VIDEO ♧ 001 ♧ there we were --- thick as thieves.

[forging]

[ Eames figures this is part of some grand scheme to get back at him. He's never been the kindest chap, so he has no doubts that he's ticked off someone somewhere. He's up against some fine dreamers, the attention of the place -- the authenticity and the details in the world building should make him feel intimidated, but Eames takes this is a gamble. All high stakes with a lot to lose. He doesn't believe the whole situation where they're in a world of Dreams, Death and Living - he figures it's part of the game to lull the mark into a false sense of security by showing him familiar elements.

So Eames will play along until he manages a better picture of what's been painted to him. When the feed turns itself on, Eames looks positively lost. You don't spend so much time pretending to be other people without learning a few tricks yourself, so the act is a solid one. His tone is hesitant. ]

Right. Well. So I guess, the nice - Kedan - wassit? Explained a couple of things with this -- [ he makes a gesture with his hands. ] place.

This is a bit much to take in. So I gotta ask - are they known for their honesty? They tellin' us the whole story with being between death and life and dreaming?

[ a beat. ]

Name's Freddy, by the way. Freddy Simmonds. I guess. I'm new.

[ Eames is gonna push this act as far as he can. ]

(( OOC | if there'd be any reason for your character to pick up on the fact that it's an act - go ahead! c: ))

Comments

[aloadeddie]

[Arthur scowls down into his coffee, trying to think.]

If there was a leak, I'm not going to be any help, given that I don't even remember finishing the job. Ariadne and Yusuf are the only ones on the team I haven't worked with before - Ariadne doesn't have the connections and I don't see why Yusuf would risk his double share to rat on us. I suppose Saito could be double-crossing us, but that's a lot of trouble and expense, even for him.

[If anything, his scowl deepens the more he thinks about this whole situation.] Remind me never to do inception again.

[forging]

[ raising an eyebrow. ]

Not to raise even more white flags but you need to consider that a possibility, given that neither of them are here. I understand where Yusuf's coming from, from a swindler's perspective - say, if he put out a leak for that sort of information. That's an ample opportunity for a profit. Saito could have slipped after the job. God knows.

[ he gives a somewhat cheeky smile at arthur's exasperated expression. This situation is massively fucked up and god knows Eames will probably be tired of it once the novelty of it all wears off. ]

Shame though, I was really hoping this one would take.

[ and because eames has the inability to just let things sit, he quickly adds: ]

Alright. I don't suppose - you've devised a game plan to get us out of this?

[aloadeddie]

I'm not ruling them out completely, it's just inconsistent with what I know of them. Yusuf likes money, sure, but he's also risk-averse. Saito's probably the most likely at this point.

[Arthur never honestly believed they would manage inception, but he's willing to admit to himself that he was hoping, at least. For Cobb's sake, even though the guy can be a total manipulative bastard.

He's still a friend, after all.]

I have no game plan, right now. I don't have enough information about what's going on. If I don't even know what compound is being used, who the dreamer is, I can't know how to wake us up. Not without risking us being trapped here for even longer, or worse.

[forging]

Well, if you and Cobb managed a little tour of his head before hand - what's to say someone else didn't? I'm pretty sure this sort of thing would have taken priority over Proculus' other dirty laundry. Or Saito could be scheming to take us out of the game. Either, or.

[ now he's theorizing. eames is a little more paranoid and skeptical then he'll ever let on. god knows, eames keeps people at an arms length for a reason. ]

You've tried anything else out of the elegant solution of shooting yourself in the head?

[aloadeddie]

From what I know, Saito is all about efficiency. I suppose he could have a sadistic streak that might push him to want to do something this elaborate, but he's never struck me as the type.

[Arthur doesn't blame him for it, God knows he's been called paranoid more than a few times. It comes with the territory.]

There was an earthquake - turtle quake? A while back. Not big enough to be a kick. I'm out of options for waking up at the moment. [He pauses, then sips at his coffee.] I have a PASIV, but only a very limited Somnacin supply. I'm keeping my eyes open for a chemist.

[forging]

He just paid us to sabotage a conglomerate. I wouldn't put it past him.

[ dear arthur, i am sorry you have to deal with my absolute and utter lack of trust issues. xoxo, eames. ]

You don't actually believe this dreamscape is built on a turtle? [ and the look he shoots arthur is a distinct expression of: arthur, really? ]

Are you going to risk it? I'd wager going a level deeper would stretch the feeling of time even further, and we've yet to determine how badly a normal five minute dream on the surface could be here.

[aloadeddie]

To get a bigger market share. There's a difference between wanting to watch people suffer because you enjoy it and doing corporate espionage to increase your profit margins.

[Arthur says that with the tone of a man who is intimately familiar with people who belong to both groups.]

Have you been to see the shell? It's all over the place, especially when you get outside the city. And you weren't here when the whole thing took a dive. I mean, it literally dived to the bottom of the ocean. Don't ask me how, hell if I know. Even for a dream that's damn weird.

Anyway, it's my job to take calculated risks. I haven't tried going under yet, but I will, once I've done a full assessment and found a reliable chemist.

[forging]

So you think this whole set up is the work of a sadist rather than someone aiming for profit margins?

[ eames has conned both groups. but he knows the price of doing a neat job. ]

Not yet. I've been nursing the post-arrival hang over, but save from that - I wouldn't say no to a tour. Took a dive, you say?

[aloadeddie]

My point is, there would be easier ways to use us to get more money. So - I'd say chances are whoever is behind this is doing it for fun as much as profit.

[He shrugs a little.] It took a dive. It went under water, there was some kind of... magical forcefield or something. It was dark for days.

[forging]

[ see he's asked costigan to name a few incidents that were suspicious, to someone who really believed that they were on the turtle - the sort of act -- the concept of 'diving' wouldn't be so farfetched. ]

Then it does beg the question what is our host's connection to either Proculus or Fischer Marrow and why are we targeted in specific?

[ a beat. ]

How did the Architect shift the setting of the dream without the projections reacting violently?

[aloadeddie]

Those are all very good questions. [Arthur sighs and glances around.] Unfortunately, I have no idea where to even start - I can't tell who is a projection and who isn't. I mean, the kedan are pretty obvious, but could a good enough forger do something like that?

[forging]

If you can build a city, why can't you construct a few beasts? I've never personally tried it myself. Forging into something outside of the human template would require a more creative look at anatomical structures. Then there's this whole slew of motivations that don't exactly apply with human psychological constructs.

[ he just sort of really likes impressing arthur, it's a thing. bloody show off. ]

A few talented forgers could try to convince the subconscious of a norm. It's a very subtle art.

[aloadeddie]

I'd be much more interested in the science behind it, frankly. [Yep, he's scowling a little. Eames always likes to pull that crap on him, just because he's not as much the creative type. ANNOYING.]

[forging]

You work on the details, I'll fix why we're part of the formula.

[ grinning. has he got you there arthurrrrr. HAS HEEEEEEE. ]

[aloadeddie]

I'm not holding my breath, Mr. Simmons.

[Scowl scowl scowl.]

[forging]

Well, there's not much else we can do.

[aloadeddie]

I'm working on it. We'll figure this out. There's an explanation for everything.

[forging]

Alright, amuse me. What have we worked on so far?

[ a grin. ]

Still keeping that diary of yours?

[ he's talking about arthur's moleskine. ]

[aloadeddie]

Same things I do in any new place. I've been scouting out contacts, sources of information, supplies and employment.

[He gives Eames a somewhat withering look.]

Ariadne got me a new one, actually. [He still uses the same code, though, so you won't be able to read it, neener.]

[forging]

Always so organized. [ he says smoothly. ] Which alias are you adapting, so we can form some level of consistency.

[ that is sort of adorable. he just gives arthur a knowing look. ]

Sweet of her.

[aloadeddie]

I set up the security perimeter at her apartment when we first got here.

[Arthur returns the Look with a scowl of his own - like don't even go there.]

Arthur Lewis, private security consultant. I worked with Mr. Charles' architecture firm back home. I'm sure you can find a way to fit in with that.

[forging]

Do I mind if I have you come over to do one on my flat as well?

[ a beat. ]

I'll go ahead and post you some details on Freddy as we go along. I'm thinking something to do with either data collection or stocks. Are we to make our associations known or am I your dirty little secret?

[aloadeddie]

You don't need my help with your security.

[He raises his eyebrows.]

Honestly, I don't think Ariadne would even let us try to pretend not to know each other. It's probably easier if we just make up a business association of some kind.

[forging]

Flattering, but I'd still appreciate a second eye. You've been here longer.

[ he does respect you arthur, don't look too shocked now. ]

We'll need to hash out the details with everyone.

[aloadeddie]

[A quirked eyebrow, but he finally nods.]

All right, I can give it a look.

And I know; the four of us should meet and hash things out. [A quick, sharp glance from Arthur.] Are you okay working with Dom?

[He doesn't give a shit about Eames' personal feelings on the matter - Dom screwed them all over, he knows that, and he's pissed at the guy, too. But Eames doesn't have his loyalty or history with Dom - mostly he's just asking if they can still trust Eames to be a team player. At least for now.]