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]

Is that not the way it is supposed to be? A rivalry is about ensuring that each side reaches their greatest potential, is it not?

[musicalplum]

[he stares at Vyers, sullen and still suspicious, but there's a glint of something in his eyes] ...are you really a demon?

[beautifulrondo]

[he chuckles] What a strange question. Did I not already tell you? Not all demons are as you believe.

[and with this overly mysterious statement, he pulls out a rose and strikes a pose]

1/2

[musicalplum]

[th-that... is so stylish and cool, wow!]

2/2

[musicalplum]

[Ah! But he can't be outdone by a demon! He pulls out his harp and strums a few chords, a smirk on his lips and his tilts his body just so, allowing his cape to billow dramatically around him]

So you say! I confess, you are not remotely what I was expecting a demon to be...but as a free god, I have my own pride, and it does not allow me to be dissuaded so easily! Perhaps you are merely a strange demon, unique and possibly crazy.

[ah, if only there were plum trees nearby...]

[beautifulrondo]

[the corner of his mouth twitches slightly. Crazy? Him? And now this free god looks as though he's attempting to look cooler than him... THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED]

Tsk tsk... A god should know better. After all, you are beholden to neither demons nor angels, free to take whatever stance on the world as you will.

Er... although I might say, I expected a god-level being to have a bit more... presence.

[he feels like he could beat you, man.]

[musicalplum]

P-P-Pres--! [he sputters, turning red, and his hands fumble on his harp, making a discordant twang]

I have plenty of presence! Your demonic heart is simply too dark to understand the magnitude of my charisma!

[beautifulrondo]

[Blocked! Vyers is too used to that sort of accusation. Ego-Boost counter engaged!] Dark? The Dark Adonis I may be, but moi's heart is as pure and gentle as a petal on the breeze. You are free to think of moi however you like, I alone shall continue to know the truth.

[musicalplum]

[what, he even has a cool nickname? How is that even fair? And such an elegant turn of phrase...!]

Regardless! I will not stand here and be idly insulted by a demon in his own backyard. Obviously we simply have different tastes!

[even if he is beginning to think Vyers is pretty cool...]

[beautifulrondo]

That may be true. I cannot claim to know how gods live their lives. And perhaps you may come into your own in time. You are still fairly young, after all.

[musicalplum]

It is true, I am in the prime of my life. Perhaps when I am as old as you, I will more easily convey my aura, regardless of cultural differences.

[beautifulrondo]

O... O... OLD?! [Critical Hit! Massive ego damage inflicted!]

I will have you know that I am perfectly young! I am simply wise and experienced! It has absolutely, positively nothing to do with age!

[musicalplum]

Perhaps young at heart. Ah, it all makes sense now...you've likely had untold number of years to perfect your image. I confess, it is rather impressive...for a demon.

[beautifulrondo]

You... How dare you! God or no, I will not stand for this barrage of insults!

[he drops into a battle stance]

[musicalplum]

...so you finally reveal your true, violent nature. [how...disappointing, actually. For a second, he had almost thought...ah, no matter!]

I will not hold back, demon! Behold!

[Suddenly, the light seems to shift over Troubadour, casting him in shadow, and his forehead symbol and his eyes seem to be glowing red, or perhaps that's just the powerfully dark aura he's putting out. When he calls out his attack, his voice reverberates, unnaturally commanding]

Mushi Mushi Shoukanka!

[he begins to sing, his voice echoing, and within seconds, Vyers should have the extremely unpleasant sensation of worms and insects crawling through his body!]

Mushi mushi mushishi shi mushimushi mushi~♪

[beautifulrondo]

Hmph! For someone who was adamant about demons being wicked, that is quite the terrible aur--AH!

[he doubles over, holding onto himself and trying to scratch and rub the terrible deep-seated feeling in his skin away. But even as he fights against this terrible, maddening feeling, something about Troubadour's cursing song occurs to him]

Those lyrics... They're terrible!

[musicalplum]

[CRITICAL EGO HIT! It knocks him out of his concentration, and he flails, his voice cracking]

THEY ARE NOT! They are effective and elegant in simplicity!

[beautifulrondo]

[he gives himself a good shake to try (and fail) to get rid of that lingering crawling feeling in his skin. It's going to take him a lot of showers to get rid of that feeling.]

All you are doing is singing "bugs" over and over again! There is no dramatic flair and hardly any presentation! The only sense of tension I felt came from that dark aura that surrounded you as you sang!

To put such a half-hearted performance into your ultimate attack... You should be ashamed!

[musicalplum]

[he falls to his hands and knees, unable to withstand such withering censure...of the one high-level attack he has! The only one! VYERS Y U DO THIS]

I...It cannot be helped...! Those are the lyrics of the spell! They cannot deviate or the spell won't work!

[beautifulrondo]

Hmph! A terrible excuse. If those awful lyrics must be included, you must do whatever you can to distract from them. You cannot rely upon a dark aura alone.

[musicalplum]

It-! Y-You! I must focus entirely on the song! It must be pitch perfect! You have no idea what you're talking about!

[yeah, you're hitting him where it hurts. He shoots back to his feet, snarling, and that aura appears again as he launches into the song with gusto]

[beautifulrondo]

[Vyers sees it coming this time, and though it's a bit difficult to concentrate with such an uncomfortable, disgusting feeling coursing through his body, he manages to keep from doubling over again]

Allow moi to show you... a truly elegant attack!

[he throws his hand forward and a bunch of rose petals begin to drift slowly downward. Just as they're all scattered in front of him, Vyers whips around and punches, catching the petals alight in a spiral of flame]

[musicalplum]

[Troubadour only has a moment to be awed by the beauty of the attack until he's engulfed in flame and explodes with an anguished cry of defeat.

To think a demon could be so...so...cool!

Passed out, he twitches on the ground as smoke rises from his singed body]

[beautifulrondo]

[Vyers gives one last shudder and stares down at Troubadour, shaking his head]

I tried to warn you, sir, but you did not listen. Perhaps now you will learn to respect those of greater experience.

[he looks toward the doors, brushing off his sleeves and muttering to himself about how unclean he feels as he starts to head toward the throne room to see a certain rival]