Winter still clung onto Hoenn, but the worst of the snow seemed to have passed on for now. Only a cold chill remained in the air on this gorgeous festival day. It was enough for Barnaby to sport a light jacket as he walked through the maze of stalls.

He, too, had come here on business. His network had asked him to organize a small op-ed about the various festivals taking place across Hoenn. The journalist was more than happy to oblige, as he loved to travel and experience new things.

However, despite being so far from Mauville, something familiar caught his eye. At first it was the giant EMBOAR - because how could you miss him? But it was the woman next to him that truly tugged at his curiosity.

Barnaby almost didn't recognize her in her traditional attire. Hair done, makeup pristine, outfit on point. She looked gorgeous.

"Summer?"

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

Her hesitance was noted, but not unexpected given their dynamic. There were still growing pains in their relationship that Barnaby was willing to acknowledge and, with their last night together in mind, more than happy to work through.

The sex had been great, but perhaps there was potential for friendship as well? The festival around them afforded a wonderful opportunity to find out.

"Hey there, Surtur. How are ya, big guy?" Barnaby asked, patting the EMBOAR on its back as he approached Summer.

"What a pleasant surprise to see you so far from home!" As their eyes met, his held an excited spark; Barnaby was genuinely happy to have bumped into Summer like this.

He looked around for a moment, but saw no one associated with the ROCKET close by. With a curious but unconcerned tone he asked, "Are you alone?"

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

His smile widened and his tone became even more upbeat.

"I am, actually! Why don't we enjoy the festival together?"

There were a plethora of booths to entice their curiosity. Knickknacks, clothing, games, fortunetelling, food, and even more besides. The atmosphere was bright and merry - almost infectious.

"I was just about to get something to eat. Join me." Indeed, his eyes did look hungry as they appraised Summer.

The kimono really does suit her, but all the layers will be annoying to...

He cut that thought short. Friendship, Barnaby. Friendship.

Looking up, he sees and smells something worth grabbing his attention. "That karaage stand looks good. Let's check it out!"

And just like that, he was off. Barnaby hoped Summer wouldn't need further prompting to follow, but ultimately it was up to her to accept his invitation or not.

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

Lead he did. Past the crowds and the children running underfoot, until they made it to the front of the karaage stand. The smell of fried chicken swirled around them, enticing and sumptuous. Barnaby ordered two helpings, which came skewered on wooden sticks for ease of eating. He gave one to Summer and retained the other for himself.

Barnaby didn't linger at the stand; instead, he continued walking through the festival, not wanting to miss any of the various attractions. He was sure not to leave Summer behind, though.

"So, you said you were here on business? What sort of business?" The implied question of whether it was ROCKET business or not was fairly obvious.

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

He took a bite, not terribly minding that the food came skewered. It was delicious, after all, and to his Kalosian heart that was all that mattered.

"Pleasure. I enjoy these sorts of things." Barnaby was only half-lying. While work in his public role as a journalist had brought him to the festival, he truly did delight in the uproar and splendor.

There was just something about being surrounded be hundreds of happy humans. He soaked up their joy like a sponge.

His gaze once again fell on Summer; he noticed the annoyance in her eyes, but didn't comment on it. Instead, he offered a compliment that had been pinging around in his head since they'd bumped into each other.

"You look beautiful tonight, by the way."

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

Barnaby watched in surprise as hesitant admissions flowed past Summer's lips. He could feel probing eyes watching their interaction, especially her shaky reply and uncomfortable demeanor.

"I—" Barnaby began, but cut himself short, instead deciding to reach for Summer's hand. "Let's find somewhere more private to talk."

He towed her along after him until a quiet alleyway, adjacent to the festival, presented itself. A light sigh left his mouth as the shadows enveloped them.

Turning, he appraised the woman before him with concerned eyes. "A mistake?"

Eyebrows furrowed, his mind streaming through the catalogue of their encounters.

"I thought we were just having a little fun, Summer. But..." He stepped back, giving her a modicum more space in the tiny alley. "If this isn't something you want, then we can end it here. It was never my intention to do something you didn't want to do."

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉

That was the opposite of what Summer had said.

She felt Barnaby take her hand, a rather gentle touch than the night they had shared, before leading her to an alley. To seclusion. Summer's brain told her that it was a bad idea. She had time to step away, to take her hand from his and walk the other way.

She almost did, and if he felt her flinch in his hold, he surely didn't mention it.

Summer found herself leaning near the brick wall, though she payed mind not to scrap the silk fabric against the surface to ruin it. Her piercing red gaze found the ground, where a few Ratatas scurried off with a Raticate in tow.

"Remember to make eye contact. It is considered rude and will lose deals if you drop your gaze like that," her father's voice chimed in her mind. She slowly drew her gaze back up, listening to him as he spoke.

Though his words were partially muffled, as Summer's mind became preoccupied with what was truly bothering her. Attachment. Finding someone she cared for and losing them. She thought of Casey Fincher, how they whispered sweet nothings to each other. How he told her she was beautiful, how he loved her.

How he wanted a life, with a child, with her. Even after finding out she was in Rocket. He was ready to sacrifice everything and be with her.

Where was Casey?

Things with Barnaby were only meant to be a distraction. To forget about it, perhaps a use until he came back. But he'd been gone for months, and the longer Summer spent with Barnaby, she worried that she might find herself in a similar situation like that again.

Her red eyes glistened with tears, dripping down her cheeks like rain drops as she finally found words to speak.

"It's not that I didn't want to do it. I just..."

Through a harsh exhale, her voice cracking, Summer hid her face.

"Everyone I become close to vanishes. I can't bare it. I might as well cease it before it happens. Don't you understand?"

BARNABY FINCH

☉

Damn.

Watching Summer crumble before him was like a stab to the heart. He would have expected her to literally do that, though, before something like this.

Barnaby reached a hand outward, slowly, gently, so that she could refuse the touch if she wanted to. His palm cupped her cheek, a thumb used to brush away her tears.

"I understand." All too well. How many times had he'd sought connection from his family, only to be pushed away? Kept at arms-reach? Tethered, like a dog, but not loved like one.

It was this feeling of isolation that melded Barnaby into the man he was: desperate for affection, always seeking out attention and limelight. If he wasn't given the recognition he wanted, he'd simply take it.

It seemed he and Summer were travelling along the same broken path, except he was ahead in his journey. While she cried and confessed her woes, her heart bleeding and suffering, all he could do was console her. Barnaby knew her pain, because he'd felt it before.

Resolution only came when his heart had been sealed off, unavailable to those who could hurt it. He still sought connections with others, but not commitment — because how could you be let down if there were no strings attached?

"A sad reality of this ephemeral life." He said softly, his thumb continuing to stroke her cheek. "But you have a choice, Summer. Explicit loneliness or the chance at something more? It's a gamble we all have to take."

Summer Atreides
mission: FESTIVAL FANTASIES

☉