Perseus tried his best not to let the anxiety get to him, but knowing that Mister Olympic was a potential threat as well as the fact there were two powerful Armatus users who MacGonagall said he didn't call in but did notify that he might bring them in who were aware that a powerful Armatus holder was in the area and might want a peace of him were caused for concern. That added to the fact his ex-girlfriend if you could even call her that might just attack him out of spite. She had a sister who was a user and could easily try teaming up on him. She knew where he lived after all. There was also the fact Chronos’ user was also bumping around somewhere with knowledge of the alternative timeline.

  Perseus was for some reason sure the man in white in the background of the photo he took with his friends at sixteen was in fact the holder of Chronos, primordial lord of time. Neptuna sighed loudly. “How about we focus on right here, right now. We can cross that bridge when we come to it. Thinking about the future isn't doing much good right now. Also I can't help but notice you didn't mutter anything about concerns about what'll happen to you after I've moved on.”

  Perseus looked up at her. “Right, sorry. We've quickly become such a close friend but we both know we aren't going to achieve ascension together and that's your entire goal. As a friend I can't in good conscience hold you back from that goal. I can't exactly ask you to stay till I die and put your dreams on hold for me. That would be selfish.” Neptuna looked to the ground. “It's not selfish to want to be happy and do things for yourself every once in a while.”

  Perseus nodded. “I know. I do think about what I want. I'm just hoping to find a way we can both be happy and get what we want. If you can't get what you want with me then the least I can do is help you to find what you are looking for.” Neptuna nodded. “Yeah, I know you're just doing your best to help me get what I want. But what if I can't have what I want?” Perseus shrugged. “Either keep chasing it, or let it go and find something new to want. If what you want is impossible, it might be best to move on.” Neptuna nodded with a frown. “Yeah, I guess.”

  Chrysaor was texting back and forth with the latest woman he's decided to spend time with, with full knowledge she was dating his younger brother. Things were going well and the two had decided to start seriously dating and make it official. After a number of dates arranged for dinner after work Chrysaor was invited to dinner at her place to meet the family to announce the relationship to her folks. A big step reached relatively quickly. Only a few weeks of dating and things were already getting serious. After making himself fresh and putting on a nice outfit he headed out to his date.

  He arrived via car, a Swedish import with a turbo engine. A ugly looking thing according to his brother but he didn't care. He knocked on the door flowers in hand but got extremely nervous at the door. “(Something’s off, I can feel it.)” Venus replied back in his effeminate voice. “There's at least one person in this house with an Armatus. Didn't even have one yet and you were already getting close to where one was without knowing it.” Chrysaor adjusted his collar. “(And will they be able to tell I've got an Armatus too?)” Venus nodded, now floating by his side. “Yeah, unless there's two then they might not notice it.”

  Chrysaor tilted his head. “(What are the odds that two people in the same house would be chosen.?)” Venus chuckled. “You'd think it would be low but you'd be surprised how often it happens.” The door finally opened and June stood on the other side. She gave him a kiss and invited him in. Chrysaor was led to the table where they were just setting up plates. June's parents plus three siblings all sat down and started grabbing food from the center as Chrysaor was led to a chair. “Everyone, this is my new boyfriend, Chrysaor.”

  Chrysaor sat and awkwardly waved at everyone. “Just Chrys is fine.” Most of the table verbally greeted him but one of the sisters simply nodded while looking down at the table. June gestured to that sister. “That's Aida, don't mind her she doesn't talk to anybody.” Jade looked Chrysaor up and down. “(He looks like a slightly shorter, more well kept, more confident, and more muscular version of the Perseus I met not long ago. I met a Perseus in highschool with a brother named Chrysaor. …. Wait.)” Jade looked up. “You wouldn't happen to have a younger brother named Perseus who lives in New Haden would you?”

  Chrysaor perked up slightly. “Yeah, I actually do. Lived in New Haden his whole life. I myself however moved to New Corinth as soon as I could afford it. Percy makes enough to move as well but refuses to for some reason.” Jade’s eyes widened. “Ah, I ran into him a while back. Talk about a small world ay.” She chuckled before starting to eat. “(Oh god, they're the same Perseus.)” Everyone else started eating and casually talking, with the parents asking Chrysaor about what he does for a living and such.

  Eventually the dinner finished and the parents left to go to their bedroom. Jade started clearing the table as June did a stretch. Aiden put his own plate away before scampering off. Aida followed shortly after. Now it was just the three of them and Chrysaor couldn't help but notice how calm the two were. “(Either it's not one of them, or it's both of them. Because I'm the only one on guard here. Is there anyway to find out who they are parked with without them bringing it out?)” Venus shook his head. “Nope, and only a user can see the manifestation.”

  Jade started doing dishes as Chrysaor and June started talking casually about how well it seemed to go. “Oh god Artemis… that Percy I ran into is the same one I met in highschool.” She tugged on her hair lightly. Artemis manifested at Jade's side. She was wearing camouflage cargo pants and an open camouflage jacket over a simple green tank top with silver accents forming a meander pattern running from the straps down the top. “Okay, so what's the big deal if it's the same guy?” Jade scratched at her head as one hand moved washed items through water to rinse before putting them in a dryer rack. “I used to have a huge crush on him in junior high and I'm fairly sure Percy has an Armatus.”

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  Artemis looked over at June. “June might know, she has one too, remember. If they dated, even if it was your sister's idea of a cruel joke, she might know who he's paired with.” Jade shook her head. “Even if I wanted to talk to her she's got her latest himbo here. Seriously, she really needs to stop going for the same type of guy.” Artemis shrugged. “I hope your old feelings don't get in the way. Besides, in my old life as a goddess I swore off romance and stuff. Though I myself was in love once. Us gods were just as flawed as humans so it's only natural to make mistakes.”

  Jade rolled her eyes. “It may not have been something I was actively after when we met, but I'm not going to do a chastity oath just because you did. If that means we can never ascend then so be it.” Artemis sighed. “Just be careful okay. Perseus is a potential enemy.” Jade finished up the dishes as June was giving Chrysaor a goodbye kiss before he left. Jade crossed her arms at June. “You really know how to pick them, don't you?” June glared at her sister. “Don't judge me. You're just mad because your short ass has never known the warmth of a man.”

  Jade shook her head. “Yeah, because I don't throw my arms around every beautiful idiot that crosses my path.” June snapped back. “No, it's because you're as short as a child and the only kind of person that would want to be with you is a closet pedophile.” Jade pressed her lips together and breathed in hard ready to shout some sort of comeback involving how promiscuous her sister seemed. But she paused, took a few deep breaths, and decided it wasn't worth it. “You know what, I'm too tired for your crap right now. I'm going to my room.”

  Jade practically stormed off and went to her bedroom. She huffed and sat on her bed with arms crossed. “Maybe I should move out. I'm almost twenty two and it's not like I have no money. It just isn't enough to afford rent in New Rhodes.” Artemis shrugged. “Honestly I'm surprised you stayed this long.”

  Chrysaor was focused on his breathing as he drove home. “Man, I really hope this doesn't go to crap. June is so hot. Even if she has an Armatus that wouldn't mean things can't work out right?” Venus shrugged. “Honey, I'm not going to tell you what to do. But know this, once the drama starts I'm grabbing the popcorn.” Chrysaor chuckles. “Man, you're so catty. You sure are a sassy drama queen that loves a good show.” Venus does an exaggerated snap. “You know it girlfriend. I love me some good tea. Spillin’, sippin’, porin’ it on me to get my tee-shirt wet. Mmm~ Nothing beats a good wet tee-shirt contest.”

  Chrysaor chuckles again. “You need to chill man, jeez. I'd hate to see how excited you get for jello wrestling.” Venus’ eyes widened. “People wrestle in jello?! By Olympus you humans sure do know how to have a good time.” Chrysaor let out a short laugh. Yeah, we definitely are a creative sort.” The rest of the car ride is in relative silence.

  Perseus had gone out to the library, now the weekend. He looked at his phone to look at a text from his brother. He was reporting that he was in a new relationship and had met the girl's parents. Things were serious and he wanted to introduce her to his own family and was asking Perseus to attend. Perseus stared at the text for a while before finally responding that they could set up a day. The text had already sat in his inbox for a couple of days but Perseus was still on the fence about mending things with his brother. “It's like a cycle for him. As soon as things are going too well or taking a bad turn he'll bounce and be back on his same old shit again.”

  Neptuna sighed as Perseus sat down with a book to read. “Yet you keep giving him chances.” Perseus hummed. “I thought I was done giving him chances but something is different this time. I think he actually wants to do better. Doesn't mean he'll succeed but at least it's a genuine effort.” Neptuna moved herself to look like she was sitting in a chair at the table. “You're too nice sometimes Percy.” Perseus sighed and focused on his book. Eventually he finished it and stood up to return it and leave.

  As he was turning to walk out he took a step forward without exactly looking forward and slammed into someone knocking them over. “Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I really have to look where I'm going.” He reached his hand out to realize it was Jade. “Listen here you-” She turned to see Perseus and stopped mid sentence. “Oh, Perseus. Heh. Hi. I'm totally fine.” She got up without grabbing his hand and brushed herself off. “Just be more careful, okay.” Perseus rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed. “Right, sorry.” Jade looked at the book, then Perseus. “Hey, you went to New Haden Junior High right?”

  Perseus nodded. “And I graduated from the high school there.” Jade nodded. “My parents sent me there for a year as a sort of punishment at one point, but I also requested a transfer. Didn't expect New Haden though. I think I might have had some classes with you.” Perseus scratched his head trying to think. “I don't remember having any classes with someone named Jade. I'm not the best with names though.” Jade shifted back and forth. “No one… no one called me Jade back then. I had this stupid nickname I couldn't get rid of. Everyone called me Kite.”

  Perseus sputtered out a laugh but covered his mouth. “I remember you now. I always wondered what happened to you after that first year. Small world. To think I would run into you again after all this time.” Perseus walked to the counter to return the book. Jade also slid a book she was returning in the slot. Perseus shifted in place a bit. “Well it was nice seeing you again.” He started walking out, Jade followed. “Wait, I wanted to talk to you about something actually.” Perseus tilted his head. “Oh? Right. I suppose we should clear the air considering our conditions.” The two walked out and found a somewhat private area outside.

  Once the two were in an isolated area outside Perseus looked around just to be sure. “Looks like we're clear so I suppose I'll get right down to business. You and I both know the other has an Armatus. The question is, are you my enemy?” Jade leaped a bit. “(Right, I almost forgot about that)” “I don't see a reason why we would be enemies.” Perseus rolled his wrist. “Well your sister isn't exactly a fan. And I'm not sure what kind of relationship our partners have because as far as I know they didn't interact that much or at all in the old days and I don't know what kind of interaction they've had since. Your partner is either Artemis or Tsukuyomi.”

  Jade did another small jump of surprise. “(How did he- no, that's not important right now.)” “Artemis. And you?” Perseus sighed. “Poseidon. Or rather Neptuna. It's a long story.” Jade nodded. “So about us knowing each other back in junior high?” Perseus shifted. “We were on friendly terms then and you seem unfriendly with your sister who hates me. If nothing else, enemy of my enemy.” Jade shifted back and forth. “Okay.“ “(Damn it Perseus that wasn't what I was asking.)” “Do you… not remember our relationship back then?”

  Perseus shifted back and forth. “We were good friends who bonded over the fact we got bullied. Although…” He cut himself off but continued. “That was a long time ago. Maybe we could meet up and catch up. I could always use another friend and ally.” Jade nodded, trying to hide her enthusiasm. “I'd like that very much.” Perseus wrote something on a paper. “Let's exchange numbers.” Jade nodded and quickly wrote down hers. Once numbers were exchanged the two separated to go about their days. Jade felt her heart pounding. “Oh god, it's like all those old feelings came rushing back.” She breathed a few times to calm herself. “Okay, okay. I'm not some shy kid anymore. Things will be different this time.”