for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

The only thing more cathartic than drawing, in Ariadne's experience, was shooting at things. And after the week she'd had, she needed to shoot some things.

She'd gone into this assignment, bright-eyed and ready to bring down the bad guys. They'd assembled her identity, using her own background in design to get her an in with their cooperative witness, Miles.

But Ariadne hadn't counted on enjoying the dream sharing as much as she had - not after three years of being repulsed by the very idea of it. Nor had she counted on liking the team - Cobb, charismatic but broken; Eames, oozing charm from every pore; Yusuf, a bit absent-minded but genuinely kind; Arthur, always in control but barely concealing something wild and dark.

And now she'd just found out her job wasn't done. Her assignment was going to continue - Cobb and the others, they'd realized, weren't the kingpins they had originally thought. Ariadne was a little relieved, but now they were expecting her to keep her cover, try to get as much information from them as she could. For how long, she didn't know.

The thought made her nervous. So she did the only thing that could help relieve some of her tension - she went to the shooting range. She was intent on the paper target in front of her, putting bullet holes right in the center of the chest.

Comments

[chesstotem]

She shrugged. "Fair's fair. Like I said, I'm sure you know everything about me, right? I mean, you had to have done a background check on me."

[isnt_the_same]

"I have," he said. "You became an orphan when you were eight and then you were taken in by your aunt," Arthur recited as if he was reading off a list.

[chesstotem]

"Sounds pretty basic when you put it like that," she commented lightly.

[isnt_the_same]

He shrugged. "It's just fact."

[chesstotem]

"I guess I'm just glad you like me for who I am," she joked, just as someone knocked on the door of the hotel suite. "I assume that's our food."

[isnt_the_same]

He grinned as he heard the knock on the door. Arthur stood up and went to answer it. After tipping the employee who brought their food, Arthur wheeled in the cart. "There or at the table?" He nodded in the direction of a small dining table in the corner.

[chesstotem]

"Table, I think. It's spaghetti, so it could get messy."

[isnt_the_same]

"Alright." He wheeled the cart over and started setting the table.

[chesstotem]

She joined him at the table. "So, is there a sexy lady thief in your life, or anything like that?" she asked, though she knew she probably shouldn't.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur laughed and shook his head. Truth be told, these personal questions were making him a little flustered. "Uh, no. There's not sexy lady thief in my life."

[chesstotem]

She nodded, not sure how else to respond to that. "Well, I was right. This food is way better than anything in my apartment right now."

[isnt_the_same]

"Yeah," he said in agreement as he ate his spaghetti.

[chesstotem]

"Thanks," she said eventually. "I mean, I'm really flattered that you want to keep working with me. I appreciate everything you've done for me."

In a way, that was true, though she also felt a little guilty - for saying it, for taking advantage of the fact that he thought she was talented enough to want to keep working with her.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur gave her a genuine smile. "Well, you're welcome. But even without me, you'd still find work."

[chesstotem]

"Maybe, but you've taught me so much..." She trailed off with a smile and a shrug. "I'm only as good as my teacher."

[isnt_the_same]

"Flatterer," he stated before wiping his mouth with his napkin.

[chesstotem]

"I'm serious!" she laughed. "You're a really good teacher."

[isnt_the_same]

"Thank you, Ariadne. I appreciate it."

[chesstotem]

She nodded a little, focusing on her food for a while. "So, do most people in the business work with exclusive partners, or is that just something you prefer?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Some have teams, some freelance. For me, it's just a preference," he replied.

[chesstotem]

She nodded again. "I can understand wanting to have someone to trust, on every job."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur shrugged. "You shouldn't trust anyone completely n this business, not even me."

[chesstotem]

"Okay, I'll keep that in mind." She knew it was true. "Still, you know what I mean."

[isnt_the_same]

"I do," he said with a nod.

[chesstotem]

"So, where, exactly, is this job, anyway?" she asked with a laugh. "Here in Paris?"