Paris in Springtime

[loadedparadox]

((Rp for dreamsofmazes for Iris verse))

They had been back in Paris for two weeks. Despite returning with her, Arthur had given her space. Assuring the warehouse was clean, he released the rental and then set about finding his own place. Settling in, he made himself do what might have made him nervous otherwise. Furniture, his clothes shipped in, even plants in the kitchen and bathroom, offering a hint of hominess to it all.

Only after it was all done did he send the invitation to Ariadne, inviting her over for dinner. Preparing, he set the table, ordered the food and then moved it all to pots and pans to make the pretense that he might know how to cook more than the handful of meals he tended to make for himself the few times he had kitchens in his hotel rooms.

Dressed careful, button down shirt, tucked in but sleeves rolled and collar unbuttoned, slacks and loafers. Lighting the candles on the table, going all out, including pastries waiting for dessert.

Comments

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He tried to look innocent. "And what if you don't answer," he asked with a grin that he couldn't quite hide.

"Good. I'll work on finding us a job. Shouldn't be too hard. Some have already been contacting me since Cobb came back to the states."

He ate, watching her and then the words made him shrug, hiding a bit of a sigh. "I have faith in me. Not sure I'll find the right person though. We'll see. I'm sure there's other things I can do."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Then you'll just keep trying. I have to keep some form of mystery to me, don't I? I can't be too easy, now can I?" She stated, a small laugh coming out, as she toke a sip of her wine, watching him behind the rim.

"Well let me know, I trust your judgement." She said nodding, only to poke at her meal some, trying to find the next set of words that she wanted. "Other things, such as?" She asked, her tone fairly neutral, her expression more curious then anything.

"And have you ever thought, extracting yourself? I mean, I know you can do it. But I guess I'm more curious what your thoughts on it are."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"There are many things I've thought about you, Ariadne, but none of it involves you being easy. Trust me, I have only the highest thoughts for you." He said it sincerely, intent as he watched her.

"I won't take you into anything you wouldn't want," he said, voice still soft and sincere. "Damned if I know," he admitted, smiling then. "I'm sure there's something but no idea.

"I... I've been told I don't have the spontaneity to do it. I'm a planner."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Arthur." She quickly said, only to take a sip of her wine, letting her eyes closed briefly, a slight smile on her lips, as she attempted not to let that statement be taken as anything wrong.

Her expression calming again, as she set her wine glass down, eyes on him with a smile. "I know. And I'm sure there is something out there, you might find interesting, if push came to shove. And as far as not having any spontaneity. You do. I think you think on your feet. Which is what you need, or at least what I assume."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"You're very welcome." He leaned a bit closer, arching a brow. "What's that smile for," he asked.

"I can do it. I know I can. I'm not the best at it. Besides, hard to run point and extract at the same time and the truth? I am the best point out there. That I know," he said with a chuckle.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Oh nothing really." She started, knowing full well, he would ask. Chewing on her bottom lip, a quick roll of her eyes, trying to hide her slight, but brief embarrassment. "Just..that statement. You left it open to a lot of interpretation by me." Shrugging as she fished, taking yet another longer slip of her wine. Attempting only to hide the blush, she now suddenly felt forming on her cheeks.

"Well whatever the best point decides to do, one of the best Architects wont be far behind."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"You do know you're only leading me, don't you? The obvious question here," he murmured, watching as the glass touched her lips. "Is for me to ask how did you interpret it? I am curious."

Chuckling at that, unable to stop smiling. "I think between us we can definitely work things out."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"I am not." She shot back with a tease. "You're mind is allowed to wander just as mine is. Not that mine wanders. Well. Maybe it has been know to from time to time. But that doesn't mean, that it did." She started, obviously flustered, and rambling now. "Well that's a lie. It did wander, and obviously to places it shouldn't. Well not that it's not healthy to think that way, just..." She paused, scrunching up her nose. "You can tell me to stop, anytime now, Arthur."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Except it very obviously did," he said with a wide grin. "So, tell me, where did your mind wander? Come on. Share with me," he said, waggling his eyebrows. It was adorable when she got like this and he couldn't hide it. Not the way he was watching her, was smiling.

"Oh no. Don't stop. I like it."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"To Naked place, Arthur." She sputtered out, covering her face slightly with a giggle, obviously read now in embarrassment. "Is that what you wanted to hear? Cause it did. I can't help it, I'm young? Apparently I have the mind of a twelve year old boy? I don't know. But it did. And now obviously you just are enjoying this far too much. And....I have no idea how to shut up, do I?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Arthur fairly choked on his wine, laughing as he set down the glass before it splashed over his hand. "I can't believe you put it like that," he said, nodding. "And yes, yes it was," he admitted, grinning. "No, you don't know how to shut up and you may have a boy's mind but a beautiful girl's body and you're not the only one that went there," he said, watching her for a reaction.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

There was a quick laugh, louder then the rest at that. Trying to make her embarrassment over it all. "Well I was only being honest. It was the first word that came into my mind after all." She said, a laugh still to her tone. Realizing how odd that sounded, but it was what it was. And there was no way of going back on it.

"Thank you." She started, attempting to hide the ever present blush on her cheeks, behind her wine glass as she took a sip. "For not making me sound like a complete nut job."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"So is that why you accepted my invitation," he asked, arching a brow. "Hoping to get in some quality naked time in my new place?" Not that he sounded the least bit adverse to the idea. Not at all.

"You're not. Quite possibly you're the most sane amongst us, all things considered. Besides, what's completely nuts about wanting naked time," he asked, lips twitching into a smile as he said the words.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Choking slightly on her own air, she bit back a giggle. "Oh my god, Arthur. I honestly don't know how to respond to this anymore." Her eyes widening at the statement, and her smile not fading. As she honestly thought this to be one of the most amusing things she had come across.

"I will never live, naked time down, will I?" And she honestly didn't sound to bothered by the idea.

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

Picking up his glass, Arthur watched her over the rim as he took a drink. Slow, tongue playing against the rim for a moment. "The truth? Probably not, though I suspect I might forget it. Eventually. Especially should it ever happen," he added, watching her closely for her reaction.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Stifling her giggles more, as she shook her head, looking back down at her meal a moment. "Should it happen." She started, tone as calm as she could make it. Before looking back up, a sly smile now on her lips. "We're using that shower."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The smile widened. "It is only appropriate to have naked time in the shower. What with it being the shower and all," he said with a grin. "Natural to be naked in the shower, right?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Exactly. Naked time is a must in a shower." Her smile bright and her eyes filled with amusement over this all. "Especially with your shower. It's a extreme must. Let's just hope it can handle our naked time."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

He smiled, putting down his glass. "Would you like to see the shower in question," he asked, holding out his hand.

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

Her brow arched, glancing down at the food a moment then to him, a smile on her face. "I suppose that would be a good idea." She said, taking his hand with a quick laugh. "Lead on, good sir."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"The food will wait,' he said, turning to head for the hallway. Past one door, into a another. The bathroom was attached to the master bedroom with a door to the hallway. It was massive with glass tiles set into the wall to allow sunlight, a clawed tub and a massive shower. Three walls were stone and one glass, like it had been carved out of a cave. It had ceiling jets, as well as those in the walls.

"Well?"

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"Well.." Her hand tracing along the sink, eyes looking all around. Obviously impressed with the layout and design. And it was evident in her face when she looked at him, she loved the space.


"Pretty sure I can squeeze a bed in here."

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

The toilet was hidden behind a wall, the sink free standing with a waterfall pouring down into it when turned on. All the accessories were in muted bronze, the colors in chocolate and navy to match the house and stones.

"I'll get one made for you. Fold down. Save space."

[dreamsofmazes.livejournal.com]

"You're too good to me, Arthur." She said, her tone filled with play. Turning to inspect the room more she smiled. "- "I love how the lines seem to flow. And the balance of natural light and fluorescent, it's amazing." She stated, her hand running along the tub with an appreciative smile.

"Brown and Blue." She started, her attention turning toward him. "Favorite colors? Or just something else?"

[loadedparadox.livejournal.com]

"Someone has to be," he said, mostly serious. "I spend a lot of time around architects. Something must have worn off on me,' he said, tones a bit lighter.

He looked around, considering that. "Favorite, I suppose. Feels... grounding and centered to me. Always was attracted to them. Sky and earth type thing,' he said with a shrug, never really having put thought into why he liked them.