[ Video ]

[elegantinmind]

[ A slender but well-built man in an expensive three-piece suit and slicked back hair comes into focus, expression close to blank bar the crease in the centre of his forehead, which, to anyone who knows what to look for, means that he's worried beneath the cool and collected exterior, brain working hard and faster to keep up with what's going on

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[creativequeen]

Arthur [And Ariadne sounds very relieved as she appears on the video]

Where are you?

[elegantinmind]

[ It's been a while since he last saw her, and something soft crosses over his expression, a soft glint in his eye. ] Ariadne.

[ He looks around him, a tug of amusement lifting at the corner of his mouth, because that's a good question. ] I wish I knew. [ He's frustrated by the fact he doesn't. ] As far as I can tell, I'm in the middle of someone's Latin London dream, and I would like to leave.

[creativequeen]

[He doesn't remember it. Ariadne shuts her eyes briefly so that Arthur will not see any disappointment or pain.]

We aren't in a dream and no one has discovered how to leave. [Unless they just vanish like Arthur had.]

[elegantinmind]

[ He hesitates before speaking, taking this in and rolling it around his mind. ]

Reality. Check. I am fond of my totem, so that's a relief. [ If it was compromised, he would be sad, but he trusts her completely, and if she says that this isn't a dream then he believes it. ] If it's not a dream, then where are we?

[creativequeen]

An alternate universe. [There is a physics nerd hidden somewhere in there.] A number of theories are correct.

[She pauses.]

Where are, I can explain it over coffee?

[elegantinmind]

[ Arthur appears to take this well, and whereas he might throw someone a look as if to deem them insane for saying such a thing, this is Ariadne claiming something absurd and yet he accepts it.

He turns the device around, allowing her to see the surroundings better, and he speaks the Latin name of the street. ]

My fear of entering an alternative universe and discovering coffee doesn't exist is easing up. Are you close by?

[creativequeen]

My apartment is five minute away. [Ariadne sets her device down long enough to pull on a scarf and coat, before she walks out the door.]

The coffee is nearly as good as Paris here.

[elegantinmind]

You have your own place? [ How long has she been here? He doesn't ask, not yet, and waits patiently where he is, leaning against a wall stiffly, keeping his eyes peeled. ]

Really? My luck's picking up, and here I was starting to think all was lost.

[creativequeen]

Yes, I did not want to live on the streets.

[Ariadne walks quickly down the road. Her smile is tentative when she sees him. She isn't sure how to react to him. Going up, looking for a kiss or hug would be too much familiarity.]

Arthur, hi.

[elegantinmind]

[ The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile at that. It's been a while since he last saw her, and he's missed her playful humour.

He clicks off the feed once he spots her coming closer, pushes himself away from the wall, and he looks her over, genuinely pleased to see her. ]

Hi, Ariadne. [ The smile grows. ] You mentioned coffee? Something tells me I'll need to be sitting down for this.

[creativequeen]

[Ariadne smile matches his and she falls into step with him.] Probably. Eames needed a few drinks to deal with it.

[elegantinmind]

Eames is here? [ Friendly faces never hurt, and he walks at a casual pace, tears his gaze between her and their surroundings. ] Something stronger will probably come later, but I'll wait until I hear you out before I do anything drastic.

[creativequeen]

Yes, he is here, no one else from the team is.

You can borrow my couch until you get sorted here. [She leads the way across the street to small coffee shop on the corner.] I'm paying. What do you want?

[elegantinmind]

That's a threesome I can live with. [ He's secretly relieved that Cobb isn't here, the last month without following him around the world's been relaxing. ]

You're on. I promise I'll leave it in tact. [ He opens the door and holds it open for her, follows her in. ] Black, no sugar. I won't break your bank account.

[creativequeen]

[There is unmistakably some colour on her cheeks when he says threesome. Ariadne makes herself busy by ordering the coffee, plus sandwiches. Sorry Arthur but she figures you need something in your stomach.]

I would be more worried about my sofa if Eames was borrowing it.

[elegantinmind]

[ He looks down and to the side, a smirk clearly there, but he wipes it away quickly, not wanting to embarrass her too much. He isn't that cruel. ]

Chicken salad, my favourite. [ He helps her take the stuff over to a table and sits down, makes himself comfortable enough. ] If Eames was staying on your couch, I'd be more concerned about what he'd try on with you never mind your furniture.