Conception

Inspired by "Conception" - by C.C., July 29th

Ariadne

There's something about him, something intriguing. Something that I've seldom seen in others. He seems so confident, almost arrogant in every stride he takes and every word he utters. He seems invincible...

When he first came to me with his tests, I felt a strong need to prove myself to him. And the deeper I went, the deeper I tread into this labyrinth, the more faith I put in him, unknowingly. There was no doubting his intelligence. But the man is bloody reckless.

I'd like to grow into someone with his skills, but not his traits. He seems unabashedly individualistic in everything he does. He has everything justified in his mind, from every little mistake to every life altering blunder he's made. And that's why I'd rather just have him as an acquaintance.

Perhaps, I have the power to save him. After all, his subconscious allowed me into a very private part of his dream. A subconscious in which he hides so much pain, in a mind that's lived his years. Yet, there's something about him. A shout for help that his aura exudes; not in a helpless, but in a strangely endearing sort of way.

He never does reveal anything to his close associates. It makes me wonder what he feels about me... I think I should be cautious; he may just be using me like he does everyone else. Yet, there's something about him.

Arthur

It's not possible; I know this for a fact. Call me a cynic, but I would rather be safe and rich than be sorry and dead. It's just old loyalties that bind me with him; otherwise the story would've been a lot different.

I'm not in it for the accolades, or the fanfare. I'd rather just get my paycheck and get out the side door. But he's exactly the opposite.

But I sympathize with him. He's truly changed, shattered after what Mal did. I don't disapprove his occasional outburst, to divert the attention from his real problems. It gives him a false sense of security and I don't mind giving it to him. He needs to feel like he's the boss, and I let him have it.

After all, he brought me into this game. And for years, it's been convenient being his researcher. With him as the subject, we manage to get the job done.

She is simply awe struck by him. And women with such imaginations always go for the quarterback. She's caught up with this sense of righteousness with wanting to save him. From himself. She'd could invest her time learning the tricks of our trade, instead. But she will learn, in time. It's not possible.

Eames

I'm an artist. Perhaps, I could be known as an impersonator or forger, but I practice an art. It's not something that these operational lads could ever get a hold of.

I'd rather live a life in peace than fend for my life every single day. Living in Cobol's backyard isn't easy. It requires a certain finesse with people, something Cobb and Arthur will never have the patience for.

Brick and mortar jobs don’t stimulate me, and the only reason I'm working with them on this one is the challenge. Perhaps it's the niggling thought of failure the last time around that spurs me on. But I'll give it a shot. It's worth the money, and it's insured. All I need.

I have the easiest 'out' in this alliance, the best way I see fit. While there are always going to be buyers for what I sell, I want to indulge myself in this enormously challenging canvas for my palette. I don't need to, I have all the money and peace I need. What I do need, however, is an inspiration. I'm an artist.

Saito

I want domination. After you get to this point in your life, you start realizing that you want other things. Starting from where I did, I acquired everything that I wanted. Money, Respect, Power. Except this.

I need to have it all. I know the industry like the back of my palm. What I can't do is compete with Maurice Fischer. The old log commands a respect amongst everyone from the President of his country to his every last employee in his factory. He's been good with me, and I hate that I respect that man every bit as everyone else does.

Robert Fischer will face the wrath of corporate war in every domain possible. The only problem is, Fischer Jr. is forewarned. He's going to be prepared to fight this war, along with the army his able father has trained and deployed at his disposal.

Cobb may very well be my last ray of hope. His team can be rewarded with whatever they'd like. Anything they ask will be done. All I want is domination.

Fischer

He was never there. Never a man to express his emotions. Never there for me, during my poetry recitals, my soccer games, my graduation.

All those times I'd wonder what a man like him was driven by. After all, he was always there for his shareholders, his employees, his customers. Everyone, in his professional life. They respected him more than any man I've ever known. There are times when I wondered how the same man could be so disparate in his life.

I looked up to Peter as a father figure all along. He was my father's most trusted aide, and probably knew me better than him. Yet, I believe Dad really did love me. That he was terrible at expressing it, but he did everything in his life, with the sole purpose of providing a great future for me. That one thought, of what he meant to say to me, when he was on his death bed, overwhelmed me more than anything else in my life. It doesn’t bring anything back, but it makes up. For the times he was never there.

Cobb

Guilt. That guilt is always there reminding me of the truth.

Perfection had taken a toll on me. I wanted imperfection after a while. I wanted us to experience joy and sorrow, ecstasy and disappointment, exuberance and anguish. I wanted to feel, again.

I wanted us to snap out of it. She did, in the only way she knew how. And I can't let Philippa and James pay for my deception. Not anymore. Even if I need to answer their questions all my life. Even if they find me at fault for killing her. I have to do this, the right way.

And even when I do, that guilt will always be there reminding me of the truth.