chesstotem | fete au Paris (open, dreamscapes!verse)

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fete au Paris (open, dreamscapes!verse)

Time might work differently in dreams, but it was even weirder when an event both anticipated and feared was approaching. The past week or so had occasionally felt to Ariadne like it was speeding along at a breakneck pace towards a barrier, while at the same time crawling up a tall mountain.

And then, almost as soon as it arrived, it was over. Her thesis defense was successful, and the following afternoon she and two of Miles's other students received their degrees.

The mistress of labyrinths was now a master of architecture.

Miles knew how to throw a party. The entire upper floor of a trendy Paris restaurant had been rented out for the occasion - there was lots of food, and even more champagne, to toast Ariadne and her two classmates.

Lots of people were invited, of course, but there were a few in particular Ariadne was especially excited to see. Not that she was waiting, or anything. She was already on her second glass of champagne.

[Okay, this is mostly for dreamscape!verse folks, but anyone else who might reasonably be expected to be invited is welcome, as well as potential party-crashers! Threadhopping is not only encouraged, it is essentially mandatory, so have at it!]

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Ariadne had been watching for him, of course. She wasn't a bit surprised when he was late, not after meeting the two little balls of energy that were his kids the other day - she knew they would put up a hearty fight.

So when she spotted him, Ariadne dropped what she was doing (just a boring conversation with a couple of classmates about Roman aqueducts) and crossed the room to greet him.

"You didn't have to get me a gift, you know," she said with a grin.

He offered the package first. Pleased to see her, the other day had been quite fun, for the kids as well as himself.

"Of course I didn't have to, but I couldn't resist." Dom smiled warmly. "You know, of all the things you proved to be good at, I think finishing this impressed me most."

"Really?" She tilted her head at him, taking the offered package. "I did, you know, think about just... dropping out. I could've stayed in L.A., or gone to New York or something, because, god, after all that..." She didn't have to say any more about 'all that', because Dom knew as well as she did, better than anyone, what it had been like, what they'd been through. What they'd shared.

"But that's just not who I am. I love the dreams, and I'm grateful you led me to that, but I also learned to stay close to what's real."

"That's what makes this the right choice." They all needed to be grounded into something. For Dom, even when his mind spun out of control, his children had been his guide back to reality. The stronger life they had here, the less likely they were to get lost in a dream.

"Yeah." She had her family, of course, her parents and her brother. And Arthur, he was a good anchor. Just the sound of his voice could - She shook herself a little.

"Arthur's here already, somewhere. I think he was comparing paranoia notes with Olivia; they seemed to hit it off really well." She paused. "And Eames, he's here, too."

He shifted and glanced to the side at the mention of his partner. The last time he'd seen Arthur, some uncomfortable truths had come to light. He still wasn't so sure things would be alright between them. But for now, they had to stay in place. For Ariadne and for sanity's sake, if nothing else.

"I'm sure I'll find them eventually." And Eames would be a welcome diversion. The game between Dom and the Forger was still establishing rules.

Ariadne could sense the increased tension in Cobb when she mentioned Arthur. She'd thought something was a little off, talking to Arthur earlier, but Arthur's poker face was way better than Cobb's, so Cobb was just confirming it.

Something had happened between the two of them - it didn't seem to have to do with her, no animosity was directed her way, so it was something else.

She'd probably ask Arthur about it later. For now, this was her party, and she knew they wouldn't let any problems between them get in the way of her big day. "So, what did you get me?" She asked, ripping open the paper-covered package in her hands.

He knew he was showing some strain from the morning, but he was grateful that she opted not to grill him over it. He would have to remember to give Ariadne a drink next time she took a casual jaunt through his deepest secrets. Maybe it would make her less curious.

"I thought you might need a replacement." The chess set was an Antique Ivory collection. He'd had help picking it out, but thought of her immediately when he saw it.

He still had a lot to learn about Ariadne if he thought a little alcohol would lessen her curiosity. She just wasn't the kind of person to drag someone's dirty laundry out in public - she would wait until he was alone, his defences down, before sticking her nose in that kettle of fish.

Besides, she was willing to be distracted by the gift - and it was a lovely chess set. It almost took her breath away. "Wow. This is... beautiful. Thanks." She could feel the bishop warm against her thigh, the one she'd hollowed out herself. She'd sewn a makeshift pocket into the skirt so she could have it on her tonight, and she was glad she had.

"My step-dad taught me how to play chess, a long time ago, when he first came into my life," she said, offering up something in exchange for the thoughtful gift. "It always makes me think about all the good things he brought my mom and me."

It would be trial by error, he was sure of it. But eventually Dom would find something to thwart her.

He smiled, glad to see that she liked the gift. And, to someone with an equally curious nature, Dom wondered about the personal information shared. He tilted his head and took a small step closer, just segmenting them from intrusion with body language that said they were having a closed discussion.

"A good man?" There was also the professional interest. The subject of father's and children being of some importance to him.

"Yeah, he is." She shrugged a little. "I never knew my real dad, he split before I was born. Grant raised me from the time I was three." She thought for a moment, then ventured something else. "He's a really cheerful guy, hardly ever shows when he's having a tough time. But even when I was little, I could always tell when he had a bad day. I'd follow him into his office and he'd teach me chess or do puzzles with me."

"Is that where you get your own cheer from?" The puzzles had paid off, at least for Dom it had. He wondered if Ariadne was really going to be happy doing the things he did. That was a question best not asked now though. Not after integrating her into the upcoming job.

As one of the waitresses passed with a tray of glasses, he picked off two.

She laughed a little, taking the proferred glass of champagne. She wasn't drinking quite as much as she pretended to be, but she was feeling pretty good. "Maybe. I grew up pretty lucky. Supportive family, and all." If Cobb was questioning her feelings now, he was just going to have to keep on questioning. It was her choice, and hers alone. She knew what she was getting into. The building, it made her happy. It freed her. The ability to ignore the rules, for a time, in the dream, that was extraordinary. She couldn't imagine ever giving it up, or giving up the people she'd met - Cobb, Eames - Arthur. Especially not Arthur.

Who's to say that second glass hadn't been for Dom himself? But he thought it was nice that she was having a good time regardless.

"Any chance of meeting the family? I think it's only fair, since you've co-opted Miles' attention." Dom teased lightly.

"I'm sure you'll meet them at some point. Unfortunately, they couldn't make it out here for my graduation. I'm going to fly home this weekend for a few days, I'm pretty sure they'll be throwing me the biggest party Hudson, New York has seen in a long time." She gave him a wry smile.

"They'll be happy to see you. Though I'm sure there are more than a few that will be less thrilled with idea of you leaving." Dom wondered if Arthur was nearby. It was interesting, how easily Dom missed the obvious until he'd been told. But then again, it hadn't been something he would have considered.

He glanced around to locate Arthur, she said something about Agent Dunham being here as well. A lady that Dom was growing more fond of talking with.

"Speaking of which, what did Arthur get for you?" The Point Man never did tell him what his gift would be.

"Oh, he got me this really nice watch, actually." She'd put it on right away when he gave it to her, telling him this would probably be the only time she remembered to wear it - Ariadne did not, as a rule, wear watches. She showed it to Cobb now. It was really nice, pricey. And it kept two timezones. Ariadne couldn't help but smile a little at the inside joke - she'd called him a couple of times in the States, at ungodly hours, and he'd threatened to get her a watch to keep track of two timezones. So he'd done just that.

"It will come to be very useful, I'm sure." He turned her wrist lightly, checking the watch, knowing that it was sure to be of a high quality. Arthur would never give anything less.

He puzzled over his glass and wondered if now was the best time. "Ariadne.. I had an interesting conversation with him this morning." Omitting the shared nightmare, and the last guilty confessions, Dom skipped to the end.

"You're seeing Arthur?"

It actually took a moment for Ariadne to register the question, because, well, they'd decided not to tell Cobb yet.

She could feel her face go red and she glanced around to collect her thoughts. Arthur had told Cobb without consulting her. He'd taken the choice from her and dumped it in her lap with no preparation!

"Yeah," she finally said, looking at Cobb again. "For a couple months, off and on."

He hadn't expected to take her off guard with that, but it was apparent that he had. Dom hid a small smile behind another sip and then set his glass down on another passing tray.

"I don't intent to trespass into your personal business, but I'm happy for the both of you."

"Thanks," she said, staring at her own glass, still a little flustered. At least he was taking it well, she supposed. "I'm pretty happy with the arrangement." And she was, of course, she was just... kind of annoyed with Arthur now.

"Arrangement?" Dammit, Cobb, don't ask. But trying to halt his sense of curiosity was like trying to divert hers. "Hopefully it's a little more than that."

It was none of his business, whatever it was. Perhaps it was time for a second drink for the Extractor.

She bit her lip. "We haven't really discussed what it is, yet. Dating, I guess." She wondered what the hell Arthur had said to Cobb, exactly, and part of her wanted to find the guy and smack him for not warning her about this.

He nodded a little, finding that something more acceptable than a casual agreement of some kind. Dom was very aware of just how controlling he had a tendency to be. He'd do his best to stay out of it, but of course, instincts were hard to ignore.

"Let me change the subject before things get too uncomfortable." Dom briefly squeezed her hand and then continued his survey of the room. "There are two small terrors that would like to say good bye to you before you leave for home."

She was glad for the change of subject, though it was good to know Cobb was okay with them - whatever it was they had, anyway.

"I will be more than happy to give my love to the little terrors one last time before I leave," she said with a smile. She'd never had any particular maternal instinct, or fondness for children, but Phillipa and James were clever and energetic - James especially reminded Ariadne of herself, a little.

fete au Paris (open, dreamscapes!verse)

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