[ Pepper drags herself out of the fountain-- denim skirt, white cotton blouse, and strawberry blonde hair all dripping wet. She plants her bare feet on the ground and surveys her surroundings, slowly realizing where she is. She digs the familiar phone out of her pocket-- thankful it still works after her wet landing-- and holds it at arm's length, the other arm wrapped protectively around her chest. ]

Well, I'm back! Not sure how or why now, after so long, but if anyone I know is still here, Tony, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate a dry shirt. And a towel maybe? A full change of clothes would be nice, but the shirt is what mostly concerns me.

[ She gives a small smile and ends the feed. ]

All these lemons— Suu! Are you seriously trying to use them all up by making any lemon related thing imaginable? That's crazy and...

[Amu is in the kitchen of her apartment at the moment which is kind of a mess, her guardian character Suu is just hovering around her rushing back and forth while baking things as there are several lemon baked goods in view which are lined up on the counter and Suu seems to be too preoccupied to respond to her.

Amu just lets out a sigh, it's only a few moments later she realizes the video was on from her communicator]

I guess it's not too bad for a curse but as you can see...Suu is obviously getting more than carried away here. So if anyone wants anything? Let me know because this is too much for one person.

[Neil looks delighted when he settles in front of the screen. In front of him on the table, immediately in front of the device, is a row of lemons. They looks like... lemons, only with faces carved into the peel. They're not bad, considering the sculpter, but... why not lemonade?]

So! I decided that the lemonade market was probably sour with stands trying to hawk homemade crap and trying a different approach was needed.

[He taps each little lemon-face-thing on the head - obviously very proud of his labours - as he says:]

Each of these guys is an original, Neil McCormick special. Anyone interested in owning one?

There are lemons everywhere! It's so funny!

I planted tons of lemon seeds all over the forest and some in my greenhouse, but I don't know if they'll grow or anything.

And it's a good thing I like lemonade, because there's people with it everywhere too!

Still as far as curses go, it's not so bad!

You know, I think I much rather prefer the days where my apartment gets invaded by a multitude of tiny animals.

[the video feed then gets angled down to get a shot of a couple of plates with neatly organized lemon squares. around them? a mess of lemons, powdered sugar, and other baking necessities-- enough of a giveaway that the kitchen has been in use for a while.]

... At least those situations have never ended up with this much of a mess before, surprisingly enough. Or required as much research.

[the feed focuses back on him, just quick enough to catch a shrug.] I probably shouldn't try to eat them all, if anyone would like some.



((ooc: Kogarasumaru base and Kaito&Gazelle apartment-- you each get a full tray left at your door with this note attached to them.))

[video]

[Peter is barechested, with just a touch of makeup and the tightest leather pants he owns. He's also cleaned up, so you can tell he's dressed for the occasion.]

When life gives you lemons... grab the vodka.

Or better yet, come on down to the Master of Lemonade, where all the work's been done for you! Grab a glass, kick back, and relax.

[Serrure's Starkphone is balanced on the ledge of a building, filming him in profile as he leans over that ledge, elbows on the concrete top. Lemons are piled near waist high next to him. One is in his hand.] When life gives you lemons-

[He turns to the camera and grins, then chucks the lemon in his hand down at some unsuspecting person below.]-toss them off of a very tall building at people.

[Roxas flicks on his communicator and seems about to say something while opening his closet door to hang up a jacket he's carrying, but suddenly the screen goes dark as he's buried in lemons.

A lot like what happened a few months ago, actually.

After a moment, he groans, and works his way out of the pile.]

And again...at least they're not furry this time.

So, uh...anyone got some recipes for lemons? —Axel, no!

[A small Irish setter puppy runs by, carrying a lemon nearly as big as her head between her jaws, and it's off to the races as Roxas tries to separate his new pet from her new 'ball.']

[Rex is standing in his neat and sterile apartment, before a work table with a pitcher of totally normal and innocent looking lemonade on it.]

Ah, lemonade. Its ability to refresh, to quench one's thirst, is undeniable-- in those of us who are human, at any rate. There's something about it that can even elevate the mood, foster feelings of relaxation. Why, it's something of a... summertime panacea. [A muttered aside:] Or placebo, if we really want to be honest.

[Hey, shut up and sell your lemonade, Rex.]

Now, it tastes delicious, I'm sure. But what of those of us with certain... difficulties that make drinking quite an ordeal? What about those of who can't handle the tartness, or who are dieting, or who simply want the satisfaction of lemonade without drinking it?

I have a solution.

[Excitably, he picks up some blueprints off the table. They feature some designs and schematics for these precious babies.]

Nanomites. Capable of delivering lemonade directly to your system! They could even be programmed to stimulate the particular cranial nerves that carry taste information, as well as the cerebral cortex, to simulate the flavor of the lemonade. And, for those of you worried about your figures, this method is entirely calorie-free.

All it takes is one injection. And, ah... seed money for equipment, research and development. [Murmuring:] Something in the range of several billion...

[Now, while the purpose of these nanomites is absurd, those who are scientifically-inclined may note that the blueprints feature some, well, sound science and engineering. Rex knows his stuff, even when his stuff is selling lemonade via robot injection.]

I look forward to hearing from potential investors.

( A bright, blinding light fills the sky. After a moment, the outline of three big wings can be seen against the horizon before the owner of said wings...falls. She hits the ground, leaving an obvious dent in the pavement. )

Returned...? ( Her voice is remarkably unfazed. ) Setsuna...is dead? ( That must be the case. Otherwise, why would she be...here? ) The cycle has been broken. I am myself again.

He must have succeeded. ( She sits up and looks at the sky, her expression conflicted. ) I can't recall what became of him or what became of Heaven. Even Rosiel's fate is unknown to me.

( Brushing off the rubble, she stands up and extends her wings to their full extent. )

Earth, I am the Organic Angel Alexiel and I require information. Tell me everything you know about Heaven's current predicament. Tell me of the war and what you have seen.

( Her gaze falls on the recording device and she picks it up, blowing the dust off of the screen. )

Do not fear me. I have no desire to harm you. But I must know. ( She closes her eyes tightly, fighting back a grimace. ) Please.

[ there are several clicks, noises, and false starts to a video feed before moving into a voice only feed back to video before it silences completely for a few minutes. but during those brief seconds flashes of bright blue eyes focused on something and blonde hair can seen if you pay close attention.

finally after a few minutes of nothing but soft murmurs, a proper video feed seems to start up but all anyone can see are bare feet for another few moment or two before a face, zoomed in too closely, comes into view. luckily, this too is fixed and the audience can finally see her face--properly. ]

Th, this is on now, right? Hello?

Yeah! Just like that. See, you gotta look for the light.

( the voice comes from ikki who’s standing behind her, one arm slung over her shoulder to point towards the screen and the light in question. )

You should probably introduce yourself or something.

[ the camera shakes for a moment and a startled shout can be heard. the camera whips around and suddenly Ikki's face is now on camera ]

A, ah! I... [ a pause before the camera slowly lowers, giving the viewers a nice shot of his chest. her voice is soft, barely above a whisper. ] Ikki-kun..?

( he grins for the video feed before grabbing the device to twist it towards kururu’s face again. )

This is Sumeragi Kururu, an integral part of Kogarasumaru! Treat her kindly or suffer the consequences!