i do think the nepeta seen hosting the intermission is already an actual post-davepeta nepeta. because that entire set is just nepeta's ultimate self, and the nepeta that appeared in canon is obviously the one on stage, who is wearing familiar shades. the sort of “ultimate nepeta”, even though the ultimate self isn't actually a state so much as an innate metaphysical body of characterization from which all different versions of a character emanate. this nepeta has the sort of demeanor that comes from having been dave for a while to me.