"Sorry. So much weird stuff happens back home that stuff like this is almost considered light conversation."

He mimicked a short conversation: "'So how've you been since the brainwashing?' "A lot better, I'm almost sure I actually have a soul now because my friend used her scary shadow magic so I could take a look inside myself.' 'Good. Good to hear.'"

He shook his head.

"But yeah, you're right. Doesn't matter what wild animal you mutated from or what test tube you were grown in - which is my case what with the clone thing. It's all in what you choose. And I've - I got in a bad situation and made some bad choices before I got here but this is my second chance. Nico made it so I don't have to go back to that."

He could be a hero again if he tried hard enough, if he found some way - any way - to stop blaming himself for what had been done to him during Project Gladiator.

"So, right on, green bean."

He held out his hand for a bro fist.