"So you're saying Lulu's nuts because of berries?" Icarus stared at the squirrel.

'Yes.'

"And you didn't stop us why?" He gave him a pointed look.

Lionel stood. 'Nuts. Lio likes nuts.'

"So you're saying you let us eat some hallucinatory berries because of nuts?"

Lionel nodded. 'People in white grow berries. Called Dizzy Berry. Lio tried once - not good.'

Icarus smacked his forehead with a big sigh. "I don't even know...well are we going to be affected?"

Nod. 'Not too bad. You live.'

Icarus groaned, pulling at his collar as he sweated. Lulu had been strapped down to a chair in the house they found. It seemed to belong to some old couple that was currently on vacation - it said so on the calendar and they figured out the date by looking at the digital clock. They'd be gone for another week so they decided to stay for a few days since there was no other plan.

"I'm not a raving lunatic," Lulu was saying. "I'm just getting so hot now."

"Oh god," Abigail groaned rolling her eyes.

"I can't believe this," Matt sighed. "Lulu's raving mad at the moment...does Lio know how long this will last?"

Icarus glared at the small mammal.

'Human? No. Lio dizzy for one day. Lio don't know for girl.'

"And us?"

'Lio don't know.'

"Is it just me or is it getting hot?" Alexis giggled fanning herself with a magazine. "I mean, like really guys, isn't it just roasting in here? And what's with this snake on the couch? It follows me everywhere!"

Matthew looked at her worriedly as she stared at her black tail. Abigail only shook her head with an exasperated sigh. "There goes another one."

"Okay, who brought the berries again?" Storm looked around the room.

Icarus and Abigail chorused, "Matthew."

Matthew widened his eyes. "It's not like I'm a freakin' boy scout guys! I mean, come on, how was I supposed to know they were funky berries?"

"Fufufu, look at it do a funny dance! Look guys! Look!"

About an hour later, Matthew (who was convinced the pillows had it out for him then shouting, "Watch it! I have a pen*s and I'm not afraid to use it!"), Storm and Abigail succumbed to the craziness. Icarus succeeded in trapping them in the bathroom - save for the raving lunatic in the kitchen. Lulu was giggling hysterically at absolutely nothing while the others seemingly had a party with Alexis' snake. He could hear them laughing and saying crazy things about pretty colors and even something about a dancing turtle. Icarus felt hot and sweaty as he sat across from Lulu. The world was a little hazy at best but he still had his sanity in check. He looked across at the clock. The glowing green numbers read 2:04 in the morning. Lulu had been like this for about...six hours? They got there around eight when they got inside. Lulu's wound had been tended to but surprisingly healed over and was now a pale scar on her torso - not that she cared. She had eaten the most berries and had the longest personality switch so far. Icarus, thankfully, tried about two berries before spitting them out.

"Excuse me - hey! - you there!"

Hearing her voice so loudly was probably not to be heard after this again. He pressed his ears flat to his head and wrinkled his nose. The dried blood still stuck to her clothes seeing as it was difficult enough to get her to stay still so they could heal her wound. They also couldn't have her sitting shirtless either so she was strapped to a chair in the end.

"Are you deaf or what? Get me milk and cookies! I demand cookies this very instant! Hey! Are you listening? GIVE ME THE DAMNED COOKIES!"

Icarus rumbled a low growl in his throat. Lulu was getting extremely irritating. She was constantly demanding something and hadn't even showed any signs of returning to her normal self. Icarus couldn't stand her constant shouting and was thankful the house was in a large section of land, the nearest house being miles away. He slumped forward on the table, arms folded and gazed ahead vacantly. He'd gotten good at tuning out noise.

"Fine!" Lulu harrumphed. "Be that way you senseless jerk!"

She became still and only glowered silently fuming. Icarus sighed inaudibly in relief and shut his eyes. He was a bit tired from watching everyone and needed some rest. Lionel hopped onto the table from his cozy spot on the couch and chittered loudly.

'Ick shouldn't sleep. Need to watch crazies.'

"Don't wanna," he yawned.

Lionel danced on his head. 'Lio will poop. Listen to Lio.'

Icarus swatted him off his head but he returned. "Bug off..."

'Poop? Lio poops now.'

Icarus jerked back up, sending the squirrel onto the floor with a startled squeak. He turned his head to glare at him then resumed staring off into space. The only noises in the house was the crazy talk from the bathroom and the tick of a clock in the living room. Lio triumphantly went back to getting cozy on the couch. Sighing, Icarus got up to get something to eat. He might as well seeing as forest berries didn't do them any good. He looked in the pantry and picked out things the people wouldn't miss when they returned. He reached for the can of peaches and shut the cabinet door and peeled the can open before rummaging through all the drawers for a fork. He then settled back against the counter and began eating quietly. He glanced at Lulu as she glowered silently, silvery blue eyes narrowed and a small frown upon her mouth.

He held out the can. "Peaches?"

She instantly brightened as if she'd never glowered. "Really? Peaches? As in, the fruit peaches?"

He looked back in the can then shrugged. "Well, yeah. I mean, peaches...is there any other kind?"

Lulu grinned widely. "Gimme! I totally want some of those delicious peaches!"

He stood from the counter, holding out a peach in the fork. He looked as if he were about to hand it to her then smirked, pulling it away from her eagerly open mouth. "Just kiddin'."

Lulu snapped her mouth closed and pouted, slightly annoyed. She could smell the peaches and they were going to be damned delicious! "Stop joking and feed me!"

Icarus snickered; annoyed Lulu was funny and amusing. At least it helped him pass the time. "Okay, okay, fine. Because I'm nice."

He held out the peach again and let her take a bite. Lulu chewed it quickly and opened her mouth for another bite. Icarus rolled his eyes and held it out again. Lulu leaned forward and opened her mouth to take a bite - only to snap on empty air. She glared at him as he held it inches away from her face. He laughed again at her annoyed expression.

Lulu exhaled in frustration. "Quit it and give it!"

Icarus only grinned in amusement. He taunted her with the peach then held it out again, letting her take a bite. She chewed it slowly this time, eyeing him warily. Icarus ate one himself, only watching her thoughtfully. He held out another peach for her. Lulu waited a moment and hesitated as she neared the peach, waiting for him to pull it away. He didn't. She nibbled the corner then took a bigger bite. She leaned back enjoying her sweet peach. Icarus ate another for himself as he finished the other then held out another one for her. She leaned forward to take a bite then he took it away again. He leaned forward this time, grinning knowing he had the upper hand. Lulu practically seethed visible waves of irritation as he held the peach in his right hand next to him. He was close to her face, wiggling his eyebrows at her distressed state. She wanted the peach and he wanted a game.

"You're a very cruel person," she concluded narrowing her eyes slightly.

"I'm just teasing," he chuckled innocently.

Lulu snorted then paused, formulating a plan. They were still, each staring into the eyes of each other and daring the other to make a move; green staring into silvery blue. His eyes widened as she jerked forward, planting a brusque peck on his cheek and took one of her claws to free herself, grasping the forked peach and taking it from his hand - all in four seconds. Lulu then sat back, crossing her legs and chomping on her peach triumphantly. He was frozen in place, staring at the small girl in front of him who only look pleased with herself.

"Serves you right," she huffed finishing off the last of her slice.

He stood up and only rolled his eyes, "You caught me off-guard."

"Did I?" Lulu giggled. "My bad."

Icarus turned after giving her the can to check up the others who were strangely silent. He opened the door to the bathroom slowly. Alexis' giggle was the first thing he heard. Then Abigail and Matthew's snigger and Storm's amused chuckle. Icarus opened the door and all of them were huddled on the floor. They all looked at him like children who were waiting for someone to set off one of their prank traps. He didn't move just in case. Alexis stood first.

"Icarus, be honest," she crossed her arms. "I want you to explain why all of us are trapped in a bathroom with the door locked. If it weren't for the 'leave the place as we found it' rule, I'd have kicked this door down by now. So explain."

"Well, you were looney. 'Nuff said."

"I was?" Abigail widened her eyes. "What'd I do?"

"Well, I noticed after you started talking to the lamp." Icarus shrugged. "I didn't go looney. You two guys though, started talking to the couches and arguing with the pillows..."

All of them filed out, flipping off the light switch and joining in the lit kitchen where a sleeping Lulu sat at the table, an empty peach can laying on it's side and her propping up her head with her hand, a fork with a half-eaten peach on the other end. And Icarus was only gone for about five minutes.

"You think she'll be fine?" Abigail rubbed her eyes. "Gah, I have this godawful headache."

The others agreed with a small nod.

"She might wake up the old Lulu," Storm shrugged tiredly. "I'm just going to pass out on the couch now."

"I call the other..." Matthew yawned following him to the living room.

Alexis and Abigail studied Lulu as she softly breathed and smile a bit. She kinda looked like a child who just got back from some kind of party. They then looked at Icarus with a knowing smirk. Alexis cocked her head to one side.

"I know what she did," she giggled innocently as she bypassed him to go to one of the bedrooms.

"We all do," Abigail followed Alexis to sleep.

Icarus felt heat creep up on his cheeks and blamed the heat rush on the berries. He took one last glance at Lulu then turned off the light and went to the living room, falling asleep on the floor after stealing a pillow from Storm. Another exciting day with the bird kids. Typical.

I awoke to the sound of birds and lifted my head slowly. I was aware of the light streaming in from the windows and blinked my eyes tiredly yawning. I shut my eyes again as the light seemed to pierce them. My head hurt. A lot. And my tongue felt kinda fuzzy while my whole brain felt as if it was stuffed with cotton. My ears adjusted to the peaceful silence of my surrounding and I opened my eyes slightly.

I was in the kitchen tightly clutching a fork in my hand - at least I think it was my hand. I unclenched my fist and slowly raised my head all the way, slowly opening my eyes to adjust. An empty can was on its side, a small puddle of sweet-smelling syrup forming. I licked my lips. Yeah, that empty can was probably because of me. I wonder what happened after I blacked out. I honestly can't remember a thing after crashing. Just being incredibly hot.

I stood on wobbly legs, almost falling as I began walking. I washed my hands and face, waking myself up and pausing to compose myself. I heard a creak behind me and stiffened, jerking my body around out of habit. I swayed a little but just barely and met the gaze of Storm. He smiled politely.

"Morning," his voice seemed as if it were underwater.

I shook my head and squeezed my eyes shut then opened them again. I opened my mouth to reply but all that came out was, "Mooo..."

"Ah, you're head hurts right?" Storm chuckled then walked beside me, reaching behind my shoulder and then revealing a small white bottle that rattled. It resembled what they used to have at the School. "Take one or two of these with water and you should feel better in a while."

I twisted off the cap easily then peered at the small capsules at the bottom cautiously. I sniffed it. It didn't smell particularity dangerous...

"It's fine," Storm handed me a cup of water. "Seriously, just take some and you'll feel better."

I shook out one to try it and set the white container down, eating the capsule. I made a face as the bitter powder landed on my tongue.

Storm laughed at my expression. "You're supposed to drink the water quickly so you don't taste it."

I gulped down the water and set the cup down, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. It washed away some of the taste but some still lingered. I waited a moment just in case I suddenly started spazzing or felt even dizzier but there seemed to be nothing abnormal whatsoever. I nodded to Storm in thanks and stumbled past him to collapse on the chair I was in earlier. I exhaled heavily and propped my head up on my hand, watching Storm carefully. He only smiled at me and washed the cup before setting it back in the cupboard. Shortly afterwords, he sat down across from me.

"Oh, you're both up," Abigail sleepily shuffled in. "Is everyone alright? I counted to make sure everyone was here and they're all sleeping."

"Lulu's got a headache but we're both fine," he answered for me.

Abigail looked at me for confirmation. I nodded my head slowly. Too fast and I'd probably puke. I puked once before and it wasn't too pleasant. It had left a bitter acrid taste in my mouth and Mimi hadn't been too happy about it either.

"I can't believe what happened last night," she shuffled through the cabinets for food and grabbed some crackers. "I'm also extremely hungry; you guys?"

I shook my head not too sure if I could hold anything solid down at the moment. My stomach gurgled in agreement. I groaned and rested my eyes too tired to care about what went around me. I heard them chat quietly as they munched on crackers, the others starting to stir in their sleep. Alexis rose first, joining them in the kitchen. Abigail greeted her before going to rise the last two up. I blocked out their conversations to save my headache from getting worse. After a couple more minutes, I began hearing normally again and my headache faded away slowly.

"Man, I feel like I've been hit in the head with a baseball bat repeatedly," Matthew scratched his head with a yawn.

I peered at him curiously. "What is a 'baseball bat?'"

All eyed turned on me. "You don't know?" they chorused in unison.

I shook my head.

"Err, well," Matthew tried to explain. "It's a giant wooden stick used to play a game."

I imagined some giant branch trying to...what? "A game?"

"A baseball game," Abigail added in. "It where you run around on the bases after you hit the baseball."

"I do not understand," I was actually more confused.

"Well, let's just say it's a polished stick of wood," Storm concluded simply. "Now let's make some breakfast!"

"I'm going to watch some tv," Abigail waved him off. "I haven't watched it for ages and I'm just dying to see some cracked up cartoons."

"I think I'll join," Alexis said curious.

"What is a 'cartoon?'" I asked.

"Animated drawings," Storm replied looking at me strangely. "Do you know what a tv is?"

I shook my head.

"It's like a big monitor - you know what that is don't you?"

I nodded. Mimi always showed me the monitor when she took samples from me. It was always white and flat though...

"They have cable! Praise the Cods!" Abigail called out from the living room.

"Uh, I'm pretty sure it's 'Gods,'" Matthew corrected her.

"Cods, Gods whatever," Abigail began flipping through the channels. "They're pretty much the same people..."

Matthew rolled his eyes with a sigh at his naive friend. Storm continue looking at me as he explained. "Well, just go in and see for yourself."

Lulu was distracted by all the new electronics in the house; the washer, the dryer, the microwave, the toaster and even the iron. She seemed to be more likable now that she had shaken off some of her cold and distant self - probably a (hopefully) lasting effect of the berries. Lulu wasn't even sure what to look at next and became fascinated with an electronic toothbrush. But she moved on when she found a small, compact flat silver thing.

Lulu picked it up. It was a little bigger than her hands and about one inch thick. She pulled at the top thinking it was a strange book then wrinkled her brow as a strange keyboard and black screen opened. It was like...a computer. But she had never seen one so small before, hardly paying attention to her surroundings back when she was in the School. She pushed a button knowing it was the power button since she'd seen the same symbol on a bunch of other things. It made a buzzing sound then began humming to life, the screen flickering on.

"You find money?" Icarus asked Storm.

"A lot of money," he replied holding up a suitcase. "Really, this is almost ridiculous. There must be almost a thousand dollars in here!"

"Nice!" Icarus grinned.

Storm grinned back then glanced at Lulu. "What's that you've got there?"

"A mini-computer," she replied best to her knowledge.

"That is called a laptop you poor electronically-deprived child," Abigail came in from another room. "It's a pretty small one but it good for traveling."

Lulu looked at it as small icons began appearing on the desktop of wild flowers. "Can I keep it?"

"If you have the power for it," she shrugged. "Otherwise it'll become useless."

"Okay," she nodded.

*I'm going to put the pic links of your OCs on my profile so check it out when I announce it!

Silv - I've honestly never heard of Rachel's challenge...I looked it up and it's a bit sad. Well, we could all use a little kindness, huh? :)

[*EDIT*] Icarus' link is at my profile. If it shows...it told me it was on there but...i dunno, I keep checking and nothing's there T^T you'll have to look for 'Icarus kitana411' on dA if it doesn't work...I'm sure you'll find Icarus.

[A/N] Yeah, yeah, finished my chapter with my fingers intact. Uh, no set plot to this story so far. It's getting somewhere at least. And I'm not sure who the pairings are yet - sorry for making it so long and confusing but you know, vote for favorites, I'm just tossing the possibilities here... The Dizzy Berries were made up by me and they're hybrids the School created. Was the OOCness okay? I dunno...hopefully I can incorporate more of the other characters in without outshining the other like I am now. (Ah, cripes auraspirt157, I'm doing it again)

Disclaimer: I don't own Abigail, Storm, Icarus and Matthew. Only Lulu; my sweet, darling, lunatic.

Kageki Rin: Your character? She shall appear eventually...I promise :3 (She's probably raiding the storage for edibles behind the scenes anyway!)

~LonelyButLovely