Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me.
"Ari..." Arthur spoke hesitantly, gently. "Ari, please. you need to listen to me."
"Do I?" she asked, her tone defiant. Arthur swallowed - he was beginning to feel that traps were being laid for him, at any point he might come into contact with another projection. "Yes."
"Arthur, just leave me alone. I know you're not interested."
"Really?" he snapped. "Well, clearly, you don't know me at all."
"Well..."
He swallowed. This was her dream - he was merely letting her fill his mind with her subconscious. "I'll take you out."
"What?" she pulled a disgusted face. "You really want to be seen in public with me?"
"Yes, I actually do!" his temper was beginning to rise, and his patience beginning to lessen. "I want to take you out, for a meal! Now go home, and get changed!"
She looked at him, shocked. "Arthur..."
"What?" he snapped.
"You're- telling me, to do...?"
"Yes, I am!" Arthur's frustration was boiling over. "Look, go home, get changed. I'll meet you at 7pm."
"Where?"
"At your place."
"But-"
"Just...I'll see you there."
He bit his lip. As he'd walked through the warehouse, and gone outside, into the sunshine, he'd realised that this was a strange alternative world. One where he discovered that his flat, rather than decorated in art prints and carefully selected coffee table books, was filled with posters of bands and scruffy paperbacks, and to his chagrin, he also had no suits. After flicking through his clothes for the best part of half an hour, he eventually selected a pair of black jeans, and white shirt. He peered at himself, and decided to shave. He slicked his hair back, and nodded at himself. He was ready.
Leaving the apartment, he headed for Ariadne's.
As he approached her building, he grew apprehensive. He had no idea what to expect. She had been wearing baggy clothes in the dream, as though too embarrassed to reveal herself. He shook his head, wondering what she would wear now.
As he approached, he saw her, and began to smile. She was wearing jeans, and a tunic top. Her hair was shining in waves around her face.
"You look gorgeous," he said sincerely.
She clapped her hand over her mouth. "Arthur!"
"Oh, yeah..." he said, nervously, running his hand over his face. "Yes, um-"
She bit her lip. "its just you remind me of-"
He shook his head. "I'm not him." He looked at her. "I promise you, I'm not him. I'm not him."
She looked at him. "Prove it."
All readers appreciated, and I'd love some reviews, thank you!