Living the dream.

[pointofspecificity]

[Locked to agreat_thief. Superception!Verse.]



Arthur places a metallic case on the coffee table, unlocking and opening it to reveal a complicated mechanism within. “This,” he explains, gesturing to the device with an odd sense of pride and satisfaction, “is a PASIV device. It enables us to enter a dream state and allows our dreams to be shared with others. It probably seems complex seeing it for the first time, but you don’t need to worry about the mechanics just yet – there’s plenty of time for that later.”

Comments

[onsilksheets]

"One day you will have to show me that uniform. As an item of interest." No, Bela isn't thinking of getting Arthur into the uniform. Except that she is. And if Arthur could read her mind, he would certainly see some very interesting mental images cropping up.

"Sometimes it gets lonely." But she's used to that, always on the go, never really settling down in one place. She did have her place in New York but even then she didn't set out to make friends or build up relationships with anyone. "I manage well enough. Always have and always will." Bela did say that a bit bluntly, but not in a mean way.

Bela smiles a little. "Probably best to stick to what you know and be the best Point Man there is." Though Eames' role did sound intriguing and a little close to what Bela had to do for her job: assume different aliases whenever she needed to.

She remains quiet and leans in to the touch before she presses a light kiss to his lips, not needing to say anything for the time being. Bela rests her forehead against his gently and takes a moment for herself.

[pointofspecificity]

Arthur jots down a reminder to dust off the uniform the first chance he gets in the mental notebook he keeps, and smirks, the glazed look in Bela's eyes not escaping his notice. But he doesn't want to embarrass her, if it's at all possible, and composes himself to seem serious and understanding, nodding. "If I can help you in this newly gained interest, I'm more than willing to do anything at all to help." And, he thinks with a grin, he really does mean anything.

"Being independent isn't a bad thing. You don't have to rely on anyone, for a start, and it's a good way to avoid disappointment." But the smile he offers her is somewhat sad. Arthur admits that he doesn't know a lot about Bela at this early stage, and that's okay, because it's the journey that makes a relationship: the adventures along the way, the excitement of discovering and exploring, of creating - ironically, he notes, not that different to stepping into the world of dreams. But he does know that she never mentions family, that she rarely mentions friends or associates, and as much as he admires how strong and independent she clearly is, he can't help feeling a little sad. He doesn't pity her, it's obviously a lifestyle that suits her, that she chooses to live, but he can't help wondering if she's missing out, if it’s not something she once didn’t have a choice over and now sticks with it because it’s all she knows. And, though working with others isn't really an option with what Arthur does, he does enjoy being alone, working away from the team when there's research to do, and isn't the most sociable of people, but he can't imagine life without familiar faces. "But sometimes you shouldn't just have to manage. Sometimes it's good to experience things with others, to take risks. You shouldn't always have to do everything alone." You can rely on me, he thinks, but he doesn't add it, even though it's implied in the gentle look as gazes at her.

"I think you're right, and I am the glue that keeps them together, after all. They'd be lost without me." He laughs, staring off into the distance. Sharing this world with Bela is one thing, but what if it could be something more than that? He thinks for a while, and then adds, "I could explain it to you, if you wanted, and you could try your luck. When you're more comfortable in the dreamstate, obviously, and only if it's something you'd be interested in exploring."

Their hour is almost up, and there's been a lot of information for Bela to take in and consider. He presses a tender kiss to her forehead and slides an arm around her back, continuing their walk around the park in a comfortable silence, or, if not quite that, then a thoughtfully distracted silence.

[onsilksheets]

"Which is why you're fantastic like that." She's still acting all serious as if she isn't implying anything devious at all. "Of course, if there's anything you want me to wear, I have no problem with that." Bela could allow herself to be a little suggestive.

"You don't need to worry about me, you know." She wasn't prepared to share everything about herself and her life just yet. Bela did trust Arthur but it was difficult for her to let go and take down her walls to let people in and get to know the real her. Bela Talbot was a facade, something she created to hide behind so that she could manage in life. The past still affected her, much as she tried to push that back into the far recesses of her mind. She raises her eyes to his. "But I'm willing to learn to play nice with others." Her tone is light and teasing, but there's a hint of sadness in her green eyes.

"I would be interested in learning more about it. But another time, perhaps. For now I just want to enjoy this. What we have here and what we have outside in the real world."

She smiles softly at the kiss, slipping her arm around his waist and walking along with him. Bela is content to walk in silence, contemplating everything that Arthur had just told her as well as her own past. It was an interesting mix in any case.

[pointofspecificity]

"Oh?" He manages to pull off a look of innocence mixed with genuine curiosity for all of two - maybe three - seconds before it slips and gives way to the smirk that breaks loose, showing exactly how pure his thoughts are. But he tries to keep up the pretence. "Well, in that case, if you happen to have - oh, I don't know - an old school uniform floating around, or something that closely resembles one, it could prove to be useful."

Arthur smiles at that and playfully nudges shoulders with her, trying to lighten the mood. "Because you're usually such a monster," he says with a sarcastic roll of the eyes. He doesn't expect anything from anyone, as a general rule, and Bela is no exception to that. It's easy to feel suffocated by someone, by a situation, he knows, and he doesn't want her to feel as if he's pressuring her into anything. So he leaves the topic where it is, open for future use, for a time when they're both ready.

"And enjoy it you shall. We have all the time in the world, and we can work at whatever pace you're most comfortable with."

He smiles to himself as they walk, not sure if it was the best introduction to something like this, but thankful that it went smoothly enough. After all, they do have plenty of time to work out the kinks, and the endless list of things that he wants to show her can wait.