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[Inexplicably, she looks down at her food.] I'm going to take that as a compliment, and say that's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.

[And a louder laugh.] Considering I'm the one talking, I think that's safe to assume.

Oh, I don't know about that. I don't think it's really safe to assume anything about you. [For someone used to figuring people out pretty fast, Arthur often has her stumped.]

[Probably true enough. He takes a bite of food.] Well, think about it this way. You know I'm a man of habits, and I like my habits. So for me to be with you if I'd call you less than normal...

Must be a compliment. [He smiles with the corner of his mouth, meeting her eyes.] You consented to swing dancing on a first date--though I was sure long before that you weren't anything close to normal.

I think it was the way you yelled at Cobb that first day in the dream.

[She does laugh at that.] So wait, you're saying you were attracted to me because I was upset and yelling at you and Cobb?

I don't remember you yelling at me. [He's still smiling.] But, in a way, yes. Not because you were upset, but because you spoke your mind without considering the repercussions. You were just this grad student, alone in a warehouse with two strange men you knew to be on the other side of the law, and you didn't even think of anything but holding Cobb accountable for his actions--even though, as I've heard, they were your fault too since he warned you multiple times to stop changing things in the dream.

Well, I maybe didn't yell at you, but I did implicate you. [She raises her eyebrows a little.] And he could've explained things better before letting me loose. [Whether that would've stopped her from doing what she did, is another story, but the fact remains. And then she gives Arthur a half-smile.] So basically I was brash and thoughtless and didn't care that you're criminals who know how to use guns and that was a turn-on?

... You assumed we knew how to use guns?

Yeah... I mean I figured probably. The nice clothes, the fancy gadgets. Almost like James Bond. [She shrugs.]

[See, this is why this job is dangerous. It's not a movie. Arthur doesn't mention it.] I didn't say I was turned on. I took notice, that's all.

[He doesn't have to mention it; Ariadne feels like she needs to explain herself further, anyway.] Look, Miles would never introduce me to someone who would pull a gun on me for telling him off. Did I figure you were probably dangerous? Sure. Psychos? No.

So, I was a little intimidated. But I make it a point not to ever let that feeling last. I'm not a pushover. I may look like a little girl, but I'm not. Miles knew I'd be able to impress you, and I did, didn't I? You noticed. Well, I noticed your penrose steps.

[Despite her--of perhaps because of her--absolute chin-raised seriousness, Arthur is laughing by the time Ariadne is finished standing on her soapbox.]

Sometimes I think Miles picked you just to teach Cobb a lesson.

Sometimes I think Miles is omniscient, despite his claims to the contrary.

[She tries to scowl, but she's too close to smiling for it to work.] This is why you frustrate me. I try to joke around and you lecture me; I get serious and you laugh at me. How do I even begin to know how to act around you?

Depends wholly on the points being made, I think.

[Arthur leans in, reaching across the table to brush the back of her hand.] And I'd say the best course of action is just acting like yourself. Obviously I enjoy your consternation.

It'd be stupid to try and change anything about myself at this point, anyway. Obviously, you like me this way. Whatever I've been doing right, I wouldn't want to risk changing it. [She gives him what she hopes looks like an exasperated sigh.]

[The ruse fails... or he really does enjoy her consternation, because he smiles in response to the sigh.] Stubborn, opinionated, nosy, entirely too proud of yourself...

[She can't help it; she grins a little. It's a playful, wicked sort of smile.] You like me when I'm assertive. You said so yourself - you noticed.

Assertive. That's a nice way of putting it. [Now he's just teasing.] Yes, I noticed your assertiveness and you noticed my steps.

I noticed your butt going up the steps. [She's teasing, too. Hey, he likes her being assertive, right?]

So it wasn't even my attention to fine lacquered flooring, it was just my butt. I feel so objectified.

Yes. And the next time I build a dream for you, I'll make sure you wear nothing but a Speedo. [She bites her lip on a laugh.]

Please tell me you wouldn't.

[She buries her face in her arms, laughing. It'll be a minute or two before she can answer.]

I don't share well, so no.

Yes, I'm sure that me in a speedo would draw the crowds. [He snorts and starts eating again.]

Ah, you're right. You're nothing much to look at. Prepare for a Hawaiian beach, Arthur, and a Speedo. [She throws another piece of bread at his face.]