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

[wannabesaint]

[It was a good thing Priere had good reflexes because for once, stopping herself from uppercutting the poor man straight to the ceiling was the correct thing to do. But honestly, who the hell jumps up on someone like this? In the middle of a demon world?

So instead of punching him, she simply jerked back, still not yanking her hand away. At the very least... he called her 'fair maiden', hey at least he knew his stuff.]

... demons?

[Smooth Priere... Smooth. Not that it wasn't too farfetched of a guess.]

[musicalplum]

An astute assumption, yes! But which one? I have heard talk of an Overlord, who is said to be the most powerful.

[he looms down toward Priere, face intent]

We are in terrible danger!

1/2

[wannabesaint]

HEY! Back off!

[Way, way too close there, plum boy. NOW, she yanks herself away rather forcefully, jumping backwards and not caring one bit if he gets hits or anything.]

2/2

[wannabesaint]

[Aaaaand... just like that, she's back to her normal, smiling self.]

Okay, so, just another demon. No biggie!

[After all, how hard can an Overlord be, right?]

[musicalplum]

[he does get smacked in the face, but he deals with it in stride, instead more horrified by her words than anything else]

B-But, miss, are you not a mere human? Mortal? You will surely be going to your death if you were to challenge this Overlord!

[wannabesaint]

Huh? Well yeah, of course I'm human! What else would I be--?

[Waaaaait a sec... now that she takes a better look at him, YOU'RE the one that looks like a demon...]

Hey! Wait a minute, what are you supposed to be?!

[musicalplum]

[oh, he's so glad you asked. He draws himself up to his full height, tossing his ponytail off his shoulder and posing elegantly]

I am a god, my lady. Few mortals are lucky enough to gaze upon me, and those who do will recall the name "Troubadour" for the rest of their lives! I am the Spirit of the Plum Tree and a traveler, adventurer...

[he pulls out his harp and strums some very lovely chords] ...and bard.

[wannabesaint]

[And our young maiden stops and stares at the god, so stunned that not even a word can escape her mouth... until a few seconds later, when the stupor stops and...]

... am I supposed to believe that?

[musicalplum]

...

Y-Yes? I mean, it isn't a lie! It is the truth!

[wannabesaint]

Yeah well, I'm Sister Priere, and I never heard of you.

[Granted, she kinda slept through most of her classes... But yeah, pretty damn sure she never heard of a God of the Plum Trees or whatever. Seriously...]

[musicalplum]

Sister? What does having siblings have to do with hearing about gods?

[wannabesaint]

...

I live in a church, moron!

[musicalplum]

Church, church... [he folds his arms and lifts one hand to his chin, considering for a moment, before the lightbulb goes on and he hits his palm with a fist]

Oh! Those buildings you humans build to worship! Ha ha, no, my lady, I'm not one of those gods!

[wannabesaint]

[You mean the type of gods she can totally call down to smite your butt with? Because right now, Priere is looking more and more impatient.]

Oh, and what kind of god are you then?

[musicalplum]

[yes, that type]

A free god, Sister Priere! Beholden to no one, traveling wherever I please, always chasing after a dream...

[his self-impressed expression shifts to one of complete depression] Only now I am trapped her, surrounded by mortals and demons! It's all terribly wrong!

[wannabesaint]

[Right. A free god. Yeah, not buying this one bit.]

Well, sorry for being a mortal!

If you're a god, why can't you just magic your way out of here, anyway?

[musicalplum]

I have tried to do just that, but something is preventing me! There has been no contact from Heaven, either...ah, when I think of being stuck here without them even noticing...!

[his hands go to his head as he moans dramatically]

[wannabesaint]

[... she can't imagine why, really.]

You're already going to give up and start complaining just for that?

Are you a god or a wimp?!

[musicalplum]

I-I didn't say I was giving up! [goodness, she does know how to strike at a man's pride]

[wannabesaint]

[It's what she does.]

Then get out there and do your god thing!

1/2

[musicalplum]

YES!

2/2

[musicalplum]

...er. What "god thing" might you be referring to?

[wannabesaint]

...

How should I know?!

You're the one who keep calling himself a god!

[musicalplum]

Because I am one, of course. That hardly means I am some omnipotent, omnipresent being that can simply exert my will into reality! There are procedures! Paperwork!

[wannabesaint]

Paperwork!? THAT'S your excuse?

[She's torn. On one hand, that is the stupidest reason ever and proof that you're full of shit. On the other hand... it honestly wouldn't surprise her if Gods had paperwork...]