maze_builder | (no subject)

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dontthinkabout

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Ariadne had arranged a peaceful, quiet life she for herself after the Fischer job. And then he showed up. All smiles and charm that sent her head in a frenzy. It seemed like every time he was in town, he would visit her and she would be conveniently available. She knew the kind of work he was still involved in and the risks that came with it. But she didn't think that he would be under surveillance or that anyone would notice his infrequent visits to Paris.

But someone had found out about her. Someone had been in her apartment and was looking for something other than money. They even went to the trouble of leaving her a note. A friendly enough note to try and inspire her to come out of retirement. That sickeningly sweet kind of note that felt like it was laced with cobra venom. They wanted an Architect.

She called the only person she could think of.

"Hey..."

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She relaced her boots around her ankles as she waited for him to get dressed. When they finally left the hotel, she took his arm as they walked down the street. She was trying not to look around her.

They happened upon a small restaurant and Arthur walked in. They sat down at a table and a waitress came over with menus and to take their drinks order.

Ordering a heavier drink, she skimmed the menu. Her appetite hadn't returned yet. After picking the first thing that she saw, the waitress left them to place their order. "So, where'd you fly in from? You got here very quickly."

"I took the train from London," he replied. "Just finished a job there this afternoon when you called."

"Lucky for me you were so close." She twirled a fork between her fingers as she tried to think on something else. "Must not have been an intense corporate espionage job. You left Paris less than a month ago."

"It was a small one," he confirmed. "Sometimes I don't take corporate jobs." Arthur smiled over at her.

She smiled back at him, trying to get her face to relax, knowing that it was otherwise furrowed and revealing her thoughts. "And sometimes it's just a consultation."

"I do those too," he said with a nod. Arthur could tell how distracted she was even as she tried to mask it. "How do you feel about a massage when we get back?"

"From you?" She hummed as she mused the idea, her fingers still twirling the fork. "Well, you do have gifted hands."

He smirked. "Yes, from me." Under the table, Arthur ran his feet down her calf.

She raised an eyebrow at him. Knowing he was trying to steer her thoughts in another direction with his foot, she smirked at him. 'Am I really that easy to read or has he just gotten too familiar with me?' "That sounds enticing."

"I hope it would." He didn't move his foot away when the waitress came back with their food. Arthur thanked her and dig in.

Ariadne picked at her meal, only taking small bites. The sauce and flavors a little too rich for her. Sipping at her scotch, she watched the restaurant's other patrons around them. Most were enjoying a night out and light conversation.

Arthur finished his food, sipping his light wine occasionally.

She smiled softly and rubbed her calf against his foot. "I'm sorry; I'm terrible about not worrying." she commented as she swirled the remaining amber liquid around two ice cubes.

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's not your fault."

She raised an eyebrow. "Easier said than done." her gaze returned to her glass. "I just want to know how they found out about me. It would be simple enough to explain if they were after you for something and just wanted to use me to get to you. But they wanted what I can do for them."

"I can look into it," he said, not elaborating because she might not like his methods.

"I get the feeling you already started." she took another sip and finished off her scotch.

He half shrugged. "Do you want another drink?"

She shook her head. For the most part she knew her alcoholic limits. "Not here at least. I'd like to get to the next hotel before I drink anymore."

He nodded and then called over the waitress to settle the bill. Arthur got up afterwards and offered Ariadne his elbow. "We'll need to make a detour before going back to our hotel."

She raised an eyebrow but nodded as she took his arm. "Always the cautious one."

He smiled over at her and led the way out. After Arthur hailed a cab, he directed the driver to a nondescript building and got out after paying him.

Inside was all wood, metal, glass, and sharp angles when they walked in. There was a man at the reception area behind a desk with two burley security guards on each side, guns just slightly hidden inside their jackets. The man at the desk greeted Arthur and got up, pulling out a key. They followed him down a long hall and then into a room that the man unlocked for them. The walls were lined with small, shoebox size lockers. He left afterwards and Arthur went to open one of the lockers with his own key, taking out a metal box from within. Arthur unlocked the box with another key, revealing a Glock and shoulder holster.

Ariadne followed Arthur without a word as she memorized their cab route and then inside of the building. Her face furrowed again when she saw the contents of the locker. She understood the necessity for it given the circumstances. "Shouldn't there be wads of cash and a stack of passports to go with it?"