#lap loop au

{ And as he charged forth he heard that split second crack; the signifying sound as a wall crumbled to pieces, yielding instantly to the force with which he ran. An invisible wall he hadn't noticed before shattering like glass. Since when had there been a wall here? It didn't matter. He just wanted to get out of this hell already. }

{ As he ran into the light of the outside world, he could've sworn he'd seen it blur a faint yellow and red. }

{ It wasn't the outside world that greeted him, though. }

{ He was still here. }

{ Everything was still intact. Shouldn't it have fallen to pieces? Every painting, that stupid welcome sign... even the vase on the table was in perfect condition; not a single hint of damage. }

{ Peppino peeked into the closest gateway... }

{ ...still intact }

{ Peppino backpedaled, feeling a crushing weight suffocating him. No– no, no. What was happening here!? Why was it like everything had reset!? He couldn't do this again. No, no, he couldn't! }

{ But there was no other way. }

{ And so Peppino traversed through the tower in record time, racing through like his life depended on it. Just one more time and he'd be free. Just one more. }

{ He dashed through the exit– }

{ –but nothing changed. But he couldn't be stuck here. He couldn't just do nothing. So he did it again, }

{ and again, }

{ and again, }

{ and again, }

{ Okay. Maybe this wasn't working. }

{ Peppino is now available for asks! }

"I really shouldn't... Oh- fine! But just for a second. I didn't even-a notice these..."

"Like I said, nothing has changed as far as I can tell. Up until now. You all haven't been-a here, either."

{ perhaps you ought to shift your focus to: someone else? }

"And then we add the finishing touches…"

{ the chef may not be able to reach this guy just yet, but you could, at least }

"You... really?"

{ hes practically tearing up }

"I've always wanted green eyes, you know, always though it'd match my stem... And I'm right, of course! I've done many paintings, and when comparing green to blue... well the green just looks correct, you know? More fitting."

{ gently, he puts the contacts off to the side somewhere. }

"Ahahah, indeed I am! I was demonstrating some of my grand techniques, and, well, I'm quite eager to witness what they can come up with after witnessing such inspiring artwork!"

{ he looks over to the toppins, smile gentle and fond }

"Their skills are rather poor, but that's quite alright! Art takes time and practice, and sometimes you will find that it's the intent and meaning behind the pieces which matter more than the technical aspects to it. Sure, sure, one doesn't need much reason to create beyond simply wanting to, but there's something simply divine about works created from the soul. It's quite touching, to see how hard they try, and witness how their emotions shine through onto the paints and paper."

How’s my apple-looking buddy?

"A-apple-looking?!"

"I'm quite clearly a pepper- why, it's even in my name!"

{ Hmph. }

{ don't let it get to you, pepperman! just... ignore it, for now. }

Hold ON- Hold the fuck up-

Pizza head?! You're behind all this?!

Why am I that surprised-

{ The nearby television screen snapped to life, Pizzahead giving them a wave }

"Oh golly, now just what are you on about, huh? Behind 'it'? Behind what, HAH?! I mean, I've done quiiiite a lot of things, you know! Is it the whole 'im gonna laser your shoddy restaurant' thing? Because I think I'd be doing quite the service to get rid of that eyesore! You don't even live there, why are you so mad about it, anyway? Oh, and can you please not yell? I've got a reaaaal bad headache right now!"

{ he very noticeably slapped an icebag onto his head. }

{ It slid right off the moment his hand left it. }

"Must be from all the screentime, gosh, I really ought to cut back on that! Oh gee, I could even start right now even! Though it is fun talking to you… ah, but what's the point in chatting if you're just gonna yell at me for doing the world a favour? I've got loooots of things to do, too, running a tower is lots of work! Can't afford to waste time dilly-dallying with you lot. Yep, so if that'll be all, I'll be going now!"

{ he waved emphatically once more and blew a kiss at the screen }

"Buh-byeeee if you have any issues with the tower just call my secretary- er, do I have one of those?- hm, well, no matter! Just get Gerome then, I guess. I reaaaaaally don't care either way! I'll seeya soon hope you enjoy your stay I'm gonna go make sure my super-cool-awesome-death-laser doesn't get lonely, toodlooooo~!"