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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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Then maybe you should explain yourself so my little girl brain can understand the big boy games you're playing.

This isn't a game. I just took you to Barcelona. I thought you wanted to go.

[He's starting to look...kind of annoyed]

Don't act like I'm doing this to play with you.

[She takes in what he's saying, and her annoyance begins to fade to a sort of disbelief, then maybe a little hurt.

She'd kind of rather be angry with him and think he's a jerk who's been toying with her emotions. It's easier to handle than what appears to be a simple misunderstanding.]

You're serious. Barcelona, and dinner, and the dress, and asking me out and everything, that's just... being nice.

Well, being nice might be an understatement.

[That gets the eyeroll of the century.] What would you call it, then?

It's not something I like to define.

I'm sorry I've screwed that up by being so confused, then. [She glances around, then starts digging in her bag to find money to pay for her drink.]

Are you leaving?

...Yes? [Her face pretty clearly says 'what else am I supposed to do when I don't know what the hell you mean by anything you say anymore?']

Sit down, Ariadne.

[That earns him a glare, but she does it anyway. But it's not just because he told her to. That's not why she does anything. As Arthur should know.]

I spent two years making sure Cobb didn't kill himself. Before that, I spent my life focused on my job.

I haven't had anything outside my job since I left the military. There's a reason that my best friend is my boss.

[She studies his face as he speaks.] Those're the choices you made, it seems to me. Is that supposed to be some kind of explanation for your behavior?

They are my choices. Why don't you have a boyfriend, Ariadne? It's not because of me.

I would never suggest that it was. [She frowns at him.] I'm not looking for a boyfriend, if that's what you think. I - [Does she really have to tell him that she likes him and enjoys spending time with him? She thought that was self-evident.]

I think I enjoy spending time with you, and I'd like you to like spending time with me.

I do. I wouldn't go to Barcelona with someone I thought was boring.

I guess I'm just saying... I also don't usually accept extravagant gifts, or go out to dinner at a restaurant that requires me to wear a dress and makeup with someone I consider just a work buddy, or even a good friend.

[He leans back against his chair]

Would you rather I didn't offer?

[How to say this in a way that won't either make her sound like a bitch, or a stupid little girl?]

I'm not - You can offer whatever you want, and if I'm interested, I'll accept. I'm just saying that... there are certain motivations implied - at least, to me - when certain offers are made.

All right.

[Sometimes she really just wants to hit him.

Instead, for the moment, she just gives a long-suffering sigh.]

Look, okay, you're not interested. I get it now. Water under the bridge.

[Oh, Ariadne. It's more complicated than that. He just takes a drink]

You could give me some kind of cogent response, you know.

I feel like I'm having a conversation with myself, and you're just watching.

I'm sorry.

And you're surprised I don't feel like I know you very well?