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[ For now, because Cobb will get back to his kids. Be their primary caretaker, be their father and not just an absent one on the run. The optimistic part of Arthur wants to believe it can be done. That the evidence left behind by Mal could be overturned and Dom would be allowed to set foot stateside again. Permanently.
The more rational pat of him knows it's going to be a long haul, a slim chance. That they're going to have to keep their sanity intact amidst paranoia and the feeling of something always being at their heels. It's fine, he tells himself, he can handle this.
Nodding at Dom's brief outline, he comes over to the small coffee table, where there's a second drink fixed and set out. Ungracefully, he sets down in the stiff backed hotel chair, sleeves rolled up as he picks up the tumbler and takes a sip. ]
Only the necessary channels. I've put some threads out, soft inquiries for any teams looking to bring on an architect. There's interest, just nothing solid since we're looking a bit further out.
The more rational pat of him knows it's going to be a long haul, a slim chance. That they're going to have to keep their sanity intact amidst paranoia and the feeling of something always being at their heels. It's fine, he tells himself, he can handle this.
Nodding at Dom's brief outline, he comes over to the small coffee table, where there's a second drink fixed and set out. Ungracefully, he sets down in the stiff backed hotel chair, sleeves rolled up as he picks up the tumbler and takes a sip. ]
Only the necessary channels. I've put some threads out, soft inquiries for any teams looking to bring on an architect. There's interest, just nothing solid since we're looking a bit further out.
[ Oh. Well. This is decidedly awkward. Normally quick in his text responses, he pauses, thinking this over. He's been visiting James and Philippa in Dom's stead, bringing presents and cards because Dom couldn't come to the US. Right now, he's in Southern California, having just seen the kids a day ago. Miles must have called Dom then.
Slowly, he formulated a response, typing and erasing and typing and erasing until he sends this: ]
Yeah. Been trying to dissuade them but Philippa is stubborn. Miles encourages it.
Slowly, he formulated a response, typing and erasing and typing and erasing until he sends this: ]
Yeah. Been trying to dissuade them but Philippa is stubborn. Miles encourages it.
[ He doesn't know what he'd do without Miles, let alone Arthur, and there's still a slight pang--these are his kids he's still fighting like hell to see--but if had to choose anyone, it would be Arthur. ]
Miles is right.
[ Would telling him he was close to being god parent be too weird? ]
Though apparently, you spoil them just as much as I want to.
Miles is right.
[ Would telling him he was close to being god parent be too weird? ]
Though apparently, you spoil them just as much as I want to.
Are you looking to turn me into a lush tonight, Arthur? [ Her smile comes more readily, paired with a teasing warmth in her eyes. She takes her time to cross one leg over the other, leaning back on her hands and assuming an all too relaxed posture. ] You invite trouble if you are. Maybe bourbon, instead.
[ Unless he truly did wish to have her draped over his lap... but seeing as he gives voice to his exhaustion, perhaps it would be best to avoid any provocation for harassing him.
She's dutifully busying herself with unhooking a dagger from her thigh that she doesn't notice him skimming the menu until he announces what's on the menu. And once he does make mention of fresh fruit, all she can do a quietly groan. ]
Medium. Are there oranges? [ With her daggerless, sheath and blade dropped on her bed, she pushes to her feet and pads into the bathroom. One flick of the switch later, and Arthur's profile is cast in the warmer glow of a bathroom light. ] I promise I won't take a picture. You know, I've always thought it a waste that they offer a bar of soap for someone staying a night.
[ Unless he truly did wish to have her draped over his lap... but seeing as he gives voice to his exhaustion, perhaps it would be best to avoid any provocation for harassing him.
She's dutifully busying herself with unhooking a dagger from her thigh that she doesn't notice him skimming the menu until he announces what's on the menu. And once he does make mention of fresh fruit, all she can do a quietly groan. ]
Medium. Are there oranges? [ With her daggerless, sheath and blade dropped on her bed, she pushes to her feet and pads into the bathroom. One flick of the switch later, and Arthur's profile is cast in the warmer glow of a bathroom light. ] I promise I won't take a picture. You know, I've always thought it a waste that they offer a bar of soap for someone staying a night.
[ Honestly he's relieved. That could've gone so much worse if Cobb had decided to go jealous on him. ]
Please don't tell me you agree with him.
And I don't spoil them. Pretty sure Philippa makes a face every time I give her one of my presents. Logic games will be the bane of her life.
Please don't tell me you agree with him.
And I don't spoil them. Pretty sure Philippa makes a face every time I give her one of my presents. Logic games will be the bane of her life.
It was better than stuffed animals. So far, they've solved three of eight. Getting real close to completing two more.
Don't take this the wrong way but the US education system blows, Dom. They'll be running circles around everyone else their age.
What kind of trouble?
[ He's still flipping through the menu, going back and forth between two pages as he tries to decide what to get for himself. ] Bourbon neat?
[ Strong stuff. But Dany's never backed down from any challenge. She tackles them head on. It's what he likes about her the most. ]
Looks like you'll be getting a surprise arrangement. I can ask for oranges, though. [ When the light flicks on, he finally glances up, eyes adjusting to the change. And then he's raising an eyebrow, just a bit of mischief shining through. ]
Guess we'll have to find other uses for it. You can take a photo on the burner phone, if you really want to.
[ He's still flipping through the menu, going back and forth between two pages as he tries to decide what to get for himself. ] Bourbon neat?
[ Strong stuff. But Dany's never backed down from any challenge. She tackles them head on. It's what he likes about her the most. ]
Looks like you'll be getting a surprise arrangement. I can ask for oranges, though. [ When the light flicks on, he finally glances up, eyes adjusting to the change. And then he's raising an eyebrow, just a bit of mischief shining through. ]
Guess we'll have to find other uses for it. You can take a photo on the burner phone, if you really want to.
Sorry to burst your image of me, but I've always hated school. Just because I was good at it didn't mean I liked it.
[ and then a few seconds later: ]
They're really bright.
[ and then a few seconds later: ]
They're really bright.
[ Arthur had hated school because it was boring. Too many hours listening to teachers, getting contradicting information as he went. Also because he suffered from major social anxiety as a child but. He's not gonna mention that. ]
Philippa still does. James wants to be an astronaut as his side gig.
Philippa still does. James wants to be an astronaut as his side gig.
[ Arthur knows a subject change when he sees one. And he knows Cobb. So he smoothly goes along, focuses on work instead. ]
Always looking for work. Idle hands are the devil's ideal or some bullshit. Had a job lined up but it canceled so I'm cooling my heels in Santa Monica. This pier is kind of shitty.
Always looking for work. Idle hands are the devil's ideal or some bullshit. Had a job lined up but it canceled so I'm cooling my heels in Santa Monica. This pier is kind of shitty.
I'd bring you one if customs would allow it.
Japan is fine. Shibuya has a great fashion district. You know. If there's time.
Japan is fine. Shibuya has a great fashion district. You know. If there's time.
[ An architect. Of course--of course, because that's Arthur, always one step ahead, always planning for disaster. He's a damn good point man because of it, and he's a damn good friend, and Cobb knocks back a wholesome sip before finally letting himself sit, too, sighing as his body protests.
Christ, he needs sleep. ]
Good plan. Lay low, get work. [ Which will be illegal, from now on, he supposes. He wishes he cared more--but he's already adapting, telling himself he'll do anything, build for anyone, if it even gets him a little closer to his kids. He'll build the fucking taj mahal despite the fact that they can't draw on what they know if that's what was needed.
There are dreams, of course. Sort of dreams, he doesn't dream anymore, but he swore he did on the plane. He swore he saw Mal.
No. Not the time. Focus on something else, focus on-- ]
Arthur.
Are you okay?
Christ, he needs sleep. ]
Good plan. Lay low, get work. [ Which will be illegal, from now on, he supposes. He wishes he cared more--but he's already adapting, telling himself he'll do anything, build for anyone, if it even gets him a little closer to his kids. He'll build the fucking taj mahal despite the fact that they can't draw on what they know if that's what was needed.
There are dreams, of course. Sort of dreams, he doesn't dream anymore, but he swore he did on the plane. He swore he saw Mal.
No. Not the time. Focus on something else, focus on-- ]
Arthur.
Are you okay?
[ He plans for the worst and hopes for the best, despite being a cold cynic at heart. But, for as much as he dislikes being taken unawares, Arthur isn't going to say no to a positive surprise. Some good fortune breezing their way, maybe.
At Cobb's response, he nods, takes another sip, thianks about work. About all the loose strings he's got at his fingers. Any one pull will take them in their direction, propel them forward into this new life.
The second question though, he'd been dreading it. Pointedly, he drains his glass and sets it down on the table, empty tumbler making a hollow sound. ]
I'm going to bed. Get rest, tomorrow we're going to the shooting range.
At Cobb's response, he nods, takes another sip, thianks about work. About all the loose strings he's got at his fingers. Any one pull will take them in their direction, propel them forward into this new life.
The second question though, he'd been dreading it. Pointedly, he drains his glass and sets it down on the table, empty tumbler making a hollow sound. ]
I'm going to bed. Get rest, tomorrow we're going to the shooting range.
I know how to shoot.
[ Cobb's slanted brows raise before they knit together, accentuating the small crease in the middle of his forehead. It's confusion, but more than that, it's something else--he's unsure. He's unsure about a lot of things lately, specifically what's real or what's not--
---no. No. This is real. he can't go down the same path Mal did. He inhales, sharply, and breaks the expression with a single glance upwards. ]
It was required.
[ Cobb's slanted brows raise before they knit together, accentuating the small crease in the middle of his forehead. It's confusion, but more than that, it's something else--he's unsure. He's unsure about a lot of things lately, specifically what's real or what's not--
---no. No. This is real. he can't go down the same path Mal did. He inhales, sharply, and breaks the expression with a single glance upwards. ]
It was required.
[ Arthur waits it out, the confusion on Dom's face. He knows that look, the one of unsurety, of not knowing whether or not this is real. If this is true reality and happening. Sitting still in his chair, he waits, sets his hands on his knees, fingers digging in. He wishes he could just tell the man it's real and be done with it. But their jobs make it hard to do so. Hard to believe. ]
I know. I just gotta see it for myself.
[ Meticulous to the nth degree. ]
Hopefully you're better than that time we went shooting in the field.
[ A good memory, from a long time ago. He'd just gotten out of the military, taken Cobb to shoot clay and cans. Their cheeks ended up windburnt and their clothes covered in clay dust. ]
I know. I just gotta see it for myself.
[ Meticulous to the nth degree. ]
Hopefully you're better than that time we went shooting in the field.
[ A good memory, from a long time ago. He'd just gotten out of the military, taken Cobb to shoot clay and cans. Their cheeks ended up windburnt and their clothes covered in clay dust. ]
[ He remembers it well--Cobb had voiced his confusion then, too, because if he was an architect, why would he need to shoot? but maybe now it makes a little more sense.
Or maybe it's the fact that what they do now isn't legitimate that's actually caught up with his tired mind. He pinches the bridge of his nose before taking another large sip, a gulp that would probably make someone with better sense to appreciate the booze wince. ]
Stationary targets, right?
Or maybe it's the fact that what they do now isn't legitimate that's actually caught up with his tired mind. He pinches the bridge of his nose before taking another large sip, a gulp that would probably make someone with better sense to appreciate the booze wince. ]
Stationary targets, right?
[ This, he thinks, will be the harder transition. Dom Cobb is nothing if not adaptable, but the switch from civilian to criminal is not an easy one. There isn't enough paranoia, nor senses sharpened by dealing with humanity on a different level.
Not to mention all the other skills he's going to have to brush up on or learn. ]
For now. Militarized projections aren't going to stand still and let you shoot them.
[ Not to mention that people in the real world hardly stay still either. If a gun is being pointed in their direction, they're likely to run. ]
Not to mention all the other skills he's going to have to brush up on or learn. ]
For now. Militarized projections aren't going to stand still and let you shoot them.
[ Not to mention that people in the real world hardly stay still either. If a gun is being pointed in their direction, they're likely to run. ]
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