fete au Paris (open, dreamscapes!verse)

[chesstotem]

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!]

Comments

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

Eames nodded, entirely in agreement. "It's too easy to give up with a new opportunity like that. I'm glad she's sticking with both though, it would be a shame to lose a talent like that. In more ways than one for you, I'm sure." Oh yeah, about that secret. Eames figured it out hours ago.

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

Yes, well, just as Ariadne had, Arthur breezes right past the pointed comment. "She'll be better for having the degree, being established, though I'm sure she would have gone far without it."

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

For Ariadne, brushing past the point was simple. Eames had let her. Arthur though, was not going to be getting any special treatment. "How long did you think it would take me to figure how that you're sleeping with our dear graduate?"

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

Arthur's expression didn't change at all--he even took a moment to turn his eyes from the crowd to Eames, a moment in which he mostly considered and discarded the idea of playing dumb. "I had bets on at least two weeks as business days go." His tone walked the edge between annoyed and amused. "What gave it away?"

He asked because if he knew, then he could remedy it.

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

If Arthur had decided to play dumb, Eames would have been disappointed. Dumb was just not a good look for him, and Eames expected honesty above all else from this particular man. "Body language," He said casually, looking around at the crowd. "I've been here longer than you think, and you're not exactly the best actor, Arthur,"

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

The comment stiffened Arthur's shoulders and he put his champagne on a passing tray, crossing his arms over his chest. "Excuse me if I don't make a living being someone else. I think we're doing good enough."

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

"Good enough is variable." Eames stated, taking another champagne glass from a passing tray, handing it to Arthur. He much preferred the man mildly intoxicated to entirely sober, and this was good champagne. "I would make a cradle robbing joke, but its a bit overdone."

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

"And thank God for that," Arthur muttered--into the glass as he drank. Eames was always easier to handle when he was mildly intoxicated. "You do realize that she's more than legal? I know twenty-three must seem incredibly far from your age, though."

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

"You would know," He rebuttaled, taking another drink of his own champagne that was running painfully low. Three years ago, at the turning point, his age might have been an issue, but now he could deflect as well as anyone. "And she may be more than legal, but she hardly looks it. And, despite what the general public wants to think, looks really do matter."

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

Arthur was still a year from that fabled turning point and he didn't consider the six years between he and Ariadne an insurmountable gap. "Is that why you shaved today?" There was a close-lipped smile for that.

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

"That is exactly why I shaved today, thank you for noticing," He replied with a smile, one that reeked of the unsaid truth. You're not getting him riled up that easily, Arthur, you're going to have to try better than that.

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

It was harder with a flush from the champagne; the glass 3/4ths gone, Arthur put it back on a table's side. "Anyway, despite pandering to the status quo, Eames, we both know very well that none of care or we wouldn't be doing what we're doing."

[perfectforgery.livejournal.com]

Eames nodded in agreement, taking a last sip of his glass and looking around for a waitress. He knew that was true, and had very little problem with any of Arthur and Ariadne's goings on, but it was just too fun to pick. "I hope she's lovely at it, then, if you're going to keep it up."

[thesecurity.livejournal.com]

Arthur sighed. "You're exaggerating. And honestly, this isn't the place to be talking about it so--thank you for your always exquisite timing, Mr Eames." He pushed himself off the wall, shaking his head. He'd go find Miles; Cobb's father-in-law seemed handy when wanting to elude the company of Forgers.