[IC] voicemail

[handsomefoil]

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NAME
HENRY
@BROKEBACKSTAB

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Arthur

[handsomefoil]

WHO? Henry & Arthur
WHAT? Two dudes sipping alcohol strong enough to dissolve their esophagus lining
WHEN? A bit later in the evening after hanging out with Joel
ANYTHING ELSE? Just alcohol I guess??

[handsomefoil]

No sense in drinking heavily during the daytime when you're also very much aware of a meeting you planned later on in the day. Well, technically it's the evening now, but details. Much to his surprise, hanging out with a grumpy lumberjack of a man wasn't as unpleasant as he'd imagined it to be.

On his way back to his usual post, he taps out a very short message (just coordinates, really) to @POINTANDKICK, whatever the person's name is. His assumption is that it's a man just from tone alone. It feels like tone actually gives him a good idea of how the person will look, but he's been wrong about that sort of thing before. Joel, for example, is pretty much what he expected.

He scales the house he'd made into his own little roost, quietly and stealthily like a cat, thankful that even if he couldn't ever bring out his cross saber that he could put his parkour skills to some use. Not that he'd ever call it that. One leg hanging off the edge of the roof, he rests his arm on his other knee. Careful to keep himself out of the remaining light from the setting sun and soon to be moonlight, he keeps a watchful eye out for someone that might match the description he'd created in his head.

He takes a small sip of the incredibly strong absinthe he'd brought with him. In his jacket pocket, there's also another bottle of something that could've passed for rubbing alcohol. There's no label. A mystery drink. Even Henry hasn't tried it yet, but the smell was enough to convince him to bring it along.

[pointedlook]

[ Having had nothing but coffee and various bread-like items, it's probably a bad idea to go drinking. He did manage to get some watery stew in his system after going back and forth on the network, but it's settled already, body trying to work through whatever nutrition it gets.

He's always metabolized fast and right now, it's a detriment. Still, he powers through it like he does with everything else. Sheer force of will vs the body and he has a strong sense that will wins out in this scenario.

So far, so good, because as he gets to the coordinates that @BROKEBACKSTAB had sent, he feels alright. Could be better, but alright. Peering at the building, he notes that fire escapes aren't really thing, so there's gotta be another way up. On one side of the building there's some crates and then a trellis; he uses both to make his way to the roof. He's sort of loud about it, since the person on the network would likely be a paranoid type. Once up, he waits for his eyes to adjust to the drastic lighting difference, wishing not for the first (nor last) time that he had his phone to at least put the flashlight app on.

There, in the shadow of the building next door, is the outline of a person. Arthur makes his way over, announcing his arrival by way of: ]

You know your username is one word off from Brokeback Mountain?

[handsomefoil]

[ Henry can hear the sound of someone making their way up to where he is, and honestly at this time of night? He can only assume it's who he expects it to be. Not like the coordinates left much to the imagination, so he's not on edge the idea of someone being at his level.

Slowly, he gets to his feet, watching the shadowy figure in the distance draw nearer. ]

Aye, yes, I've noticed. I don't know what they think they know about me but...

[ He shrugs, a joke ready on the tip of his tongue. ]

...I don't really have a thing for cowboy-themed movies unless it's a western.

[pointedlook]

[ Arthur picks his way carefully across the roof, going slow to avoid tripping on anything that could be up here. After his careful crossing, he stops just short of the other man, the residual evening light limning them both. He sticks his hand out in greeting. ]

Arthur.

[ And after perfunctory crap, he'll withdraw his hand and stick it in his pocket. ]

Not even into chaps? The rugged cowboy look doesn't do it for you?

[handsomefoil]

[ Henry also takes a hold for a brief shake before withdrawing. ]

Henry.

[ He snorts, turning away slightly to reach down by his feet for one of the bottles he had on hand. ]

Guess that depends on the situation, but if or when I need a rugged cowboy to look at, I'll watch a western. Now come on, let's give this one a whirl. I haven't touched this one yet.

[pointedlook]

Alright, that's fair.

[ About westerns that is. Brokeback Mountain hadn't done much for him either. Maybe because he's been half asleep in a hotel after a trying job when it was on TV. It'd also been dubbed in Italian. ]

How much like paint stripper does it smell like? Not that I doubt your abilities or anything.

[handsomefoil]

[ He sighs, then gives the top of the bottle a twist. The loud thunk releases the fumes into the air and it's clear from just the uncorking alone that it's some dangerous stuff. ]

Can you smell it from there? I think I singed some of my nose hairs off.

[ Waves it a little towards Arthur, like he's offering him to drink from it first. ]

[pointedlook]

Holy shit.

[ Well, Henry had certainly delivered. The cork had come off and the alcohol smell so apparent he was convinced it could be sensed from the street. If it didn't do the job, he was going to be extremely shocked.

Of course, he does take the opening to drink from it first. It's only courtesy, since it was so strong and Henry seemed slightly averse. Arthur takes the bottle, carefully doesn't breathe too deeply, and tilts a swig. It burns all the way down, makes his eyes water a bit.

Basically what the doctor ordered.

He gives a little cough afterwards and then grins, dimples and all. ]

Drinkable. We should probably sit down for this one though.

[handsomefoil]

[ He waits until he sees Arthur's reaction before laughing, now extremely curious about just how insanely strong it tastes. The advise is definitely sound. Last thing he wants is to lose his footing and suddenly go toppling off the roof. ]

Yeah, not looking to go breaking my neck for this.

[ The absinthe in his other pocket comes out and he takes a swig of that instead. He'll have plenty of time to try the other bottle of poison. When he'd first tried the absinthe, he thought that stuff was undrinkable, but over the course of the day, he'd developed a liking for the stuff.

He crouches down along the flat of the roof before seating himself and lets his leg dangle off the edge like earlier.]

Did you bring something to draw with?

[pointedlook]

[ Arthur nods and joins Henry in sitting. He plops down close but not too close, just enough that he can still make out the other man's features in the waning light. Both legs stay away from the edge, even as he stretches them out. He takes another pull on his drink, enjoying the burn and ready for it this time— no coughing or tears. ]

Yeah, got some paper and ink in my jacket. Kinda dark for them now though.

[ If they're lucky, maybe they'll have a streetlamp nearby. Once someone comes around and lights it. ]

I can answer questions though, if you're still interested.

[handsomefoil]

[ Oh, this guy is downing the stuff down pretty fast. He better get it back from him before it's too late. Still got a ways to go, but these bottles weren't full to the top when he stole them.

He sort of looks about, the darkness starting to seep into the light. Yeah, guess those crappy diagrams will have to wait another day. He just shrugs and nods in agreement.]

So from military to civilian market— common knowledge to the folks back where you live? Can't imagine just going into a shop and just picking it up, though.

[ He's been steadily drinking since the hunt was over so he's in a chatty mood. The fact that this guy's job sounded even more bizarre than his own world was intriguing on its own, but now he was motivated by liquid courage to invite him out onto a rooftop of all places to discuss. ]

[pointedlook]

Not really. It's more corporate knowledge than civilian— companies have a vested interest in keeping their information secret. Or paying to get information from their competitors.

[ You know, the usual corporate bullshit. CEOs who want to get ahead, who want dirt on their rivals. R&D looking for that extra edge.

Or people like Saito, who want to dissolve a competitor so they don't end up with a monopoly. A little more rare, especially since he'd asked for inception. ]

The PASIV, yeah, it's not easy to get a hold of. Took my first one when I left the military, grabbed my current one from a friend of a friend.

[handsomefoil]

And to think I thought doing it the old-fashioned way was risky and exciting.

[ Not that he's actually complaining. Wouldn't mind trying it out a different way, though. He doesn't get a whole lot of jobs regarding corporate espionage, but sometimes it's part of it and he likes being a well-rounded person.

The explanation seems way more logical. Can't imagine what regular people would do with it, but he imagines it wouldn't be pretty. He takes another small sip of his drink before eyeing the one he gave to Arthur, then nods at the name. PASIV... ]

So you've been doing that a while, eh?

[pointedlook]

The old-fashioned way is still risky and exciting, don't worry.

[ At this, Arthur pats Henry on the shoulder, a little grin lighting up his face. Here it's all about the old-fashioned way. Pickpocketing, selling their less than savory services. No PASIV or technology to earn their keep.

And hey, it helps to have a variety of skills. ]

Few years, give or take. Started out as an architect— someone who builds the dreamspace— but eventually moved into running point. Too many other jobs with shitty people running point will get to you.

[ That and he might be a little control freak. Just a little. Glancing at the bottle in his hand, he tilts it towards Henry. ]

Up for the paint thinner?

[handsomefoil]

[ He just grins in response, swirling the drink around in the bottle. The friendly rapport they'd already built to the point where even just polite touching is already involved doesn't wholly surprise Henry but he never expects himself to get so lucky. In this case, he doesn't have a specific purpose behind it other than to create a network of allies that he could turn to when he needs it, but this had gone a lot smoother than his other attempts on other people in the past.

That's a good sign, he thinks. ]

I take it you need at least a handful of people to get the operation running. Can't just be you running it alone.

[ Lets out a huff before nodding and gesturing to a trade. The absinthe is almost gone, but should still be enough for Arthur to appreciate, considering the newly labeled paint thinner is much harsher. ]

Yeah, give it here. I'm getting too used to the other stuff already.

[pointedlook]

[ He trades easily, handing the bottle to Henry. Two swigs were already starting to do their work; his face was feeling more flush than it had when he first got here. Strong stuff. The other bottle though, he sniffs curiously. It's not nearly as strong but it's still liquor. Seems familiar but he can't really place it.

After he takes a careful sip, he recognizes it. Absinthe. Tried it in a hipster bar in London after Eames had wheedled him into it. The memory makes him smile a little. ]

Bare minimum you need an extractor— the person wheedling the info out— an architect, and a point man. So, someone who can do the preliminary research, look for patterns on the target. Information compiling.

[ Tedious boring shit but he's good at it. ]

On more complicated jobs you might bring in a chemist for personalized mixes on the drugs used with the PASIV. Or a forger— basically a dream shapeshifter. Finding either one of those with enough talent can be a pain in the ass though.

[handsomefoil]

[ OK, moment of truth. He might just be buzzed but he swears he can see a little swirl of cloud coming from the bottle of the neck like some silly cartoon brew, but he's probably just imagining things. With no more hesitation, he brings the bottle to his lips and carefully tips it back.

The initial shock of taste (if he can even call it that) has him swallowing very quickly and he cringes just a little bit as it burns all the way down. He shakes his head slightly and makes that classic "Khhhh" sound when it's over.]

Jesus, that's a taste bud killer.

[ He tries to retain the information that Arthur is giving him, but it's getting a little hazy for him. That pleasant buzz overtakes him a lot quicker with that last drink. ]

Sounds like you've got the job nobody else really wants but is absolutely required. I remember you asked me if I knew how to forge, I thought you meant in terms of items and goods. We aren't talking literal shapeshifting, yeah? Just uh, what is it... [ He snaps his fingers softly. ] Bloody hell, I guess what I'm imagining is, they just change the dreamer's... perception of themselves?

[pointedlook]

[ Moment of truth and then moment of hilarity, following quick on its heels. He laughs at Henry's reaction, just a short huff and a flicker of a smile. ]

Yeah well, you don't have to taste much when you're getting drunk.

[ And it feels good to be able to do so. Here there's danger of course, but there isn't Cobb losing his mind faster and faster. No scramble to get away from Cobol or any of the companies they've fucked over in the past. The US government isn't breathing down their necks and Arthur isn't desperately trying to disentangle Cobb's completely fucked over life before it got the rest of the team killed.

(Most importantly there's no ghost of Mallorie Cobb haunting him, snapping at his heels; he takes another drink.) ]

Oh, uh, I was asking if you knew how to forge. Documents and crap. Funny enough, the best forger in the business can actually do that too. Passports, birth certificates, CVs, you name it.

[ Best forger in the business. Yeah, take that compliment from 1790s France, Mr. Eames. ]

Pretty much. They can take the shape of whomever they want. Last forger I worked with could do a stunning take on the mark's pseudo-uncle as well a bombshell blonde of his own crafting.

[handsomefoil]

[ He nods in agreement, immediately going for another sip in hopes of it not being as bad as the first. At least the initial shock has worn off and he can just marvel at the strength of it all. He'll take fine scotch and whiskey over any of this shit though, any day. ]

Oh.

[ Is all he offers at first, thinking that yeah, maybe throwing random dreamscape job positions at a stranger from the get-go seems illogical. It makes sense that Arthur would've meant the more common term. He listens quietly at first, then as the description of the forger's work comes up he smiles. ]

That's some talent they've got there. Not my shtick, unfortunately.

[ Usually he's got A Guy to do that for him back home. Then he imagines a bombshell blonde, a woman he'd parted ways with after ten years of marriage, and immediately seems to sober up for a brief second. ]

She sounds like a sight for sores eyes right about now. No offense, you're very handsome in your own right.

[ And another bolder mouthful of the paint thinner. ]

[pointedlook]

He's uh, he's something.

[ There's not really a lot of words for Eames. Ok there are but he's starting to feel that buzz more strongly. Plus all he can think of is how aggravating and infuriatingly brilliant the forger can be. And how he hadn't just abandoned them in the middle of the inception job, even though he had every right to.

He definitely hasn't had enough to drink for this, so he swallows some more absinthe. ]

She's not bad, if you can get past the fact it's a British ex-pat built like some kind of MMA fighter that's the face behind it.

[ Arthur shrugs at first and then looks at Henry a little more sharply, eyes narrowing. His face relaxes after a second, a coy smile curling his mouth. ]

Hey now. If you're going to be slinging compliments I'm gonna need something stronger. Besides, you're pretty easy on the eyes yourself.

[handsomefoil]

[ He laughs, then immediately tries to quell the outbust at the image, pressing his mouth to the back of his hand and trailing off into a chuckle. Yeah, that would definitely be a shock. ]

Sounds like a man I'd like to meet under less deceiving circumstances, at least.

[ He immediately offers the paint thinner again, but his expression is almost comically incredulous. ]

Stronger? You sure? Your poor liver... would it be worth its sacrifice?

[pointedlook]

Eames? You know, I think you'd get on with him. He's a flirtatious asshole but he's brilliant.

[ Flirtatious asshole is a huge understatement. All those 'darling's he had directed his way during the last job. Arthur had been close to strangling him as much it had entertained him. ]

As long as I don't make it a habit. [ With that, Arthur takes the offered bottle, downs a long pull and relishes in the near immediate buzzing under his skin. Looking down at his hands, his mouth twists into a wry smile. ]

Not a lot of drinking on the job. Kind of a paranoid way to live, most of the time.

[handsomefoil]

A winning combination, as far as I know.

[ There's usually a lot of fun to be had with types like that. That being said,
he watches Arthur down a good portion of the stuff and wonders if this guy just never had a relaxing day in his life or something. ]

That it is. Does a fine job of disrupting my tolerance, but eh, it's a small price to pay I think.

[ The rest of the absinthe is gone though, Henry takes the rest. ]

[pointedlook]

I guess it can be.

[ Arthur's agrees, a little more sober, a little more quiet. Thinking about the team in any portion is suddenly making him morose. Even if inception had been hell in a hand basket. ]

Kind of sucks. These stressful jobs and no way to let off steam.

[ The alcohol is really hitting him now, if he's willing to admit the amount of stress he usually piles on himself. He still can't imagine leaving dreamshare, because he likes the job too much. But it was definitely one way to shorten a life span. Arthur hadn't seen himself as someone who lived very long anyway though. More of a work hard, play hard, die young sort of deal.

Unfortunately he hasn't had much time for the play hard part of things since helping Cobb run around the world.

Part of him is in disbelief that he's even considering this but– he's warm from the alcohol and Henry's already made a pass. He doesn't have much to lose. ]

Hey. Can I kiss you?