dontthinkabout | Arturo y Ariadna ir a un baile (For circularmaze )

Arthur only used the word to keep up pretenses. After all, no one was supposed to know about Sosa's request, not even his own accountant. He introduced himself to Edwardo.

"They are definitely real joys," he smiled at her and her attempt at the phrase. He definitely had his work cut out for him and he would teach her more once he had some downtime, whenever that may be.

Arthur downed the rest of his champagne quickly. "If she doesn't object, I'd like to dance with my girlfriend," he looked at her.

Edwardo gracefully bowed out. "It was very nice to meet you both." The older man said as he took his champagne and found someone else he knew.

Ariadne looked up at Arthur. "He attempted to teach me salsa dancing. I'm far better at that than learning Spanish." She said with a bright grin, holding on to his hand still.

Pretense or not, he said the word again. Should she not mention it? Ariadne supposed there was more important things to discuss like the meeting with Sosa. He was still alive and not fleeing the country with her in toe, so she assumed it went well. He also seemed in good spirits as well.

"I'd love to dance though. If the offer is still there." She said, looking back up at him and putting her champagne glass down.

"And you as well," Arthur said politely before Edwardo left to socialize with other attendees.

Arthur looked down at Ariadne. "Salsa, hm?" He led her to the dance floor as a fast-paced song came on. "Although I'm probably not as skilled in the dance as your previous partner, I know enough of the basics to get me by." He twirls around once twice before bringing her back into his arms, stepping to the music.

"I'm not claiming to be any sort of expert. I stepped on his toes a few times." Ariadne said as Arthur lead her on to the dance floor.

After being dipped, Ariadne put her arm around him to steer her in closer to him. She attempted to keep time, going over the beats and counts in her head. With a small smile she looked up.

She spoke in a hushed tone, purposely being vague, "Everything alright then?"

"I'm sure there'll be no damage if you step on my toes," Arthur said.

He spin her around again and brought her back into his arm before answering her question. "I'll elaborate more once we're back in our hotel suite, but yes. Everything is alright."

She continued to be led by him and smiled at his comment. She was still keeping time in her head as to not step on his feet - regardless of what he said. Ariadne did knock into him once though. She wasn't perfect, but she was always up for learning something new.

After the next dip, she straightened herself and looked up at him. "I figured as much. That's all I wanted to know." She blinked and looked around. "How much longer do we have to stay here?"

She nearly knocked the wind out of him when she bumped into his side, but he quickly recovered and continued dancing. "We can leave right now, if you'd like." He wasn't one for parties of this manner, but Ariadne seemed to be having fun.

She smiled sheepishly and apologized when she bumped into him. "I'd rather spend the time with you than in some stuffy opera house with lavish Latino men who I don't know. Besides the suspense is killing me. I have no patience." Ariadne said, smirking wickedly.

She at least waited until the end of the song. While she was having fun, it was because she chose to. It was better than moping in a corner and being bored. As she walked off the floor she grabbed one more glass of champagne. She was already smiling a bit from the two she had. But what the hell? It was a good night.

He laughed at her comment and when the song finally ended he shook his head with a smile on his face as she took another glass of champagne. Arthur declined though, he never had more than three drinks while on the job.

He waited while she finished her champagne when something caught his eye. A man come out of the side door of the lobby and looked around. When his eyes landed on Arthur, he spoke into a small walkie-talkie and got something out of his coat as he briskly made his way over to the couple. Before the man could get to them, Arthur grabbed Ariadne's arm and started running in the direction of the exit.

She was having a splendid evening. She took her time with the champagne, until Arthur grabbed her and started running. This wasn't good. Ariadne was buzzed and running with heels on. They weren't that tall, but she knew she'd slow the two of them down if she continued to wear them.

"Shit, shit, shit." She said as sh whipped her shoes off as they made it outside. "I liked those shoes."

Despite the situation Ariadne let out a small laugh as she picked up speed. The couple dashed around the building. Ariadne simply followed. It was then she heard them firing their weapons. Running around the corner, Ariadne felt it graze her shoulder. She groaned and clutched her right shoulder, letting go of Arthur's hand.

A shot rang out from within the lobby and people dropped to the floor, frightened and confused. When they made it outside, the man followed closely behind. But soon he was joined by two other guys, each with a gun in their hand. As they turned the corner of the building, more shots were fired. Arthur ducked, but when he heard a groan from Ariadne, he immediately turned around. He was scared she might have been shot. "What happened?" Arthur stopped against the building. They needed to move, but she was injured.

Removing Ariadne's hand from her shoulder, he could see the blood, even in the dim light coming from the moon. It didn't seem like she was hit though. The bullet must have just grazed her. "Come on. We have to keep moving," he said urgently. He took her left hand and ran along the along the side. He needed to get to the street around the back of the opera house to hail a cab.

She hadn't meant to stop. It was just sort of the gut reaction to having something graze her. Ariadne followed though. "I'm fine." She said, though fine was not the most adequate word.

She could feel the blood running down her arm. But as long as she didn't move her right arm, she was okay. She had had three glasses of champagne. Though she was most certainly not laughing now.

She heard the men behind them still, in hot persuit. They had weapons whereas they didn't. Ariadne heard another round go off, ricocheting off the wall behind them. "Arthur, we need a better plan than running." There was panic in her voice. She was already running barefoot and wounded.

She may have thought they had no weapons, but Arthur always had a gun on him at all times. It was strapped to his ankle, but he didn't have the times to stop and take it out. And he knew she wasn't fine. The blood running down her arm definitely indicated that she wasn't fine. But he'd rather her lose a small amount of blood than her life.

There was a gunshot behind them. Arthur ducked again and then turned to see if Ariadne was okay. "I've got a plan, don't worry." The busy street was up ahead. Only a few more feet.

He stopped when they came to the edge of the sidewalk. Arthur got into the first cab he saw. The light was red. The cab driver whirled his head around as Arthur got in practically tearing her arm off as he pulled her in as well. "Yo te lo pagaré tres veces más si usted salir de aquí rápido," Arthur immediately said. That was good enough for the driver. The men were only a few feet from them when the light turned green. The cab driver sped off, weaving between traffic. Arthur turned around and watched through the rear window. A black SUV pulled up to the men and the three of them got in. "Más rápido! Pierde el SUV negro!" The driver nodded at Arthur's command.

Arthur finally turned to Ariadne. "Let me see." He took her arm gently. Blood was still running down her arm. He took the handkerchief out of his breast pocket and wrapped it around her wound. "Sorry, that'll have to do before we can get real help." He didn't know where they were going though. They were speeding away from the gunmen. That was good. But up until this point, he had no more plan.

Ariadne was at least glad there was a plan. She couldn't think, being drunk and bleeding. This wasn't like the dream world. She couldn't make something appear.

She hollered some when he tugged her in by her bad arm. Ariadne just sort of sat therethrough the haze of Spanish. She let him bandage her shoulder. She could see the gash, but at least there wasn't a bullet. "I'm fine." She repeated.

There was something about and SUV though. Ariadne rested her head on his shoulder. "What happened? I thought you said it went well. I take it we can't go back to the hotel." She said trying to concentrate on anything but the bleeding.

Christ, he even had her blood on his hands.

Just then the black SUV rammed into the back of the taxi, the driver now speaking in rushed Spanish. He threatened to kick them out. Ariadne wasn't processing any of this.

"No, you're not." He let out a frustrated sigh. He should have known the risks before letting Ariadne come with him to Buenos Aires. They were basically in the backyard of a previous client who he failed to make happy. He should have known, but he thought he was being cautious enough so that no one would know he was in the country.

"Previous client," he answered simply. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you into this. I—" He shook his head, multiple trains of thoughts going through his brain.

He was about to say something else, but just then the SUV rear ended the cab. "Fuck," Arthur hissed under his breath, he finally took out his gun and pointed it out the driver's temple. "Sal del coche." The driver stepped on the brakes, opened the door and dashed outside. Arthur climbed into the driver's seat and stepped on the gas pedal. The car sped forward as Arthur weaved through cars.

Despite the bleeding, pain, and being a bit drunk, Ariadne screwed her face up in a determined glare. She didn't have a bullet in her and it was a bit of bloodloss. It was in her shoulder so no major arteries were hit or she'd be dead. Besides it was her choice to come. Just like it was her choice to join the business or date him.

But she didn't get a chance to get that out.

"Oh good. A gun." She said breathily and with a small grin.

Ariadne laid back in the cab when Arthur hopped in the front. The situation was bleak at best. But she trusted him. Arthur always managed to protect her. He was always there. She put her faith in that he'd get them out of this.

"Do you have any contacts in Buenos Aires?" She asked trying to help. Ariadne needed to do something. She just wasn't the damsel in distress type.

He saw the face Ariadne was giving him in the rear-view mirror. But he didn't make a comment on it. Now was not the time.

"One. She's an extractor living by the coast. We'll need to lose the tail first before going to her place." He laid the gun on the passenger's seat and took out his cell phone while keeping one hand on the wheel. He quickly looked through the contact list, trying to keep his eyes on the road for the most part. When he found Vivienne's name, he pressed the dial button. It rang for a few seconds before she answered.

"Yes, it's me. I need help...We're being tailed by a black SUV and three gunmen...yeah, I'm pretty sure they work for Bautista...this isn't exactly the right time for a scolding. I just wanted to inform you we're coming over in twenty minutes. Bye." He hung up and placed the phone back into his pocket.

Arthur swerved through the traffic, creating a good bit of distance between the SUV and them. He turned onto a street and then into the first alley he saw. Arthur turned off the car and waited. The black SUV sped pass them without even noticing. He backed out of the alley and got back onto the main street.

She continued to lay there, every now and then a soft sound was emitted when her right arm was moved. At least something was being done. She smiled a bit and held her right elbow. Arthur always came through. The only thing that sucked aside from the wound as the fact that she didn't have her stuff, meaning she was stuck wearing her bloodied dress.

After they started moving again, she still laid there. Getting up would hurt. She mulled over the conversation and picked up her head. "So we're okay now? We can trust her?" She asked. "What are we going to do with the taxi. I may not know Argentine law, but we just stole a taxi."

Which definitely meant they couldn't go to a hospital now. Not with three gunman and potentially the police looking for them. And who knows who else.

"Yes, we can trust her. I met her while in the PASIV program. She hires me once in a while when she needs a Point man," he replied as he got onto the highway to get towards the coast where Vivienne resided. Their relationship had been more than that though, they dated briefly when they both left the program. "And don't worry about the taxi. I'll call somebody about it." The good thing about being the best in the business? Connections.

He exited the highway and turned left onto a street that overlooked the ocean, but they couldn't see the water since it was pitch black. Five minutes later he drove up to a big, solid iron gate. Arthur honked once and it immediately started to slide open. After parking close to the large, wooden door of the beach house, he got out and went to open Ariadne's door.

"Well, well, well," came the sultry British-accented voice of a tall blonde who was dressed in a casual skirt suit. "This is quite a surprise Arthur."

To say Ariadne was impressed with their current location was an understatement. Her eyebrows raised, she attempted to look around. She couldn't see much given how late it was. Arthur opened the door for her and the young Architect attempted to slide out, her arm still in pain and her drunkenness all but dissipated.

She gave a sheepish smile to the other woman. She was most certainly his type. Ariadne wasn't prone to fits of self doubt, but she most certainly wasn't like her. However she offered her hand with her good arm and introduced herself before looking at Arthur like 'now what'.

Vivienne shook Ariadne's outstretched hand. "You two look like you just came from a ball," she commented eyeing Ariadne and Arthur's attire.

"We did, actually," Arthur said as he helped Ariadne out of the taxi. She was having a hard time so he lifted her in his arms, bridal style. "Got a first-aid kit?"

"I do." Vivienne led them into her home, it was even more opulent inside. "Go wait in the kitchen, I'll be back in a few seconds." She points to a door and he walks through with Ariadne still in his arms. He places her on a bar stool and unties his handkerchief.

She made a noise when Arthur suddenly lifted her off the ground. She could walk. It was just her shoulder, but she was grateful for his assistance. Ariadne's head found his shoulder again.

She couldn't help but gawk at the inside of her home. It was gorgeous and everything was so elegant. She could see how Arthur and her got along. He was very much the same way.

Ariadne sat on the stool when she was taken to the kitchen. She had bled quite a bit. Her arm was red as well as there being streaks down the dress. She cringed. It was a lovely dress and no doubt expensive. After he removed the handkerchief, there was still a trickle of blood. The bleeding had slowed, but Ariadne was a little weak.

She attempted a smile, her good hand lightly touching his face. "See. I'm still alive." Her voice was soft.

"I know," he said just as softly. Vivienne caback with a towel and the first-aid kit.

"Let me see," she said as she came around to Ariadne's side. Arthur moved back. Vivienne was much better at this than he was considering she had been training to be a combat medic before joining the program. "It could definitely be worse. It'll need stitches though, to completely stop the bleeding." She opened the first aid kit and took out disinfectant as well as a surgical suture. Placing the towel underneath the wound, she took the bottle of disinfectant and washed the wound clean, wiping the dried blood from her arm. "Hold her other hand will you, Artie? Ariadne, I need you to hold very still while I do this. No moving otherwise I'll mess up."

'Artie'? Ariadne raised an eyebrow at that. She never pictured anyone calling him that. The younger woman was getting the idea they weren't just contacts. And she didn't know how she felt about that.

"Wait, now? Do you even know how? I mean I just met you and you're just going to sew me up?" She said with some disbelief. Sure Arthur said to trust her but did she even know what she was doing.

This was going to hurt though and she half wished she'd had more to drink at the ball. The night was turning out completely horrible. And the worst part was he was still leaving at the end of this.

Edited 2010-11-04 21:46 (UTC)

Vivienne laughed. "A little nickname I have for him," she said. Arthur hadn't had time to say anything about it, but he gave her a look that said "Don't-you-dare." Vivienne simply laughed.

Right before she started on the stitches, she stopped and looked at Ariadne. She was about to say something, but Arthur answered first. "She's a trained combat medic. You're in good hands," he said simply.

"Don't worry, love. I've got this," Vivienne said to her with a reassuring smile as she began to stitch the wound.

Arturo y Ariadna ir a un baile (For circularmaze )

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