Perseus looked at the door, he had not been expecting any other guests and few people visited him. It was likely a Jehovah's Witness but it could be Ginger. He got up and walked to the door to answer it, but regretted opening it as soon as he saw who was on the other side. He let out an exasperated sigh. “If you are looking for a place to lay low or want to borrow money, you can just leave.”
The person on the other end looked like Perseus but with a curly Afro and full beard and a wider more muscular build. “I can't just want to visit my little brother out of the blue?” The man asked. Perseus took a strict tone with the man. “Unless you've cleaned up your act, no. Now tell me Chrysaor, you wouldn't happen to have an outstanding warrant on you?” Chrysaor chuckled. “I've been out of trouble for six months now. Haven't so much as had a drop of alcohol either.”
Perseus steps in and lets the man enter. “If the cops come looking I'm turning you in and if anything goes missing I'll come after you myself.” Chrysaor walks in. “Cool cool. I see you have some friends over. Hi Victor. Everyone else is a new face.” Perseus sighs. “Everyone, this is my idiot of an older brother who is an absolute delinquent Chrysaor. Chrys for short. Chrys, these are my friends. Hector.” Hector gives an up nod. “Hey there handsome~ You wouldn't happen to swing my way, would you?” Perseus groans. “I get being into bad boys or whatever but please don't. Also no, he's straighter than I am.”
Perseus gestures to Jaclyn. “This is Hector’s sister, Jaclyn.” She gives a simple “hi” before Perseus gestures to June. “Last but not least, this is June.” June grumbles at Chrysaor. “I'vr definitely become familiar with his type. I get he's your brother but I wouldn't give him the time of day. Even if he is rather good looking.” Chrysaor does a light bow. “I see two very lovely ladies that aren't the red head my brother usually hangs out with. If either of you want to spend time with a real man, give me a call.”
Perseus raises his voice slightly. “I didn't let you in so you could make a pass at every woman I happen to have in my home. You may be blood but I won't hesitate to kick you out. I've already told you I am done dealing with your bull and I am done bailing you out and cleaning up your messes. I'm the youngest, I should not have to babysit you. I don't understand why you can't straighten yourself out like Theo and get a good steady job.” Chrysaor laughed. “Theseus used to be worse than I am. At least I've never ended up in actual prison. Sure, I've been in holding a few times, but I've never done hard time.”
Perseus raised his voice more. “Maybe you should, maybe that's what it'll take for you to clean your act. Theseus cleaned up his. He's even got a wife and kids now.” Chrysaor paused a moment before speaking. “Look, I don't want to fight. I didn't come here to argue. I just wanted to spend some quality time with my younger brother.” Perseus grumbles. “You only show up when you want something, you only care about yourself. You haven't given a damn about another person in your life.”
Chrysaor raised his voice. “What about all the times I stood up for you in school? What about all the times I fought bullies on your behalf?” Perseus raised his voice above what Chrysaor did. “What about all the times where all that did is make them come at me harder. You didn't fight them for me, you just wanted to be a tough guy and show off how strong you are.” There is a moment of silence before Perseus talks at a normal volume. “Would you like some tea? Chrysaor nods and sits down while Perseus makes tea.
Once made he pours some for everyone. “So why are you here, really? No bs, no lies. You didn't just come here to say hi and reminisce about old times.” Chrysaor moved his fingers around on the cup. “I… I messed up badly this time. Really badly. I was just trying to run my hustle, earn some extra money. I…” he sighs “I'm in trouble, real trouble. Not with the police this time. With the criminals.” Perseus took a stern tone. “What did you do?”
Chrysaor became slightly frantic. “I was just trying to do business, I didn't even think anyone would take notice but… one of MacGonagall’s men caught wind of my operation and now they want to snuff me out like a candle. Apparently he takes his local drug monopoly seriously and drives out all competition to remain the only game in the three cities. I didn't think he would care about a small operation in the more rural areas of New Haden.”
Perseus let out an exasperated sigh. “You've been trying to get into the game since we were still in middle school. Slinging your crap from the New Haden kids to the New Rhodes kids. Thinking the richer brats with daddy's money would spend more and not be able to tell you were slinging low quality garbage. I'm surprised it took this long for a big fish to notice you've been making deals under the table.”
Chrysaor looks to the side as Perseus continues. “I don't know what you expect me to do about it. I suggest you lay low till they forget about you or decide you aren't worth it and quit while you are still alive. No more street pharmaceuticals. You're not Doctor Woz.” Chrysaor lowered his head. “I wasn't sure where else to go. I… I'm scared. MacGonagall might have one of his goons give me cement slippers and have me sleep with the fish.”
Perseus sighs again. “Well maybe if we are lucky he won't be the big fish for long. Someone has to topple him eventually. You get some rest, but I want you gone tomorrow.” Chrysaor nods. “I shouldn't stay in one place too long anyway.” He drinks the tea he was given before laying down on the couch. Everyone but Victor moved to Perseus' bedroom. “Sorry about my brother, he's… a lot.”
Jaclyn looked out the door. “You know… we could use him as bait.” Perseus quickly retorted. “And risk him learning my identity because it's my brother? No thanks.” Jaclyn lightly waved a hand around. “I guess that makes sense. MacGonagall would likely figure out whoever baited him had a connection to the bait and he wouldn't come personally anyway.” Perseus nods. “No shortcuts, unfortunately. We still have to flush him out either way.”
June shuffled around. “You haven't told me about your family yet. Is everyone else as full of themselves as Chrys?” Perseus laughed. “Nah. My oldest sister, Library, is a manager at a supplement and home remedy supply store that sells everything from protein powder to CBD. She's got a few kids with the oldest being in highschool. The oldest brother, Theseus, is a mechanic. Wife and a few kids. He was a delinquent in his youth but got scared straight after a scheme went wrong.”
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June looked out the door. “And Chrysaor?” Perseus sighed. “There is a gap between Theo and us, complications during the birth. Our mother was told her having more was extremely unlikely. Then after eight years of not bothering with contraceptives my parents managed to have a miracle child. Then had me a year and a half later. He's the star child, sent from the heavens. A spoiled brat who rarely got told no. Meanwhile I became independent at a very young age and rarely got any attention because they were too busy dealing with him.”
June put a hand over her mouth. “That's terrible. Well at least you turned out okay, I guess.” Perseus nods. “Liberty was like a second mother to me and Chrys but even with that I was basically raising myself after a point. That combined with my mother's declining mental health and my father having always been emotionally distant I don't exactly spend much time with family. I don't want to bother my siblings outside holidays unless necessary because they have enough on their plates while raising kids.”
June nods in understanding and the group sits silently before Persus sets his brother up in a spare room. “Victor, keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't pocket anything. I'm going to make sure everyone gets home and be right back.” Victor nods in confirmation before Perseus does exactly as he said. Once back he checks on his sleeping brother before going to relax himself. When the next day came Perseus did his morning routine but made enough breakfast for three so Victor and Chrysaor could eat. After breakfast Perseus rushed his older but definitely not wiser brother out the door to find a friend to crash at so he's not at one place for too long.
Once that was done Perseus made sure Victor got home safely and went about his day. Wanting a chance to destress he set up a second date with June. The two met up at the local sub shop and sat at a table outside. “So now that you've gotten a glimpse into my family, what's yours like?” June sighed, taking a sip of her drink before answering. “I've got a sister named Jade and two step siblings. Caden and Aida. My mother raised me and my sister by herself after my dad left her for another woman. He's currently dating someone my age. Mom recently got remarried to a nice guy who does roofing for a living.”
Perseus nods. “You get along with all your siblings?” June does a so-so gesture. “About as well as normal siblings I guess. Jade and I are so different we might as well be opposites but not in the same way as you and your brother. Aida is a talented artist, shy and quiet so it's hard to get close to her. I think she has some sort of mental thing going on. Autism maybe? She's good people though. Her brother on the other hand… let's just say he's watched too many videos of a set genre on the hub.”
Perseus nearly choked on his food and had to take a drink. “Oh god.” He chuckles a bit. “That’s horrible but hilarious.” He laughs a bit more. “Help me step ladder, I'm stuck.” June rolls her eyes. “It might be funny when it's someone else, not so much when it's you. If I had a nickel for every time that pervert arranged for me to “inconveniently” walk in on him, I could probably buy another foot long meal with chips and a soda.” Perseus lets out a short laugh. “That's gross. I'd punch him if I were you.” June chuckled. “I did, eventually. He eased up on me afterwards.”
Perseus takes a bite of his food and washes it down before taking. “Well that's good. I'd definitely like to meet your family eventually. Though that's not something we have to worry about anytime soon. Meeting the family normally doesn't happen till two people have been on several dates or have known one another for at least a month or two. I guess I could still be introduced to them even if we decide to just stay friends. Speaking of which, we only have one more date left. Are you still on the fence?” June nods. “We can definitely be friends but I don't know if we can work as a couple yet.”
Perseus hums. “Well that's fine. If we don't click there's little point in trying to force it.” The two casually sit and finish their meals before going for a walk. “I know I haven't exactly taken you out for anything fancy but honestly I'm not really that into fancy restaurants. I'm also not that big on movie theater dates early on because you don't really get to learn anything new about a person when you are focusing on a movie. However, I still feel like I should do something special for our third and final date even if we decide not to continue.”
June shook her head. “I'm not exactly materialistic so you don't have to go out of your way to buy me nice gifts or take me to nice places.” Perseus nods. “I'll still do my own thing that makes it special. Nothing that costs a lot of money though.” June hums. “Alright, I'm looking forward to it then. You've definitely piqued my curiosity.” The two continue to walk in silence with Perseus walking June home. “Alright then, I guess I'll see you later.”
June reaches for the door knob but pauses. “You could come in and rest for a bit, we've been walking for a while.” Perseus looked around. “I don't know… as someone who was born and raised in New Haden, I feel unwelcome in New Rhodes.” June tilts her head. “Oh so you're a native? Me too, of New Rhodes. Born and raised.” Perseus shifts around. “That… makes me a bit nervous. Though you are different then most New Rhodeans I've met. I guess I can come in and have a seat.”
Perseus looks around the extremely white, clean, and nice building before sitting on a couch. “Definitely didn't expect it to look so white.” June chuckles. “I'd paint it but the building is historical and the local homeowner’s association would have a fit. So I'm not even allowed to hang a picture with nails.” Perseus takes a second look around. “That's a bit unfortunate, but at least you have plenty of space.” June gives a small nod. “I'm going to lay down and relax. Feel free to let yourself out.”
June goes into another room while Perseus rusts his feet. After several minutes he gets up and prepares to walk back to the sandwich shop so he can drive home. He does a little stretch when he suddenly becomes aware of another presence in the room. He stops mid stretch to see someone standing in the entrance of the hallway. A girl with long dark hair and eyes with a thin frame who was a bit shorter than June stood there with a sketch pad in one hand and a pencil in the other. She looked to be about sixteen, the same age as Perseus' oldest niece.
Perseus stood there looking at the girl whose face was partly covered by her long hair. “Hello?” he said, unsure of how to react to this unexpected presence since June didn't mention she had someone else in the house. The girl put her face partly behind the notepad and offered a very small wave but didn't speak. “You must be Aida, your step sister told me about you. If I'm bothering you, I was about to head out.”
Aida shook her head and made fast but short steps in Perseus' direction while looking at the floor. She stopped just a few feet away and freed her other hand to make gestures with it. Perseus recognized it as american sign language. “Eh, are you deaf or mute? I'm sorry but you'll have to slow down a bit, I don't catch all of that.” Perseus knew some signs but often struggled to catch all of them in a conversation because of how fast the person has to sign.
Aida pushed her notebook to Perseus. He grabbed it and looked at the front image. It was a pencil shading. Using harder presses and darker lines to create an image with one color by creating false shadows where some spots were darker than others. At first glance the paper looked all black but when Perseus' eyes adjusted he could see the simulacrum of an image.
There was a man, sanding over rubble with a hand sticking out of it. Behind the man were buildings that seemed to me on fire. The man was bald and had a wicked grin on his face and the arm in the rubble was clearly injured. Perseus tilted his head. “I don't… understand.” Aida pulled back the notepad and carefully separated the paper from the pad and gently handed it to Perseus. She then gestured to indicate it was intended to be a gift for him.
Perseus eyed the art curiously. “Thanks I guess.” Still confused at this interaction. He then noticed a small smile underneath the hair covering Aida’s face and naturally smiled back. “Well it was nice meeting you but I really should go. See you around Aida.” He waved goodbye and she returned the wave shyly. Perseus then made his way back to his car that he had left at the sandwich shop, having chosen to walk because it was nice out and wasn't terribly far. Once home he put the drawing someplace safe and quickly settled in to relax.