Gen Z was soon informed about Percepta's interest in them and everyone was ecstatic, they could already see themselves on billboards and earning thousands of dollars monthly.
This was surreal and Edward was the most excited, he tried his best to keep it contained but he couldn't.
This was the con of hope, it might be the spark needed to lift the spirit at that moment but the reality often didn't match the euphoric feeling brought up by it.
Damon knew what this would mean, he was barely making ends meet as an adult and this opportunity wouldn't come by again but what if they become just another mediocre group that is used simply for media publicity without doing anything useful in society, like the majority of sub groups under big companies.
He created them to be different yet this opportunity was far too watering to pass up, he was surprised that they were on the shortlist even though they were picked as a later consideration.
Damon didn't know what criteria they intended to use to see if they were fit for this role or sponsorship but he owed it to everyone to give it a try.
A "what if" moment is one of the most terrible things a man could face and this was one of those moments.
Damon needed time to think about it and allowed everyone a free day, he didn't tell the other members that were out on missions because he didn't want to disturb their concentration on said missions.
But there was one lady that he always met when his emotions were in disarray.
Prostitution houses strictly for superhuman individuals were quite popular because some had certain fetishes that the human body couldn't possibly handle without breaking apart but this was one that "gentlemen" frequented so it wasn't depraved and sex wasn't what they were selling but companionship.
The place was called "The 'G' Spot" the G standing for Gentlemen, a clever play of words, and only people with no criminal record and recommendations could enter.
Damon was a superhero but not on paper, he was like everyone else as saving a few people doesn't make him one because everyone has saved a few people with their powers.
It takes a lot more to be a superhero, it was an actual job but this lack of publicity helped him move under the radar.
An electronic device was set up at the entrance, with a slot for money as the machine allowed the user to swipe on it to select a girl they would like to keep them company.
The ones that were taken were marked with a red X and the ones available were highlighted with a green tick, Damon had called ahead of time and the lady swore she would make herself available because Damon was one of her younger customers as older men frequented this place and rarely men as young as Damon.
Damon found her, her name was Maria and she was nothing short of beautiful but that would explain why she could get a job at such a high establishment.
Before he could proceed, he had to press his finger on the machine so they could take his fingerprint.
[Welcome back, Damon.] The device screen popped up as he pressed the screen.
[Would you like to proceed with the service of Maria for $500? Y/N?] The device prompted Damon, who was glad he was a frequent customer because he didn't know if he could afford her services otherwise as she was priced at $2,000 so this was a 75% discount.
Damon was given a receipt that confirmed the service he purchased and a room was assigned to him.
This place was private and Damon found comfort that not just anyone could get in, giving him a sense of privacy.
Damon walked unsupervised until he reached a room where he would wait for the lady that was meant to meet him but he didn't have to wait long.
She was there within a minute after Damon had entered and was like a well-oiled machine.
Maria was blonde, but she was also tall but lacked the bust on her chest like most other ladies out there; she had a decent-sized buttock with thick, soft thighs.
She wore a black nightgown that hung just above her knees.
She sat on the bed and Damon rested his head on those thighs, there was nothing sexual about their interaction but Damon found that he made the best of decisions when he bought her powers on him.
Maria was in her mid-thirties but didn't look a day over twenty, her spotless youthful skin sold this illusion flawlessly.
"What brings you here today, baby?" Maria said as she gently stroked his hair and Damon felt like a boy being consoled by his mother.
Maria could manipulate one's emotions and she could feel the anxiety that rocked Damon's soul but she wanted to hear him talk about what was on his mind before taking away his worry.
She acted like a therapist but she had a far more personal relationship with her customers because of her superpower and she had found a way to use it to make a living without fighting crime or being involved in it all together.
"I'm worried I'm about to become everything I hate… Maria. But I know my dream may never come true if I pass up on this offer," Damon trusted her because this was part of the reason that this establishment was so popular, it was because of their discretion.
"Talk to me, baby," Maria said as she continued stroking his hair, she didn't give her two cents because Damon didn't ask for it.
Most times, they just wanted to be listened to and validated before making their decision.
"I want to save people, I want to end the suffering of those that are overlooked by the system but now, I'm about to be under that system. But the system guarantees me status, money, and fame. I can finally become a full-fledged superhero but I will take orders from the system…" Damon was careful not to explicitly implicate Percepta because he wanted to keep their association under wraps.
"... Maria?" Damon called out, as he tilted his head to look right into her blue eyes.
"... What should I do?" Damon thought and Maria had just the answer the young man was looking for.
"You know what to do darling, you just fear you might not be able to do it. The system is a system, and people just like you are responsible for its creation and conduct. You can't change the system from the outside, you must be in the system to change, trusted by it, and only then can my sweet boy change it…" Maria simply vocalized his internal thoughts.
He just needed to hear it from her lips and she did just that, this did the trick as she could feel his anxiety-riddled emotions settle.
"Thank you, Maria…" Damon muttered as he went to sleep as she continued to stroke his hair with a smile on her face.
"You're welcome, darling," She responded.