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(no subject)

WHO:

specifythepoint
WHERE: A bar near Arthur's condo.
WHEN: This evening.
WARNINGS: None, unless you count drinking and probably some massive awkwardness and misunderstandings.
SUMMARY: Two people, having a drink. Is it a date? Your guess is as good as mine.
FORMAT: Action spam.

[Okay, so asking her out for a drink is unexpected, but that good kind of unexpected. And if she throws on a little lipstick, and fluffs her hair a bit, well, who can blame her, really?

He was right - the bar is hardly a dive (she doesn't think there are any in this part of the City), but it's not the sort of place where she'd be expected to show up in a slinky little dress. Which is a bit of a relief, because Ariadne has never been able to pull off that kind of look.

She finds a table towards the back, but with a good view of the door so she can spot him when he comes in.]

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[He comes in a few minutes later, sleek but not wearing his usual three-piece today. Instead he has on a button up and a pair of slacks with a light jacket over it, still designer, still Arthur, but dressed down a bit. He spots her and slides into the seat beside her]

You haven't been waiting for long, right?

[She smiles at his approach - talk about meeting in the middle, her dressing up just a bit and him dressing down.] Not at all. I haven't even ordered a drink yet.

[Time for a conversation opener, Ariadne.] So, either Eames didn't trash your place or he's very good at cleaning up after himself. Which one is your money on?

[He signals for a waiter]

I think it's a pretty even mix of both, in this case.

[Ariadne orders a gin and tonic.] I have to admit, the way he talks sometimes, he has me worried about eating off the tables. You'll probably want to have all your bedsheets dry-cleaned.

[He orders a scotch on the rocks]

Did he tell you something in particular?

[She snorts, rather unladylike.] No. When does he ever? He likes to imply things and make people squirm. I'm talking as a precaution.

Luckily I put out a throwaway pair before we left.

[Frown]

Although I really don't like the idea of him sleeping in my bed at all.

[She raises her eyebrows a little.] I guess there's only one solution to that problem.

[A pause: he's waiting for her answer]

You'll just have to buy a new bed.

Though, I bet Eames would say he'd get more use out of it than you do.

[A shrug as they get their drinks]

And your suggestions of what to do with the old one?

[She laughs.] Give it to the Salvation Army?

I go through two bed before you've even had one.

Is that your passive-aggressive way of telling me I need to be looking for somewhere else to live? [She joking - sort of. It hasn't been a topic of discussion since her arrival in the City. She assumes at some point she'll want to find her own place to live, if only on principal.

But he did just take her to Barcelona.]

[A moment; he's surprised]

I'd kick Eames out before I'd kick you out.

So I can just... Sleep on your floor as long as I want, and next time I mention wanting to see Venice, you'll just...take me, like you did with Barcelona? [She tilts her head curiously and takes a sip of her drink.]

I really don't like Venice very much.

[He takes a drink]

You should make Eames sleep on the floor at least once. Don't let him convince you it's bad for his back.

[Ariadne rolls her eyes a little.] You're just being obtuse now, Arthur.

[He eyes her for a moment]

What did this trip mean to you?

[She takes a drink, suddenly afraid she might need a lot more by the time the night is over.] A guy I like took me to Barcelona.

No one's ever done that before, have they?

[SON OF A BITCH EAMES WAS RIGHT]

Um, no. Is that a normal sort of thing to do in your world?

I mean, with people who aren't romantically involved? [Because there's no point beating around the bush anymore - the signals he's been giving off are decidedly mixed, and it would be crazy to keep playing this game.

Of course, he might actually be playing a game with her.]

[P A U S E]

I took Eames to London.

[P A U S E]

[She looks highly skeptical.]

You took Eames to London on a whim? Because he casually mentioned to you that he's never been there and wanted to see it?

You took him to dinner and bought him a new, perfectly-tailored suit for the occasion?

[Quiet, now]

No, that wasn't it. But I did go to Venice with Zatanna. Before you got here. I bought her a dress, and we went to dinner.