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

[musicalplum]

[he chuckles indulgently and holds out his hand for her, smiling smugly] That is simply because he has not been properly motivated! Come, my lady, we will appeal to this Prince and stir him into action!

[narsheprincess]

I suppose we should--

[She reaches out to take his hand, then stumbles, reaching out for the wall again.]

[musicalplum]

...ah!

[he's quick to reach out and help support her by gently taking hold of her elbow] Miss Branford, what is the matter? Are you ill?

[narsheprincess]

[Terra winces and glances up at him, sheepish.]

Thank you. And no, I'm not ill...but I was in battle before I came here. I went to the infirmary, but I wasn't getting any answers there. Maybe I overdid it.

[musicalplum]

A battle! You should not push yourself, my lady!

[so saying, he stoops and easily lifts her up in his arms with a concerned frown] I am taking you someplace safe. Fear not!

[he begins to hover off the floor]

[narsheprincess]

[Terra startles a bit at that, automatically clinging as a result.]

I'm not afraid. I've...done something something like this before.

[Well, by herself. It's a bit different being lifted by someone else.]

[musicalplum]

Something like...? Oh! Flying? Truly?

[he smiles down at her as he flies through the halls, cape flapping behind him] You are full of surprises, Miss Branford!

[narsheprincess]

[She nods to his question, though obviously isn't going to demonstrate at that moment. For once, she lacks the energy. So, she'll just hold on and peer around as they fly down the halls.]

Please...just call me Terra.

[musicalplum]

I....I can't do that. We have only just met, and I am a gentleman!

[he searches through the castle for an empty room, but there sure are a lot of people. Demons everywhere! Nowhere is safe!]

[narsheprincess]

[That just confuses her, and it shows.]

But it's my name.

[She watches where he takes her, but doesn't really have a solution other than....]

I guess I should just go back to the infirmary, if that's alright. If you let me rest a little, I would still go to Prince Laharl with you.

[musicalplum]

[he pauses, hovering up by the ceiling, and frowns worriedly at her]

I suppose there is no other recourse. Very well, Miss Br...M-Miss Terra. I shall take you to the infirmary and watch over you lest the demons try to take advantage of your present weakness!

[he zooms back down, his arms secure around her, and flies over the tops of demon heads, ending back at what he hopes is the infirmary. His feet touch the ground and he carefully sets her down on a narrow bed]

How are you feeling?

[narsheprincess]

That's kind of you--

[More zooming. It's a relief when she's set down on the bed, and a soft sigh of comfort escapes her. How did she ever manage to get the energy to leave it in the first place?]

A little light-headed, but I'm sure that will pass. There's nothing wrong with me that some time won't fix, really. Thank you for your help.

[musicalplum]

[he stands over his bed, arms folded, and cuts a suspicious glare to any demon or monster that gets too close, though they're all ignoring him...obviously]

Miss Terra, I find myself bewildered as to how a gentle young woman such as yourself fought a battle. And to such an extent that you would be so drained!

[narsheprincess]

[Again there's that hesitation, as Terra's not sure how much she should say nor that eager to speak about it. She bites her lip.]

Well...I was summoned. It was a war between two gods, and they brought in people from other worlds to fight for them. When I awoke here, I thought this might be more of the same...but I guess it's not.

[musicalplum]

A war...between gods!? [why hadn't HE heard of this? Was he left out again??]

To make an innocent maiden fight for them...it is unforgivable!

[narsheprincess]

[Terra doesn't share his outrage, looking more resigned to it than anything else.]

It's what I know.

Do you know Chaos and Cosmos? Those were the two involved.

[musicalplum]

Chaos...Cosmos? [well, they seem like god-like names enough, but...he looks a bit sheepish as he glances down at Terra]

Er, I do not. There are many of us, after all, and I confess I, ah...I am fairly low on the totem pole.

[narsheprincess]

[She shakes her head, then winces slightly as maybe she ought to have been more gentle there.]

It's alright. I guess it's silly to assume that you might all know each other.

[musicalplum]

Yes, I suppose... [he puts his hand to his chin, glancing away as he mutters to himself] But to force humans to engage in our affairs...what in the world is the main office thinking!?]

[he shakes his head and moves to kneel by the bed] I feel it is my duty, as one of the divine, to extend my heartfelt apology for the danger my people have placed you in. You have my solemn vow that I will protect you, Miss Terra!

[narsheprincess]

[Such a display provokes a gentle if puzzled smile from Terra, still unused to people helping her in any way.]

Are you sure? I mean, we just met. I don't want to push you into anything.

[musicalplum]

W-Well...in truth, I do not intend to be here for long. But if I can find a way back to my realm, we can surely find a way back to yours as well! Until then, you may rely on me as a stalwart ally.

[narsheprincess]

[That makes sense to her and she relaxes, looking drowsy.]

That's fair enough. If you give me a little time to rest, I'll be ready to go to find the prince after, alright?

[musicalplum]

Of course! You must take all the time you need to rest and recover, my lady. You are mortal, after all!

[he pauses, looking uncertain]

...ah, perhaps I should see the prince alone, however. I have no wish to put you in undue danger.

[narsheprincess]

You're sure? It didn't sound like he was dangerous.

[Just lazy.]

[musicalplum]

I'm sure the prince will be a noble soul, but this castle is full of monsters. If one should attack you while we track down this prince...

[but a sudden realization has him putting his hand to his head, as if thinking on this too hard is painful]

Ah, but if I left, you would be here alone!