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

+ Getting information from the castle's residents

[lazyvassals]

[After stepping out of the Gate, you'll find yourself in probably the most functional area of the castle, with the infirmary just to your right and Rosen Queen's kiosk a little farther in, although there are plenty of demons just slacking off, too. Depending on where you hail from, some of these people might look downright bizarre. The Gatekeeper looks human enough aside from the pointed ears, but then there are all the prinnies, and the napping zombie, and that ghost over there... They seem to get more monstrous the closer you get to the throne room.

Still, one of them has to know something, right?]

[musicalplum]

[the Gatekeeper is the only one he can presently see that looks remotely familiar, and so Troubadour doesn't venture too far, and though he's trying not to panic...he's definitely panicking]

I insist you send me back to my realm at once! All you need do is look at me to know I don't belong here!

[lazyvassals]

[The dimensional gatekeeper looks a little perplexed at all this...]

I'm sorry, but I am unable to do so right now.

[musicalplum]

What do you mean you are unable to do so right now!? You brought me here to begin with, didn't you?

[narsheprincess]

[At some point, Terra awakens at the infirmary and tries to get the attention of someone less confused than herself, whether staff or not. If she has no luck there, Terra will then depart, probably sooner than she would be advised to do so. But she can't just lay around and do nothing. She needs answers and wants to talk to as many people as she can before deciding what to do next. Anyone who seems at least somewhat friendly, whatever their appearance, will be approached.]

Excuse me....

[lazyvassals]

[How about a floating ghost-like creature? It turns to face Terra, looking vaguely surprised by her presence.]

You sure aren't from around here.

[Yup. Total understatement.]

[narsheprincess]

[Terra slowly nods, deciding that it looks rather cute. She won't say this aloud, though, not wanting to offend.]

Yes, that's right. Do you have a moment? I have some questions, and even just a little of your time would help a lot.

[fayth]

( feeling only slightly better, laying around wasn't exactly an option. and this was seeming less and less like any resemblance to either the war or home. looking around, she lost track of where she was headed, bumping into... something softly and stepping back -- ) Ah, I'm sorry...

[lazyvassals]

[You seem to have bumped into a gargoyle Yuna! He almost looks like a statue... until he turns his head to look at her, somehow looking vaguely surprised.]

A human?

[fayth]

( well that explains why she didn't see it -- she's just going to blink at this phenomenon for a moment before continuing -- ) Um. I don't suppose you could tell me... what this place is?

[beautifulrondo]

[Among the small crowd of strangers stands one familiar, if confused face]

Odd... I don't remember deciding to visit here. [And there sure are a few humans in this mix. He hums to himself and after a moment's deliberation, starts toward the Gatekeeper]

Mademoiselle, is there any particular reason that I was summoned here? Ah, perhaps the young Overlord has finally awoken to the reality of moi's wonderful insight?

[lazyvassals]

I do not know why any of you are here. Something is wrong, but I don't know what.

[The usually unflappable gatekeeper is starting to sound like she's said this a lot.]

...I'm uncertain if the Prince is aware of the current situation.

[beautifulrondo]

I see... So it is no more than a broken gate. [does he sound disappointed? Of course not]

[wait] The Overlord is unaware? How long ago did this start?

[heartfulsong]

[Utau isn't even going to bother wasting her time on those monstrous creatures, so she simply decides to approach the gatekeeper. Her demeanour comes off as rather harsh; her face is stern and her eyes are cold as she approaches the blonde woman, staring up at her with the most intense gaze.]

You. Return me immediately.

[She's evidently displeased about her untimely arrival; and knowing her manager back at home, she's worrying sick about her absence.]

[lazyvassals]

[Despite the gatekeeper's eyes being closed, she turns her head as if to look at the girl, before shaking her head.]

I am sorry, but cannot do that at this time.

[heartfulsong]

...Hm.

[That's not the answer that she wanted to hear, but Utau doesn't let it bother her, instead skipping straight to her next set of questions.]

Then where am I, and why am I here? You ought to be able to answer that much, right?

[betraitorous]

[Betrayus doesn't so much step out of the gate, or even float out of it considering the lack of legs, as unceremoniously fall through and land on the ground face-first.
This is because just a moment ago he was asleep, and subsequently, was and still is holding a slightly strange-looking stuffed rabbit. However, suddenly hitting the floor does succeed in waking him up at least.]

Aghggh-- bwuh...?
What's the meaning of this?! Who DARES interrupt my--

[The ghost cuts himself off when he actually pays attention to what's in front of him and realizes...
WHO ARE ALL YOU PEOPLE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE
Wait.
Is this even my house??]

...

[He glances around, noticing this doesn't look like his throne room where he was sleeping, or his castle. Okay, maybe it does a little, but not really.
Well. This is odd.
Not going to figure anything out standing around confused though, so despite not recognizing anyone here, he might as well ask somebody for a hint.
It takes him a minute to decide who seems most approachable.]

[lazyvassals]

[Chilling in his usual place, not too far from the gate is a zombie. He's been pretending to sleep for quite awhile now. All these people with questions... Zommie really doesn't want to deal with them. But, well... this guy looks interesting and seems no one else is going to talk to him, so...]

Yo.

[betraitorous]

... Um, yes, greetings! I have several questions but let's start with "What region of the Netherworld is this?"

[Despite being in charge of it, the Netherworld (or rather his Netherworld) is pretty big, so there's many areas he hasn't ever actually been to. Though despite many unfamiliar creatures, from the general appearance of things he assumes he's still there, and in a way he's not entirely wrong.]

[bound_skyward]

[Though he perhaps should rest some more, Kain isn't one to sit still for long. So he gets up to explore, and search for answers. He's still convinced this is some other life, considering how he 'left' the war... He will keep looking around until he finds someone who seems to know what's going on.]

[lazyvassals]

[You might not find someone who knows what's going on, Kain, but hey. How about a ghost? Just to help you with that whole other life thing. He's floating on by, trying to figure out where would be a good hiding place to popcorn.gif from for when Laharl learns of what's going on.]

Hijinks ensue

[notquitedracula]

[So there he was, on the precipice of what was probably going to be the most dangerous hour of his entire life. The door was open, he was armed to the teeth and wearing armor that would stop a tank round point blank. Time to show chaos who's boss!

...and then he steps through the door, only to find himself in what looks suspiciously like a reception area. The effect is so jarring that he doesn't immediately notice he's in a room full of demons; probably a good thing, since his policy up to this point has been 'kill them before they can kill me'.

Stunned, he turns to the gatekeeper (not noticing her ears).]

...I... how... where... huh? What in the world's going on here?!

[lazyvassals]

[The Gatekeeper's usual calm is starting to crack, but she still manages to stay polite, despite.]

I cannot tell you beyond that the dimensional gate seems to have broken. My apologies, but I cannot send you back.

[It sounds like she's done this spiel quite a few times.]

[teabending]

[Well this is certainly something different. Iroh calmly looks around, trying to ascertain what has just happened and where he is. Unusual creatures here. They look like they might be spirits, though he cannot recall the Spirit World looking quite like this. He holds out a hand and generates the tiniest flame in his palm, and just as promptly extinguishes it. He still has his bending, so this cannot be the spirit world. Very unusual.

Without wasting another moment, he walks directly to the Gatekeeper and flashes her a winning smile. (Although he looks ragged as heck with straggly unkept hair and his prison clothes still on, winning combination there for a pickup line.)]

Pardon me, young lady. Could I trouble a beautiful flower for a little time?

[lazyvassals]

[The gatekeeper is a bit... taken aback. And by taken aback, that is more like lifts an eyebrow--a fair bit of reaction for her. Still, her eyes appear closed. This is different... she's been mostly snapped and yelled at.]

Most certainly...?