for isnt_the_same

[chesstotem]

The night Ariadne met Aubrey, things didn't turn out as they were supposed to. It started out just fine - they met in the bar they'd agreed on, chatted inside for a while about nonsense like the weather, then stepped outside to talk business.

It was as though the dark figure had been waiting for them - Aubrey was right in the middle of a sentence when suddenly a tall figure swooped in out of nowhere and descended on her like a rabid dog. Ariadne screamed as the person - thing - whatever it was - ripped her throat out, and the next thing she knew she was running blindly back towards the street, something warm trickling down her temple. The time that followed was fuzzy - she knew she must've ran for a while, because she was out of breath, but then she was in a cab (the cabbie was giving her a funny look, maybe to do with that warm trickle), and then she was at a hotel, getting more funny looks as she stumbled into the elevator.

Then she was pounding on Arthur's door, praying to whatever gods might be listening that he was inside.

Comments

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur looked up at her for a moment. "Maybe." Probably since she was suppose to be the mark, but who ever got there got the wrong girl.

[chesstotem]

She glanced at him again, just looking frightened. "What do I do?"

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur sighed again, but not out of frustration. "You let me take care of this."

[chesstotem]

"But what if he comes after you?" she whispered.

[isnt_the_same]

"Don't worry about me, alright?" He looked away from her and to his book.

[chesstotem]

"But I do," she said. "You don't even believe what I saw. What'll happen if he comes after you? I know Aubrey was armed; she didn't even have time to draw her weapon..."

[isnt_the_same]

"I'm more than capable handling anyone," he assured her. "So don't worry about me."

[chesstotem]

"No, you're not," she insisted. Picturing Arthur in Aubrey's place made her sick to her stomach. "Please, Arthur. Please. Don't - don't go looking for him."

[isnt_the_same]

"Ariadne," he said, raising his voice a little. "Go to sleep. And stop worrying. You'll only make yourself sick."

[chesstotem]

"I can't," she said helplessly. "What if he comes after you? I can't go to anyone else; why would anyone believe me?"

[isnt_the_same]

"Fine, I believe you, alright?" He scowled at her.

[chesstotem]

"No, you don't," she said, starting to cry again. "He'll kill you, Arthur. He'll find you, and tear your throat out, and then what will I do?"

[isnt_the_same]

He ran a hand down his face, got up, and walked over to her. "I promise you that nothing will happen to me or to you. Rest. You need it."

[chesstotem]

"I can't," she admitted tearfully. "Every time I close my eyes, I see it." She grabbed his hand, used now to the coldness of it. "Please don't leave me."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur blinked at her before sitting down on the edge of the coffee table in front of her. "I won't leave."

[chesstotem]

She carefully kissed the back of his hand, just needing some contact with someone she felt like she could trust. "I care about you," she admitted hesitantly. "I could never stop worrying, because I care about you."

[isnt_the_same]

Arthur looked away. "I care about you, too, that's why I want you to stop worrying and let me take care of this."

[chesstotem]

She nodded. "I'll always worry. I'm sorry. I'd try to do just about anything you asked of me, but I can't do that. So please... just be careful. Please don't assume if you have a gun you'll be safe. I know how good you are. I wouldn't be telling you this if I thought it was just some guy. I don't know who or what I saw, but it's more dangerous than you are."

[isnt_the_same]

"I can be just as dangerous," he said quietly, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. "But you should sleep."

[chesstotem]

"Just please... Promise me. Promise me you'll treat it as though you believe me. Even if you don't really." She was exhausted, but she knew she wouldn't be able to get any rest until she knew Arthur would really take her story seriously.

[isnt_the_same]

He looked at her intently for a few seconds before nodding. "I promise."

[chesstotem]

"Thank you." She remained facing him, clutching his hand as she finally started to relax a little. If nothing else, her body wasn't capable of maintaining that level of tension for much longer. "Thank you."

[isnt_the_same]

"You're welcome," he replied quietly. Arthur kept his eyes on her, hearing her heart beat in his ears slow down.

[chesstotem]

Eventually, finally, she relaxed into sleep, though it was probably only a matter of time before another nightmare woke her.

[isnt_the_same]

Once Arthur was sure she had fallen asleep, he had let go of her hand and went to sit in the arm chair again with his book.

And when she woke up again, Arthur looked up at her.