Chapter 4: In Understanding the Soul

Percy of House Jackson looked to his right with one eyebrow raised. If this was what love looked like, he might have to drop out of the Match.

His mother would have a field day.

"So," said Jason, taking a sip of his orange juice. He looked adoringly at the girl next to him. "I hear there are stables on the estate. Would a gorgeous girl allow me to take her on a ride?"

Percy picked up his mimosa, and mimicked Jason's movements to their cousin Nico, who sat across the table. Nico snorted not-so-subtly, and Jason shot a glare across the table.

"I don't know," responded the girl. She allowed her hair to fall over her shoulder in a swift movement. "Would this boy be able to handle me?"

"This man," Jason said, "would manage that easily."

"Are you sure?" Percy butted into the conversation, earning a glare from Jason. "I mean, a real man would be able to handle alcohol in the morning, Mr. Orange Juice."

"I'll drink to that," Nico said. The two clinked glasses while Jason rolled his eyes.

The girl laughed. "I like you." She stuck out a hand. "Piper of House McLean."

Percy kissed the top of her hand, just as his mother taught him. "Percy of House Jackson."

Nico followed suit. "Nico of House di Angelo. A pleasure to meet a lady as fine as you," he said with a wink.

Jason crossed his arms in mock threat. "Trying to steal my girl, dear cousin? I expected better from you."

"No," said Nico. Percy noticed that he had stiffened a bit, but didn't make much of it. Nico had never done well around many people, and the Match was filled to the brim with cutthroat socialites-in-training.

"I'm not technically your girl," Piper pointed out. "But whatever helps you sleep at night." She winked, then stood from her chair to make her way across the room. Jason's eyes trailed her as she walked.

"Dear cousin," Percy said. "Did you really have to make us sit through that for an hour?"

"Don't make me upchuck my pancakes," Nico said in agreement.

"But she–"

"Save it," Nico said, effectively cutting Jason off. "I feel... betrayed."

"Betrayed?"

"Yes," Percy said dramatically. "Betrayed!" He rose from his chair and reached his arms to the sky. "The world has crumbled–"

"Percy."

"–and skies are bleak–"

"Percy, she's standing over there and you're embarrassing me."

"–so we must push through this together, dear Nico." Percy reached a hand out to Nico, trying – and failing – to pull him up off of his seat. "And unfortunately, we must leave Cousin Jason to the merciless hands of love–" he grasped at his heart – "true love."

At this point, he had managed to attract an audience of many people in the room. Smirking, he bowed quickly, and fell back into his chair. From across the room, Piper applauded.

"Why," Nico said. "Please, just tell me why."

"It's all in the theatrics." Percy chucked his napkin over at Nico. "C'mon, let's go take a look around." He downed the final drops of his drink.

"Actually," said a deep voice from behind him. "Thank you, Mr. Jackson, for the perfect segue."

Cupid took the empty glass from Percy's hand, and an unused spoon from off the table. Hitting the glass with the spoon, the chiming noise captured the attention of Percy's fellow Match participants. Percy craned his neck to look behind him, keeping his eyes trained on Cupid and the woman next to him.

"I sincerely hope you enjoyed your breakfast," Cupid began.

Everyone remained silent.

"No one?" he asked, and people muttered various expressions of confirmation. "Good, good. The chefs here do indeed work very hard to ensure that everyone has the best experience possible. If there are any issues, please let me know and I will work to see that they are resolved.

"As you may or may not know, the woman to my side is my wife, Psyche. If she'd like, she can tell you a bit about herself…?" Cupid left the sentence somewhat open-ended, allowing his wife to nod and step before him, head raised with a smile.

Dressed in white silk with sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Psyche looked like a goddess. Her smile was radiant, much like that of Percy's own mother. Also, the way she looked at Cupid… Percy didn't think it was possible to love the flashy host of the Match, and somehow, she managed it.

Psyche deserved a medal.

"My own story," she said in a voice that was as powerful and kind as her appearance, "is a tragic one.

"I fought hard. It was not easy for me to find love like this, or to establish this kind of life for myself." Her eyes shone as she said, "You are all so, so lucky. The Match, as questionable as it may seem… it works. It truly does. I've never seen so much joy surround a place.

"My husband and I will be handing out notes. They contain the time and location of your first outing, which will happen at some point today. Make use of the time as you will, though food and activities will be provided."

Cupid nodded as he stepped forward, standing next to his wife. Then, he gave his characteristic smirk, and the stack of envelopes in his hand fanned out as if they were playing cards. "Gentlemen, I have your envelopes right here. Psyche has the ladies'. Please, just come forth… No need to shove; a single-file line works best."

As Percy filed into the line between Jason and Nico, a sense of apprehension settled into his stomach, increasing as he was handed the letter. His hand brushed Cupid's, and his anxiety spiked in that one fraction of a second.

Even after he opened the envelope, his nerves didn't settle.

Perseus of House Jackson

February 1, 18:30

Beach

There was no name.

Psyche's words echoed in his head as he stared down at the words, written in cursive on the cream-white paper. So, so lucky…

Sorry for the late update, everyone! I scrapped this chapter and rewrote it, like, three times, so that took a while. Also, these past two weeks have been insanely busy, but hopefully I'll be able to get in some more updates as my schedule gets more relaxed. Please review to let me know what you think!

Paris Jackson – I totally agree with you about Luke, so don't worry... I have plans for him...

I Am Definitely Jeff Bridges – Thank you so much! That means a lot to me. :)

Guest – Thanks! And here I am (finally), so...

Harry Potter rul – Thank you, and here's the update!