Welcome to the Netherworld!

[lazyvassals]

[It is difficult to define what a normal afternoon is by Netherworld standards. In the dark, torch-lit halls of the Overlord's Castle, penguin-suited prinnies totter about pretending to do work, while most other vassals make no effort at all to pretend. No fights have broken out yet, but it is questionable how long that will last with the Overlord being awake. It is just the sort of calm that comes before something unexpected happens, or someone makes it happen out of boredom.

And that is precisely when the first stranger comes through the swirling vortex of the Dimensional Gate.

It doesn't seem so unusual at first, because people use that gate on a daily basis. But more people start to show up, people who aren't demons. The Gatekeeper herself has no idea where they've come from, or how they've found their way to the Netherworld.

Unfortunately, neither do the unexpected guests.]

Comments

[beautifulrondo]

[oh look, Laharl, it's your favorite person ever.]

I should have known you would be here, my eternal rival! For a moment, I had feared that you would be in your room, hiding from the problem that has settled upon your doorstep.

[makainoou]

[Ugh, go away, he's trying to find a save point.]

Like I'd be hiding from anything!

[Except heart-shaped furniture but that is a completely legitimate fear.]

Who let you in here?

[beautifulrondo]

Who can say? Perhaps fate's gentle, guiding hand has graced moi with the path where I am most needed.

[in other words, "it was an accident" doesn't make him sound nearly as cool]

[makainoou]

Like hell it did.

Do you actually have anything useful to tell me, or are you just here to get your ass kicked again?

[beautifulrondo]

That all depends on whether or not you are aware of the growing group of people who have recently exited the dimensional gate.

[makainoou]

I've been informed.

So you can get lost already.

[beautifulrondo]

[and there goes most of the wind from his sails]

...Oh. I see. [then again, he did get distracted on his way to the throne room, so it's not TOO surprising that he's late]

Well! That still leaves the matter of what you intend to do with these poor, misplaced souls.

[makainoou]

Do with them?

Obviously they'll have to leave.

[Like you. You can lead the way.]

[beautifulrondo]

To l--! Even if it is not by your doing, this event happened within your Netherworld! Some responsibility must be taken!

[makainoou]

I didn't ask for your opinion.

[beautifulrondo]

Perhaps not, but as long as it is a problem, then I shall continue to give it. If you disapprove, would not addressing the issue clear things up sooner?

[makainoou]

I'm going to address it, as soon as I'm finished here. [Gotta find that save point you know.]

This isn't your castle any more than it is theirs, so it's not really your concern.

[beautifulrondo]

[he makes several frustrated noises, wanting to argue but knowing that he can't. Finally he just crosses his arms and turns away in a huff.]

Very well then! I shall hold you to your word, then, son of Krichevskoy. But know that if you do not, I shall be forced to intervene!

[makainoou]

That won't be necessary, but I think we know how any attempts on your part would go.

[beautifulrondo]

I will have you know that my training has increased a thousandfold since last we met. I will not be so easy to defeat as you believe.

[makainoou]

Like I haven't heard that boast before.

[beautifulrondo]

It is the truth! These things take time, you know!

[makainoou]

It'd take someone like you a lot longer than a month to close the gap in our abilities, and that's forgetting that I'm getting stronger, too.