Chapter Text
It was a lazy Tuesday, after the events of the tower Peppino desperately needed a break from running. Though he doesn't believe anything can kill him, he is sure as hell afraid of what kind of things torments him in the long run. He stayed at his pizzaria since it doubled as his home, with his room being in the second basement and such.
Peppino hears there's a ruckus in front of his pizzaria, at first Peppino thought it was another auditory hallucination since he's so used to being alone. He heard a familiar voice, was that Pepperman he heard? Curiosity took an opportunity and struck without loss. Peppino went outside and discovered that Pepperman is creating a statue near.. A town Square? Huh?
The Italian man stood for a moment and saw the welcome sign, "Welcome to Topping Town! " And Peppino was baffled. A Town? Right in front of his pizzaria? What great news Peppino thought to himself. He always regretted picking his pizzeria location in a remote place and having to chase down his customers if he wanted to make any cash to pay his debt and loans.
But with a Town in front of him, he doesn't have to catch wind trying to get extra bucks! Maybe he can finally get some customers to visit, Peppino smiled for a bit. Pepperman notices him and immediately strikes a conversation, startling Peppino.
"Ah Mr Spaghetti! What do you think of the sign? I think it's rather wonderful don't you think? " Oh right, Pepperman is an artist, Peppino wonders how much Pepperman makes with his commissions but came to the conclusion it was more than his average wage with how famous he is.
He comes closer and pats Peppino, Peppino feels a little uncomfortable but doesn't mind it all too much. Peppino glares at the statue and then back to the sign, and then his surrounding area. It really was the Town Square! "Hey, uh, Pepperman. Are you all-a building a Town?" Peppino asked while gesturing his hands, Pepperman thought he was doing sign language but answered the question regardless.
"Why yes we are Chef Spaghetti, with the help of Gerome and John we'd figure we should make a Town for everyone who once lived in the tower to have a roof on top of their heads. Topping Town sounds nice don't you think? I picked it, so it must be great! "
Peppino remembers, as it was literally a few days ago, that John was revived with all the locked items in the janitor's closet. Peppino thought to himself, huh. Does that make John the mayor? “Is John the mayor? What about Gerome?”
Pepperman pointed to a nearby building being constructed, it looked like it'll take a while until the town is complete but Peppino notices Gerome is currently digging out a rather large hole. It must be for the foundation he thought. He approaches the hole while Pepperman takes a photo with his latest creation. Gerome immediately notices Peppinos presence and gestures to him a wave. "Ah. Peppino. You look rather calm. " Gerome said with a voice that was flat as a board.
"I have no tower looming over my head, however headaches a pounding! " Peppino told Gerome his complaint, Gerome can't help but feel the same. "You tell me. There's this little gremlin freak that's been yapping me to rebuild his studio. I told him if he keeps this up he'll be buried alive in cement. People nowadays don't have an ounce of respect for infrastructure I tell ya. The nerve. " Ah, The Noise, Peppino thought. He felt a comradery with Gerome to an extent about respect. He'll deal with Noise later, but Peppino thought it would be nice to give Gerome something for all his hard work.
So Peppino went back to his Pizzeria and scrapped every last stock of lemon, water, sugar and ice. He didn't have a blender or a squeezer so he had to do all of it by hand. Thanks to his strength and speed it was easy, but the lack of ice made the drink not as enjoyable. Only 4 huge ice cubes left, it was worth it he supposed. A jug full of lemonade on a hot sunny day, a little refreshment for his buddy.
He went back to see Gerome starting to lay the beams of what could possibly be the mayor's office building. Gerome notices Peppino holding a tray with the iced lemonade jug and glass. "It's for-a you, in the house. " Gerome took a glass and sipped a little bit. He made a loud tasting noise, and was.. surprisingly impressed!
"Not bad, Pep. Thank you. " Gerome gives him a thumbs up and Peppino thumbs up back. He waves Gerome goodbye as he looks around to see if there's anyone else he recognizes. Pepperman saw Peppino gave Gerome the iced lemonade jug and was baffled!
"What?! How could he give it to,, that janitor guy and not me?! I worked hard on this sign and statue!! " He kept complaining while neither Peppino nor Gerome gave him attention.
