"You're…you're that man from the first day," Cobra said, almost in awe despite himself. Of course, how could he have forgotten? The person in front of him had the same charismatic cadence, the same rhythm of speech as he spoke.
The same could not be said for his soul.
The difference was so stark that as soon as Cobra recognized him he couldn't help but blanch. This was not how things sounded in this man's soul a mere five days ago, and unlike Minerva's stilled mind, this one was on fire. How could he possibly stand there with such a peaceful smile on his face? What was wrong with this man?
"Ah, that's your stunned face, a rarity if I recall." The man, Percy, continued as if everything was normal. "It seems you're either not the kind of person who startles easily, or one or is just very good at hiding it."
"What…what are you talking about?" Cobra said, trying to get a shaky grip on the conversation. "Why are you acting like you know me?"
Percy blinked. "Why am I acting…" his eyes took on a glassy stare as he seemed to look past Cobra, at a place beyond. "I'm not acting, I'm…" Suddenly, they snapped back into focus. "I do know you, though. I knew you back then, and so much better now. But how observant of you to pick up! Always the smart one pointing out the inconsistencies! That's why it's easy to be mad at you and hard to get back at you!"
"The hell do you keep going on like…" Cobra mumbled. Whenever he thought about peering into Percy's soul, trying to decipher some meaning in a sea of nonsense, the mental barrage quickly deterred him. Like a spinning wheel rotating too fast to make out the individual spikes the thoughts in Percy's head turned over at an incredible rate. "You know what? I don't care. If you're the guy from the first day, then all the better. I'll wring you out to dry and then maybe your head will be clear enough to start making sense."
Percy just smiled. "I'd really rather we didn't. I know I'm no match for you."
Cobra grinned. "Then that'll make this all the more fun."