It took a while for everyone to get in contact again but it seemed everyone had made it out of their fights alive on their own without help. The only person that wasn't picking up his phone was Perseus. After some searching Hector eventually checked his house and went to his bedroom to find him lying on his bed. Hector's eyes widened as he realized he couldn't feel any aura from Perseus. He shook him and shouted for some time and was starting to get desperate when Perseus finally woke and explained he was simply beyond drained from his own fight. After confirming he was alive and fine Hector left.

With some time taken to recuperate it seemed the group had a day to relax. Everyone was exhausted from their fights to the point where it felt like they had each fought for several weeks without rest. Almost everyone had different things they wanted to do that day to relax rather than be in a group since being social sounded draining. Perseus looked at his closet and noticed it felt empty because he had tossed a couple of his outfits away due to battle damage. So he decided to go to the mall in New Corinth with Victor who liked stopping at the thrift store. He was somewhat familiar with the owner who would keep scrap fabric normally sent to recycling for Victor to look through first.

The two arrived by car at the mall and Perseus couldn't help but look at the Olympic tower looking over the city. “I helped design that, in my previous life.” Victor looked at Perseus. “Really? So not only did you help with the original design you also helped with the security upgrades? That's definitely something.” Perseus nods. “Mr Olympic looks exactly like his grandfather or whoever it was that commissioned the special electronic set up for it. It's got its own Tesla coil and faraday cage set up. That tower actually powers the three cities around it.”

Victor tilted his head. “Really? I didn't know that. Does that mean all the money I pay for electricity goes to the man in the tower?” Perseus shrugs. “I guess. But he wasn't supposed to charge for it. The point was to be a revival of the Wardenclyffe Tower project started by Nikola Tesla.” Victor shrugged. “Not much you can do about it, since it was in your last life you can't exactly sue him for breach of contract considering both people that signed it are likely dead. I mean you wouldn't be here if your previous life still was.”

Perseus nodded. “I chalked up the appearance being identical to my mind interpreting the memory through my dream, but it still bugs me for some reason. No point in thinking about that now though. We've got some shopping to do.” The two practically make a straight shot to the thrift store as their first stop to collect the scrap fabric. The owner puts his arms out as soon as he sees the two. “Well if it isn't my favorite recycler and his weirdo friend.” Perseus crossed his arms. “Victor makes his clothes out of scrap fabric and I'm the weird one?”

The owner chuckled. “Well what he's doing is good for the environment. I wish more people would take up the initiative like him. You on the other hand are just a socially awkward noodle.” Perseus shrugged. “I mean you're not wrong.” Victor starts to sort through the fabric and picks everything that catches his eyes and puts them in a bag before handing the man a little bit of cash. “Thanks for the fabric.” The man smiles. “And thank you for your continued business.” The two then start making their way to a regular clothes store. “You know, normally he has to pay to have that recycled. So even getting it for free is doing him a solid.” Victor lets out a short laugh. “I know, but I’d feel bad if I didn't give him something. You know, I could probably make you an outfit.”

Perseus waves hom off. “Nah, I don't like standing out. I'm happy being in the background of most people's lives.” Victor lightly shakes his head. “If you insist. But I'm telling you, we could start an actual trend. You could be a fashion icon.” Perseus chuckles as he looks through the store for something that suits him. “No thanks. Fame isn't my cup of tea.” Perseus pulls a blue “Kerberos Sport” brand shirt with the logo on the front.” Victor rolls his eyes. “Don't you already own that exact same shirt.”

Perseus aims the shirt at Victor. “This one's made of lightweight moisture wicking fabric. My other one is a cotton blend. Considering how much higher the risk of water damage is for me now I might as well either get something made to get wet or something that's waterproof.” Victor groans. “Are you going to get waterproof jeans too?” Perseus shrugs. “Probably.” Victor sighs. “And a hoodie to match the same style you already have. Seriously, how many copies of that same outfit do you have?” Perseus puts the shirt in a cart. “It's called having a consistent look, mister “I always wear something different that I stitched together myself out of scraps”.”

Victor pointed to his bag. “Hey man, I got a fire retardant curtain that'll be great for pants that naturally fold to get the look of those fancy samurai pants.” Perseus rolls his eyes. “It'll go great with the Greek like patterns on your sash.” Victor retorted. “It will when I stick the same pattern on the pants.” Perseus goes to the check out to buy his items and the duo make their way out of the store.

June and Jaclyn had separately come to the mall to shop together, after grabbing a few things in one store the pair continued into the main area where they bumped into a man dressed like a cowboy. Chaps over pants, a vest over no shirt, and a cowboy hat. The man was in excellent shape with chiseled and clearly defined musculature. Not only did the man look slightly out of place, but he looked like one of those male pin up models from a magazine.

June lights up with a bit of surprise having clearly recognized the cowboy. “Hey babe, I didn't expect to run into you today. I thought you were working.” The man tipped his hat at the two. “Boss wanted me to make a coffee run. I'm still on the clock so I can't waste too much time.” Jaclyn looked the cowboy up and down then looked at June. “This is your boyfriend? This is your type? Jimbo the himbo?” The man then mumbled something about not knowing why everyone calls him Jimbo. June reaches out and grabs the man's hand giving it a light squeeze. “I know we may not look like any kinda couple you'd expect to see, but Jack here is everything I love in a man.”

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Jaclyn sighs. “Just… don't let Percy meet him. He's probably only mildly hurt after what you did but if he finds out about Jimbo it's going to make it really hard for him to work with you.” Jack mumbled something about June literally saying his name was Jack and not Jimbo. June waved Jacklyn off. “I'm not worried about it. I could go for a coffee myself so why don't we go together and steal a little moment while you're on the clock.” Jack agrees and the three make their way to the coffee shop and wait in line to order.

They wait for some time when a pair of guys ahead of them get their drinks and some breakfast sandwiches and start leaving only to stop when they see the trio. It's Perseus and Victor. Perseus greets the two ladies. “Oh hey guys, funny bumping into you here. Enjoying your rest day?” Jaclyn nearly jumped when Perseus greeted them. “H-hey Percy. We're doing well. Just grabbing a coffee after some light shopping.”

June gives Perseus a nod. “Yo.” Then Jack gives the two a wave. “Looks like I went from not meeting your friends to now meeting three of them. And June-bug was worried about me meeting her friends. Y'all seem like perfectly friendly people.” Perseus repeats “June-bug” like it's a question resulting in Jack giving June a big hug from the side. “I know we look like an odd couple but June-bug is my world.” Perseus tilts his head and looks at June before looking at Jack. “How long have you two been dating?”

Jack thinks for a moment. “About… a month and a half give it take.” Perseus’ eye twitches a bit and he starts speaking from between his teeth. “Is that so? Well, isn't that nice.” He then looks to the mall exit. “As nice as it would be to get properly acquainted, I have other things in my to-do list that need to be done, so the full pleasantries will have to wait for another time Jimbo.” The man scowls..”It's Jack, actually.” Perseus then mumbled “Yeah, I kinda don't care.” Under his breath before waving and saying bye.

Perseus starts speed walking away from the three with Victor close behind, not stopping until he's out of the building. Jacklyn granny slaps June. “Idiot.” June rubs her head “oww”. Perseus stopped outside the mall and took a moment to breathe before punching the wall leaving an actual hole in the concrete. “God damn it!” He shouted before pacing. “I'm such an idiot.” Victor puts his hands up and moves them as he tries to calm Perseus. “Hey man, calm down. You just put a hole in the wall.”

Perseus then lets out a sound of frustration. “A month and a half give it take. That means she started dating him before I even met her. Why the hell did she agree to go on those test dates after the trap if she already had Jimbo the himbo in the wings?! Am I some sort of joke for the universe to play like a fool?! Did you see him?! He looked like a pinup model you'd see in a playgirl magazine!!” Victor slowly and cautiously put a hand on Perseus’ shoulder. “Breathe man, breathe.” Persus throws up his arms before starting to walk again and sitting on a concrete parking lot stop-block.

Perseus lets out another sound of frustration. “I should have known better, I should have known a woman like her either already had a boyfriend or no interest in a guy like me. I mean look at me? I can't compete with that. I'm so scrawny and plain looking. It's like comparing a rice cracker to a deluxe triple chocolate cupcake.” Victor frowned. “Don't do that man, looks aren't everything and it's not like you're ugly.” Perseus lets out an exasperated sigh. “No, I'm just so average that people don't notice me, to the point I might as well be invisible as the brain registers me as redundant information.”

Victor puts his hand back on Perseus' shoulder. “You'll find the right person eventually man, I just know it. What June pulled was a garbage move, she should have been forward from the start rather than string you along because she… I don't know… felt bad for the original miscommunication. Dust yourself off and move on, she's not worth the heartache.” Perseus takes a big breath. “Yeah, sure, let's just go. I wanna take a nap.” The two hop in Perseus' vehicle and return to his house.

Once there, Perseus puts his new clothes away and goes to lay down on the couch. “I'll… see you later Vic. I just need a moment to myself.” Victor nods and takes his stuff and leaves Perseus alone. Perseus lets out a big sigh. “Am I an idiot?” Neptuna manifests at his side. “There was no way you could have known June was such a witch. I mean she's paired with Hecate so the odds were higher than normal. I don't think you're an idiot for putting yourself out there. You are a great guy and any woman would be lucky to have you. June is an idiot.”

Perseus shifts a bit on the couch. “Thanks Neptuna. However I'd expect your opinion to be a little biased since you're currently literally a part of me.” Neptuna puts her hands on her hips. “I'll remind you that I can leave anytime I want, it's not like I'm trapped with you. I choose to stay, I choose to try and make this work. This relationship may be different than what I'm used to having with a holder, but that was part of the point. Also, for the record mister sourpuss who thinks he's not good enough to date. If I was human, I'd totally date you.” There's a brief pause before Neptuna realized what she said and turned away from Perseus. “So quit your pouting. Like Victor said, there's someone for you out there somewhere. A real woman who isn't tied up in vain shallow crap.”

Persus lightly swipes his hand through Neptuna's. “Thanks for trying to cheer me up Neptuna. But if you did have a thing for me it would only be because you couldn't have me. I'm a myth nerd, remember? I know your tack record.” Neptuna nearly jumped out of her non-existent skin. “(Is that the reason I keep feeling this way? I thought I moved beyond that bad habit of mine millenia ago. Could it be, the only reason I keep having these strange thoughts towards Perseus is because I manifested as the opposite gender due to my mistake and he's someone I could never be with?)”

Perseus looked over at Neptuna who was looking away from him and had not been talking for a while. “You okay Neptuna? You haven't moved or said anything in a while.” Neptuna spun around to face Perseus. “Eh? Yeah, just lost in thought about my past since you brought it up. I never realized how much I had grown since becoming more intimately familiar with the human condition and what it's like to be a woman. When I look back at some of the things I did as a god… I wonder how I could have done such things. So many mistakes I now regret.”

Perseus sat up on the couch. “You were literally a different person back then if you think about it. As long as you recognize your mistakes and move past them I call that progress. Maybe when you finally ascend back to godhood you can put what you learned into practice. You can be a better person, a better god, then ever before. By acquiring the human capacity to learn and grow from your mistakes you can be a god who always improves. You might still be as flawed as us humans, but at least you'll be less likely to repeat the same mistakes.”

Neptuna nodded enthusiastically in agreement, but then the wording Perseus used hit her. “(He… doesn't expect it to be him that I ascend with, and it doesn't even seem to bother him.)” Perseus then got up off the couch and moved to his bed, crawling under the covers. Neptuna hovered at the side of the bed watching as Perseus got comfortable. “Can I… lay on the bed with you?” Perseus sighs. “Do whatever, it's just a different pose to put your ghost-like apparition in. It no longer bothers me to have you just hovering by me while I sleep and stuff.”

Neptuna moves herself to float above the blanket, passing her hand through the bed a few times trying to grab the blanket. Perseus quickly dozed off and Neptuna gently passed her hand through his sleeping face. “I probably shouldn't say this outloud, but if I'm being honest I don't want to ascend with you. Because if I did that… you would stop existing as a separate entity.” She then fades away as Perseus slips into Dreamland.