So…the mansion had been destroyed. It was good though that it was being rebuilt but, at the same time, it was terrifying for poor Celeste. The young Atlantean had left a home of torture and abuse for one of peace and hope…only to watch it get destroyed. Needless to say, Celeste was fairly shaken by the ordeal once it was all settled. Of course she wasn’t tossed out into the streets, she and many of the disenfranchised staff and students found comfortable lodgings while the school was rebuilt. But for Celeste it put a serious thought in her mind.

What was she going to do?

She came to New York with a handful of other Atlanteans and they all seemed to be doing remarkably well. Kalos found new people to call “Mom” and “Dad”, she found a family. Praxi, a former gorgon found purpose as an X-Man and even roommates with an attractive winged boy. And Amethyst…well…she was born a demi-god so her life seemed rarely hard. But even she and Praxi had found time with one another and a place share space outside of the mansion.

And here was Celeste…with nothing. It was…what did DocProf call this feeling again? Depressing. That’s it. Her existence was depressing.

But Celeste knew that she couldn’t just sit there and continue to let things happen to her. She had to forge out into the world. She had to try and make some kind of positive difference. So when the mansion had been destroyed, she decided that she would use that opportunity to try and do something, anything, to make herself self-reliant. She could go back to the mansion (once it was fully rebuilt), she knew that, but she didn’t want to trade one prison for another. She had her life, didn’t she? It was time she lived it.

Staring at her reflection, Celeste tilted her head as she looked over herself. The low-cut khaki pants mixed with the sleeveless black top looked pretty good on her. She still couldn’t believe how long she forced herself to wear her old chiton when she came to New York. But years have passed since then and, on top of learning how to talk, she now found herself fairly well-versed in fashion. Though, that wasn’t what this outfit was. She didn’t fully pick this out, this was the standard uniform for anyone who worked for the trending clothing chain - The Breach.

Yes. Celeste had a job.

It took some convincing but thanks to the efforts of the Xavier’s and Haven, she managed to actually secure a job in a clothing store at the local mall. Not the most glamorous job but it earned her money, it gave her something to do, and that honestly felt good. Wasn’t perfect though. She had only been working for a month and already she had engaged in two, what her coworkers called, “Karens” who demanded to know why a “freak” was handling their two sizes too small slacks. It was trying but Celeste was not going to be intimidated. She had to start building her life. It was hers now so she had to start somewhere.

“'Celeste'?" A voice droned. "Order for ‘Celeste’?”

She blinked and turned to the counter. ”I am her.” Celeste said as she walked up to the young man. Her speaking was much better, though still needed some improvement. As opposed to saying nothing, her words came out as, what coworkers have called, an ‘exotic accent’.

With a sweet smile, she took the brown tray with the oversized cinnamon roll sitting on it. The man smiled at her, a tinge of lecherousness that was hard to miss, but she didn’t pay it further attention. Instead she took her tray, turned, and headed for a table.

Celeste must have made quite the sight. Skin an array of blacks, blues, and purples, a deep void of nothingness save for the distance twinkle of stars and galaxies. She was lauded for her appearance when she was in Atlantis and, well, it seemed as if that didn’t really change up here. Either people thought she was a freak or their lustful thoughts played across their faces when she spoke to them (sometimes both at the same time). But, she was finally starting to grow callous to being viewed as such an object. If the mansion taught her anything it was that she was a person with rights the same as anyone else.

Finding an empty table among the din, Celeste took a seat and set down her tray and cinnamon roll in front of her. She was on, what her job called, a break, forced solitude. She liked being busy with work and, to be honest, didn’t often look forward to her breaks. Her coworkers had theirs at different times and, to be frank, the rest of the mall was too busy staring at her or ignoring her. But at least at the food court she found some reprieve. The cinnamon rolls were very tasty and it was worth taking her entire break to enjoy one before heading back to the sales floor.

Today was a ‘self-care’ day! Hercules was not sure what the term meant but knew he had to leave Madison to her own devices. William had class and Serena was in meetings all day meaning he had little to help his masters with.

Hercules looked up the term ‘self-care’ it was “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one's own health” and he was a pinnacle of preserving one's health. The prince of power caught his reflection and resolidified that thought as he held the doors open to the mall to allow some older patrons to enter and exit.

He didn’t know what he was doing there but decided shopping would also be considered self-care. Along with a lunch. A big one.

“....Hercules?” someone from behind the counter asked as he roared, ”I am here!” he walked up exchanged a card for the tray and added it to the other three he was balancing on his hand and arm. All of them were full of different foods from around the food court. This place was truly magical. It reminded him of all the street markets from centuries before.

Looking for a table he slowed to see something beautiful it was like the skies themself opened and he was hit with the wonders of the universe. Stars, and the rest of the cosmos were before him and he slowed. He stared for a moment then cleared his throat, ”May I join you?”

Celeste was usually fine sitting alone. Back in Atlantis, the majority of the time she had to be alone. Even in the presence of other officials from the city, when she was loaned out to stand around as something pretty to look at, as if she were a piece of decor rather than a living person, the demigod found herself alone. She was there to be looked at, not spoken to after all. To be lusted after and romanticized, but never to be seen as another living entity. She was, as she learned from the surface, to be only ‘eye candy’. And that was a trauma she was trying to shake off everyday.

So, sitting by herself was quite normal for Celeste. More often than not, sitting in the food court of this mall, having her meal on her own was preferable. But there were times where she wished it were otherwise. Where she wanted her coworkers to sit with her and “gab” as they say. Heck, she would be fine with sitting in silence with them if she could just hear their conversation, maybe toss in a word or two in order to practice her English.

But, alas, it seemed that this would be another fated day where she was to be stared at rather than interact wi–

A shadow loomed over her. Staring at the white frosting of her cinnamon roll, she suddenly found herself cast into darkness. Huh… she wondered. ...what happened to the sun? She then looked up and silently squeaked.

The man before her was massive in size. She had seen many such types of people. Demigods in Atlantis built like they came directly from the pantheon, to heroes here in New York who obviously took care of their bodies. But what was most surprising was this gentleman as he seemed to outdo all of them. She shook her head for a moment, just to make sure she wasn’t dreaming, and zeroed in as he spoke.

Join her? She looked at the empty seats around – then at the large quantities of food he carried. She gulped. No was an option, right, then why did she nod? Was she that scared or intrigued? After clearing her throat, Celeste replied.

”Uh…y-yes…” she said, gesturing to any of the seats nearby.

”Ah! Wonderful!” The smile continued as he set his bounty on the table near her but still giving her some space. They were strangers after all and Hercules had been told he could be intimidating. A fair assessment. He had slain titans before.

”I figured it be easier to gaze upon the beauty of the cosmos up close instead from across the food court! he said truthfully, it was a sight to behold. It reminded him of stargazing when he was a child. A memory he thought he had lost centuries ago.

”I am Hercules!” he didn’t offer a hand in greeting but rather a friendly wave before sitting down carefully so he didn’t bend the small frame of the chair. The groan of the chair told him sitting slowly was a good call. The stitching on his shirt stretched as it struggled to hold together when he sat back and clapped his hands over his food. A tattoo of one of his trials slowly cascaded over one of his forearms.

”How are you on this glorious day?” Hercules questioned looking away for a moment to his food and deciding where to start.

Pizza. It was always Pizza.

She balked at the groaning protest of the chair as “Hercules”, as he called himself, took his seat. Admittedly, Celeste was stunned by the revelation. Being from Atlantis, of course she was well-versed in the legends of the demigod. Heroic feats such as his were talked about often in the palaces, discussed amongst educators and politicians, when she was tasked to be nothing more than standing furniture. They were thrilling stories, to be sure, filled with adventure and tragedy. But could this walking mountain of muscle truly be him?

”Uhh..t-thank you…” she stammered.

At his compliment a pair of rose-red nebula began to drift lazily across her cheeks. It was sweet, of course, but something often said to her. That’s why people liked talking to her, no? Because she was “beautiful”? And yet, she still blushed. She guessed that no matter the amount of time, compliments still managed to seep in.

She cleared her throat as she moved over her tray to leave space for Hercules to set his down. So many kinds of food were balanced there, from many of the restaurants scattered throughout the food court. It seemed enough to feed an army and yet it appeared as if he would consume it all himself.

Her attention returning to her cinnamon roll, Celeste used her smaller than average plastic fork and knife to cut off another piece to eat. Her mouth appeared in the void of space (where any mouth would normally appear), and the hunk of cinnamon roll vanished behind her teeth. Quietly she chewed until Hercules once again addressed her.

”Oh…um…f-fine…” she said. ”On break. Enjoying a snack.” She stayed silent for another long moment before looking directly at him. ”A-Are you really THE Hercules?” she asked innocently. ”Twelve Labors of Eurystheus and all that?”

The prince of power scarfed the pizza quickly. Years of battle and training had taught him to eat quickly for trouble could happen at any moment. Which was a shame because it was difficult to savor the flavors. Luckily there was a second one.

With his mouth full he listened to her noting an accent. It sounded familiar but he couldn’t place it. ”Fortutious I should happen to be here on a break then!” he said taking another bite and admiring the constellations until she registered the name.

Clearing his throat and swallowing the rest of his mouthful of pizza he stood. His tattoo’s under his shirt started to glow as they continued to follow no rhyme or reason as they traced across his skin. One of the buttons on his shirt nearest his neck shot off across the food court.

”HA HA! WHO ELSE WOULD I BE?!” roared the prince of power glad someone made the connection. ”Those are but only a few of my many deeds!” he pointed to one of the glowing tattoos on his bicep and flexed towering over the table he sat at moments ago.

”What a wonderful day! I normally get more skepticism when I reveal who I am!” he couldn’t wait to tell Elizabeth and the other masters.

Celeste smiled as she watched the pure joy alit Hercules’ face at the recognition. Surely anyone could just walk up and claim they were such a legendary figure. That nice policeman from the mansion, Mr. Cervantes uses the code name Neptune, another name for the Lord Poseidon. It was simple and easy enough to claim such titles in this modern age. So it would be of little issue to just walk up to a stranger and claim you were Hercules. But something about him, about his confidence when he said his name, that made it difficult for Celeste to doubt him. Was he the real Hercules?

At his proclamation she tilted her head in curiosity. It seemed that others had accused him the same as she was thinking. Again, these days people can just pick a name. Doesn’t mean they are the real person it is based on – just the name. But this Hercules claimed to be the real thing, the real legend, and he was happy to be recognized.

Celeste turned back to her cinnamon roll. She didn’t want to get tricked. It was easy enough to trick her when she first came to New York, an event that often occurred. But now that she was older, she was more suspicious, more careful. She took another thoughtful bite of her pastry before finally addressing Hercules again.

”Do you know of Atlantis?” she asked carefully.

Her enthusiasm was not what the ancient Greek was hoping for. It was.... lack luster. In fact she even went back to eating her snack. The glowing faded, though his tattoo’s kept moving and he sat back down after a moment and went back to his second slice almost as if he was sulking.

”Of course I know of Atlantis!” he’d be a bad Greek and an even worse Roman. Atlantis was an ancient civilization. Not as ancient as he was but it was still old. He recalled even going there once or twice after he was summoned. Or did he live there? It was a short time and all the ancient cities started to blend together after a while.

”I can’t recall if I’ve spent much time there though. It was pretty young when I went there. It has been a few centuries.” the Demi-God thought out loud. He took a break from the second slice and scratched his chin mulling it over for a moment or three before finishing the second slice and pulling over the plate with a mound of meat, rice and vegetables from the Chinese restaurant that was next to the Pizza one.

”Why do you ask?” he asked curiously.

Okay so there was the smallest inkling of suspicion in Celeste. Given how easily she had been fooled in the past, it was probably a good thing there was still some healthy skepticism in her life. This man was claiming to be the towering demi-god, Hercules. It was only fair that she take that with the smallest grain of salt.

Still…he was big and powerful. And confident. Of the tales she had heard, that was Hercules down to the letter.

At his confirmation, she lifted her gaze back towards him and watched carefully. Again, so much confidence in his words. He claimed he knew of Atlantis, of her home, and even admitted to there being a length of time since he had been there. Intriguing. There were stories told in certain affluent families in Atlantis to personally knowing the demi-god. Most of the time such families merely bragged for the sake of bragging, but a visit from Hercules was a worthy, and more believable, tale.

He wanted to know why. To this Celeste gave a very big breath and gently moved her cinnamon roll aside. There she looked him squarely in the face before speaking, her thick accent pushing through the words she wanted to say and coming out as the words she was ‘capable’ of saying.

“I am Caelistis of capital district Triton of Atlantis,” She says somewhat formally, a formal greeting by Atlantean standards anyways. A quick bow her head follows. She then blushes a little. ”Though…that is no longer home. Citizen here now. X-Men said so.”

Taking the first bite of the Chinese food and savoring the flavors Hercules closed his eyes and nodded his head, ”Delicious.” all the food was. Hercules was always amazed with what mortals could do with food over the centuries. It was inspiring.

When she moved her cinnamon bun to the side Hercules put his fork down as he felt her gaze upon him. His eyes were hard to meet hers mainly due to the swirling light show that was the woman’s body. It was... distracting to say the least but Hercules didn’t want to be rude so he matched her gaze.

>>> “I am Caelistis of capital district Triton of Atlantis,”

So that was why she wanted to know if he had been to Atlantis before. She was from there. Excellent! He hadn’t met anyone from Atlantis yet and he was curious what became of it and it’s people after it sank. He had heard word that it had resurfaced recently but with William being in his charge it was hard to travel. The prince of power doubted the masters would have appreciated the distance. They were all vulnerable without him.

>>>”Though…that is no longer home. Citizen here now. X-Men said so.”

She was a refugee. Her accent reminded him of ancient times. It was familiar and it pained him a little as it reminded him how old he was. Friends, masters, and lovers all faded with the passage of time. The behemoth smiled and returned the bow. If it was a formal getting she should have it.

”It truly is an honor to meet you Caelistis of Captial district Triton of Atlantis.” he started before reverting back to his old language one that would have been prevalent in Atlantis unless they changed their language completely after the sinking of the place, ”I am Hercules, son of Zues. Slayer of Titans, slayer of monsters, former hero of Olympus. Current hero of humanity. Hero of the twelve labors and many more.” his bow was a little lower. Seeing as she was being so polite and his humble beginnings he figured it was polite.

Returning back to English, ”The X-men?” Hercules smile widened, ”I have fought battles alongside them recently! I consider many of them friends! Sam of the Rime? Gawain of reflections? Elizabeth speaker for the Animals?” he scooped a fork full of chicken into his mouth and chewed it.

”Are you no longer welcome back on Atlantis?” he asked curiously hoping it wasn’t a sore subject. ”Tell me what has become of Atlantis? It has been so long since I had been there.”

It had been at least a couple years since Celeste had used her true name. Upon arriving in New York, and promised a life different than what was in store for her in Atlantis, she had been advised to take on a new name. A lot of people had trouble with remembering and pronouncing Caelistis, and besides that, she didn’t really want to continue using it. So she chose something simpler, yet close to her original name. Friends often accused her if she willingly meant to make her name a pun; she did not as ‘puns’ were still a concept she struggled with understanding.

Still, it felt nice talking to someone who knows of her culture. Praxi was usually available to talk to, and the Princess…well…they had yet to really meet. Besides them, there was really few others to speak to so candidly. Hercules, especially when he dipped into the old language, made her feel strangely comfortable.

Though it was still hard to fully accept that he was the legendary Hercules, she came from an underwater city that was thousands of years old – there were stranger things. For now she would take his word at face value and would keep her eyes open just in case.

She then smiled wide at the mention of the X-Men and nodded her head. ”Yes. They are quite nice. Have you met Mr. Cervantes? He calls himself Neptune. Sometimes he is X-Man. Other times police man.”

Obviously she is thrilled that Hercules knows of the X-Men. If he knows of them, and they know of them, then he must be a good person. But before she can inquire further he begins to ask after Atlantis and Celeste finds her expression saddeningly a little. She takes a deep breath. Was he loyal to Atlantis?

”Atlantis…has changed…” she says softly. ”I was born there…raised as…” she stops to consider the right word. Decoration? A prize? A…”...Trophy?” She tests out the word to see if Hercules knows of what she is talking about. She then smiles. ”But…old ruler is gone. Achlus, she now leads. She is good and allowed us all to leave. So…Celeste is now here.”

She nods, taking a moment to consider all this. My how things had changed.

The prince of power roared with laughter at the mention of his uncle... well not his uncle the man had taken up the ‘codename’ for it. Hercules still didn’t understand the concept of code names but understood it was supposed to help the X-men maintain their identities even if they didn’t cover their faces.

”Aye, I have met the man who goes by the name. The name suits him. He’s very powerful from what I could tell. He and Sam of the Rime, put on quite a show in our last battle.” that didn’t save the school but it was still very impressive. While he didn’t speak directly to Neptune, Hercules liked to think they would have gotten along because they all had mutual friends. Maybe Hercules should reach out to him? It wouldn’t be anything like when he and his uncle teamed up.

The titan slayer took a bite of his fried chicken covered in sweet and sour sauce before responding further. ”I did not know he was also a police officer. It seems many of the X-men live double lives being so busy.” it just showed how much they made the world a better place. Something that warmed the ancient Greeks heart. Should he be banished from this era there was comfort in knowing that there were many who could take up his mantle as protector of humanity.

Tanned skin creased as Hercules frowned at her... profession? Was it one? He wasn’t sure. But knew all too well of someone wanting someone else for a trophy. He himself had been considered one by kings and queens a few times. Back before he was a god. Even after he ascended, once the curse was upon masters fought for his power and liked to show it off. Some being crueler than others in the process.

”That.... sounds... difficult.” the son of Zues suddenly felt bad for wanting to watch her beauty. ”I am truly sorry.” she was here now though meaning she had a new life. One where she wasn’t a possession. One where she was a person. ”Well I am glad that Celeste is here now.”

Another bite and the child of Olympus asked, ”I trust your knew job is better than being a trophy?” if not the Hercules was determined to help any way he could. Maybe his master Serena needed a new assistant?

Celeste often wondered how she was able to trust the X-Men so readily. They were essentially just demigods, the same kind she spent most of her life being leered and gawked at. The same kind of people who flaunted about their importance and used their abilities to manipulate and subjugate anyone that was different. By all rights she should have absolutely hated the X-Men for what they were.

But they were different. They were heroes, like the kind she learned about from scholars and learned men and women of Atlantis. They actively were trying to do good in a world that didn’t appreciate them. And that was something she couldn’t be more grateful for. Yes, they carried the names of demigods, they had done something that no demigod was able, or willing, to do before –-they saved her.

She smiled then, infected by Hercules’ enthusiasm. ”Yes. They are very busy. Find much balance in this world.” There was a little bit of admiration in her agreeing tone, something that hinted almost as jealousy. She was still trying to find her balance. Everyday Celeste got a little closer to it, but it still seemed so far away.

In the end, however, her thoughts clouded from admiration to sadness and a little bit of anger. She explained, simply, what her experience was in Atlantis. That she was more of a ‘possession’ as opposed to an actual person. Celeste was grateful that most people who knew her story on the surface had been appalled by it. It gave her some hope for them. But it still had a way of affecting her and that was…not fair.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she glanced at Hercules and saw the look on his face – almost guilty. Her head tilted in interest, wanting to ask him what was wrong, when he spoke again. Immediately she felt the cosmos blush on her cheeks. She then offered him a sad, but grateful smile.

”I…appreciating…your words…” Celeste replied. ”Am better now,” She admitted before she took another forkful of her cinnamon roll. She smiled then, laughing lightly. ”Yes. Better job. Work at…” Celeste took a couple moments to find the right word. ”...’clothing’ store. Still looked at but other workers nicer. Better than trophy.” The astral mutant nods her head firmly, giving Hercules a warm smile. ”Why…you here? Work? Shop?”

”Wonderful. I’m truly happy to hear that.” Hercules said swallowing another mouthful finishing yet another plate. His caloric intake was vast, it needed to be to give him the strength to draw less power from his masters. The less he could pull from them the better.

”I’m sure it is because they can see only what others dream about. The expanse of the universe before their eyes. It truly is a sight to be hold.” he said nodding his head. The more she talked about being a trophy the more guilty Hercules felt for gazing upon her in wonder.

”To find balance.” the prince of power said with a chuckle. Even god’s searched for it. Even if he’d be more useful helping one of his masters or stopping a crime. Today was a ‘self-care’ day. Whatever that meant. ”All of the masters are busy today. They have no need for me and wished I go off and ‘find something to do’.”

The plate of chicken tenders moved in front of him as he started to dip the biggest one in some BBQ sauce. The sauce was a marvel to him. ”Maybe I shall shop today! Tell me Celeste does your shop have clothing for someone of my.... bulk?” he asked flexing one of his arms. The shirt around his bicep let out a loud grown as it started to tear.

Yeah. Things were better for Celeste. Miles better compared to where she was in Atlantis. But now that she was here and decided that she would give herself a shot at living, she had to figure some things out. The job was helpful as it gave her something to do and, not only that, allowed her to earn and save money, something which apparently every independent person needed on the surface world. That is unless she could find a ‘Sugar Daddy’ or ‘Sugar Mommy’ like Brenda back at the store spoke of. She wasn’t sure what either of those terms meant but it sounded like comfortable living.

But she digresses. She smiles at Hercules as she takes a bite of her cinnamon roll. A bit of frost sticks on her lips, the small spot blotting out the expansive galaxy that swirled within her body. Taking up a napkin, she blots the residue away, returning the seamless void comprising her body.

However, the pink and red swirls of galaxies color her form once more at the mention of her beauty. How many times had she heard some poetics from would-be writers and academics back in Atlantis? How many propositions were offered for a chance to just stare at her in their study? It was…ridiculous, to be truthful and made it difficult for her to take compliments now.

Reaching a hand up to stroke her fingers through her hair, she opens her mouth to say something but stops when she sees Hercules quickly change the subject. It was not hard for her to tell that he regretted his words. And it was…refreshing.

Celeste stares at Hercules for several moments before she offers him a light smile, reaches forward, and pats his arm, as if to tell him it was okay and she knows he means no harm. Of course she doesn’t truly know this, but she was willing to take the risk right now. He was sweet.

At his reason for being here, she had to laugh. She was curious what he meant by “Masters” but did not question it too deeply. Instead she files that away and instead focuses on his latest question.

”It might be the place for you!” she nods firmly. ”There are many images of adonises such as yourself there. Surely The Breach must be clothing temple for demigods such as yourself.”