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[diastereomer]

[ After years of watching the sparks fly from strikers and oils accidentally set alight, Yusuf is less interested in the lanterns than what he just saw walk past him. More accurately, what was in the hand of the person who just walked past him.

Kebabs.

You can bet that he sets out after the smell of grilled meat with the fervor of a woman looking for her lost child. He follows the faint charred smell (that Yusuf can, for once in this godforsaken city, say isn't his fault) to a small stall with an already established line.

Even through the charred smell (really, the vendor should clean out the drippings or something...) Yusuf's mouth waters as he takes his place in the line.

He's going to cry if the person who just walked by was carrying a paper cup of boondi laddoos. ]

Comments

[signatures]

These people have a rather nice cart right outside my work.

[ Excuse Eames, people behind Yusuf, as he just slides right in line, hands clasping down on the man's shoulders and shaking a bit. If the people behind them shoot dirty looks, Eames only smiles in return.

Line cutters.

The worst kinds of people. ]

[diastereomer]

[ Ten years ago Yusuf might have had a problem with Eames using him to cut in line. Now though, Yusuf is too old and too used to Eames' shenanigans to get worked up about a couple dirty looks.

Besides, there's more important information at hand. ]

You knew of a kebab stand and you never took me?

[ We are so broken up. ]

[signatures]

I'm very sorry. I had several weak and selfish moments.

[ His arms encircle Yusuf's shoulders lightly, peering at the stand's prices. They've gone up a little bit; smart business man, this stall owner. ]

I'll buy you whatever you like to make up for it, hm?

[diastereomer]

[ A nudge of his shoulder against Eames' chest is all the response he gets. They've both had their moments, some worse than others, but they've pulled through somehow or other- enough that the badge of friendship is still intact, if not more valuable for the wear and tear. ]

Your wallet will not thank you for that promise, we both know I have never been a cheap date.

[signatures]

I'm used to paying for my money's worth. [ There's a short, sharp grin on Eames' mouth, arms slipping away as he steps around Yusuf to stand beside him instead. ]

Enjoying yourself?

[diastereomer]

Try and make it sound a little less like I am a kept man. [ Which, considering how the one job interview he went to he ended in his kissing the interviewer, he kind of is a kept man. He's working on the job thing- really. ]

Truthfully the kebabs are enough to have made the trip worth it- but yes, the lights are enjoyable. Seems like everyone is out en masse tonight. [ Yusuf glances at Eames' jacket- looking for any wallet shaped bulges. ] And you? Out for fun or for profit tonight?

[signatures]

Stop being one and I'll stop announcing it, [ Eames retorts breezily, raising his brows a bit at Yusuf's next comment. ]

A bit of both. Fun can be acquiring profits, you know. [ There may be no bulges to be directly seen but that doesn't mean Eames isn't carrying - one must stretch their fingers every now and again, after all. Keeps him sharp. ] Nor did I want to stay in the house all day.

[diastereomer]

It is a work in progress. Shouldn't rush a good thing. [ Which might have been true a couple months ago, but Yusuf is actually starting to itch for some work- he might have to give Natasha a call. ]

Mmm, so long as we all profit. [ A quick glance around tells him that Eames either wandered away from the others or he decided to come out by himself. ] Arthur or Ariadne around?

[ Because Eames coming out with Cobb is... far fetched, at the moment. ]

[signatures]

I saw Ariadne around, yes. Arthur went to lunch with Cobb.

[ He likes Cobb just fine. It's not his fault he's been rather sparky lately. Rather violently so. ]

[diastereomer]

[ Given the few interactions Yusuf has had with Cobb, he hardly knows the man Arthur seems ready to jump in front of a train for.

Possibly... a tad tasteless, but not bad analogy, Yusuf figures. ]

Then the animals have the run of the house.

[signatures]

We should get Ariadne to go back first to have to clean up the mess.