CATHARSIS, jason grace¹ [REWRITING]

𝟬𝟬𝟳. a horrible fate like the others

"WE HAVE LEMONADE" was the only reason Aera agreed to lug that giant oaf Jason into the Big House. That and also because she remembered she had hidden a secret stash of Emergency Makeover #5 by the fireplace when she was 9, which contained everything in it that she needed to finally look like her glorious, gorgeous self again.

While Jason did all the boring bloo blaa trying to explain the accosting events that led them to this monster-dust circus, Aera glammed herself up in the bathroom of the infirmary. She took a steaming hot shower, applied proper skincare for the first time in Helen knows when, and got dressed in an outfit that was actually worthy of being worn on her divinely ravishing body.

As she puckered her lips in the mirror and dabbed on a lip tint, Aera tried to piece together what she knew about Jason. That unsalted pretzel was definitely hiding something and doing it with absolutely zero class too. Jason's fear of her and this place was more obvious than eyeshadow fallout. Having been Luke's girlfriend for 2 years, there was no amount of concealer in the world that could cover up a lie from Aera anymore. Did he really think he could just get away with lying to her face like that?

"We're not friends," Jason told her with the most poker of faces. "I don't owe you any answers. You said it yourself. I'd be a fool if I trusted you."

Not friends?

Not friends?

Aera knocked all her makeup brushes aside.

Who did this plastic-bag-wearing Johnny Bravo fellow think he was? Aera was besides herself in indignance as she perched on the counter and finished her makeup. Jason was the weird one, all one-shoe-y and immune-y to her persuasion. It wasn't like Aera wanted to be his friend. Did he think just anyone could be her friend? Aera was the one who should have told him they weren't friends.

And, how in the Givenchy headband did Jason not crack? Aera's emotion-bending powers were most effective when focused at her target's organs and in her direct line of sight. She had kept eye contact and her hand over his heart for at least three minutes and Jason dodged her charm? Who did he think he was? She didn't give him permission to do that.

How was that even possible? Aera couldn't place an acrylic-nailed finger on anyone who had resisted her concentrated persuasion since Kronos gave her that creepy lesson on how to penetrate the minds of her enemies, and she had her fair share of making deals with immortal beings. Ever since she joined the Titan's Army, it became a survival instinct to flirt and talk her way out of trouble. How could her persuasion miss?

Could it be that Aera Kim...

...was having an off day?

Impossible!

Guess Aera Kim's no longer the Helen of Troy of our generation, that walking doggie bag's voice echoed inwardly. Going home to a mirror must have been enough punishment for her.

Aera hopped down from the counter and accessed her appearance in the bathroom mirror.

Emergency Makeover #5 had provided Aera with a short, off-the-shoulder cherry red chiffon dress that highlighted her collar bones with its low cut sweetheart neckline. Aera's wavy ink-black hair streamed down her back, curling at her shoulder blades. The top pieces were meticulously pleated into braids that weaved from the crown down the sides of her head, with the tendrils at her sideburns coiled in a swirl.

An ivory pair of Dolce & Gabbana heeled satin sandals wrapped around her ankles. Its straps were embroidered with red roses and lightly flowered green vines, equipping Aera with not only the power to stomp on her enemies but also the ideal height to flaunt her flair.