaby Finch, yeah? Interesting name."

She sinks deeper into the water, cracking one eye open to gaze at the man. Her brow raises and she smirks, proceeding to waggle them across the hot spring to him. He was cute, even if the steam and the alcohol interfered with her vision.

"I don't know about that, love. A face like that.. maybe I could be swayed."

BARNABY FINCH

☉

"Is it?" He mused, smirking back at her. "What's your name, then?"

Barnaby already knew, of course, but he was curious. Maybe Remi went by another alias when not on ROCKET business?

As they talked, he began to relax back into the water. Perhaps this wasn't such a bad situation after all. She was drunk and flirty, per usual. This could even be fun.

Raising a brow, he extended his arm and flexed his index finger, beckoning her over.

"I can't exactly sway you from so far away. Come closer."

Remi Cassel
mission: NEW YEAR, NEW ME

☉

"Mmm.." she slips slightly, drunkenly grinning as warm water laps at her chin. When it touches her lips, however, she sits up a little bit straighter and blinks one eye open lazily. Her smile grows, she exhales, she laughs.

"Remi."

And her attention on him fixates when he sinks deeper. With him comfortable, she feels something familiar tug at him. He holds out his arm, flexes his finger, and she is spurred into action. How could she say no? The purr in his voice begs for her to come closer, and without hesitation she does.

Water splashes and she's clumsy and she is unceremonious when she plops down into his lap. Her brow raises, her eyes narrow, and her smirk is predatory.

"Hi."

BARNABY FINCH

☉

Why was he not surprised? Of course Remi would take his call as an open invitation. As she plopped in his lap, Barnaby just shook his head and smiled up at her.

"Hi."

The warmth of the bathwater had been comforting up to this point, but having such a beautiful woman this close made Barnaby hot. As she settled in against his chest, his eyes indulged in their proximity - appraising the fitness of her body, the attractive luster of her hair, her unfocused gaze... hm. The smell of alcohol suddenly hit him.

Yep, not surprising.

Barnaby placed his right arm over Remi's knees, steadying her and hopefully preventing any drunken clumsiness.

"Now, Remi. Tell me."

He titled his head as he looked up at her, his voice slightly teasing.

"Why do you hate guys like me?"

Remi Cassel
mission: NEW YEAR, NEW ME

☉

Her smile widens at his greeting, and the heat between them only manages to leave her wanting more. With one hand on his chest, she is not shy about where her fingers travel, sliding slowly up, taking her tome to memorize the canvas. She breathes in slowly, too, leaning in just the slightest bit.

She can feel his arm smooth against her legs to hold her in place-- but when she does she shifts, painfully slow with the intent to tease. One leg brushes across his lap and she sighs at the sound of her name, satisfaction purring as she resettles to straddle him easier.

"Because.." she whispers, brushing her thumb gently against his bottom lip. "You have a way with words but nothing to back it up. Sources, quotes, recordings, sure-- but where's the action?"

BARNABY FINCH

☉