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

[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?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Hong Kong," he replied. "Can you get away for two weeks? If not, you can always design the dreamscape and I can come here so you can teach it to me."

[chesstotem]

"I can go, sure," she said with a nod. She was technically enrolled still at the academy in Paris - it had to be legit, considering someone of Arthur's skill would be looking into her background, but it didn't actually mean anything. Besides, the opportunity to go to Hong Kong, maybe meet some more of his contacts, she would be remiss to pass that up.

[isnt_the_same]

"Okay. I'll book your flights and hotel accommodations," he said before finishing up his food.

When she was finished as well, he turned to her. "Will you be okay getting back to your apartment?"

[chesstotem]

"I'll be fine," she said dismissively. She'd been in Paris for almost a year now, setting up her identity. And she knew how to take care of herself.

"Do you want to do the, uh, husband and wife thing in Hong Kong, then?" she asked, standing to gather her things.

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur stood up as well, his manners never faltering. “In public, yes. Don’t worry, I’ll get us a suite with two bedrooms,” he said with a grin.

[chesstotem]

She could feel herself flushing a little, and tried to hide it by busying herself digging through her purse - for what, she wasn't sure. "I wasn't worried, I just... wanted to be clear what our alias was going to be, is all."

[isnt_the_same]

"Right." He nodded and walked her to the door. "By the way, do you own a gun?"

[chesstotem]

"Yes, a Beretta," she admitted. "Told you, I'm a bit paranoid about self-defense."

[isnt_the_same]

He smiled again. "Just making sure.

"Do you have everything?"

[chesstotem]

She looked up at him with a smile. "I think so. You'll call me with all the travel plans, I take it?"

[isnt_the_same]

"I will."

He held out his hand. "See you soon, partner."

[chesstotem]

She smiled a little, and shook his hand. "Sure thing. Partner."

[isnt_the_same]

He laughed and opened the door for her.