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

[narsheprincess]

[The shriek prompts Terra to stumble back, assuming her own defensive posture. When he speaks without shrieking again, she straightens a little, still on edge from that but not about to attack.]

Oh. But...I noticed you because of all that. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to blow your, um, cover.

[musicalplum]

[he snaps out of his daze and squares his shoulders, clearing his throat] ...it seems my divine aura is simply too magnificent to hide. You have nothing to apologize for, my lady.

[he bows smoothly, giving her a charming smile] Would I be correct in assuming you too have been brought here against your will?

[narsheprincess]

[Terra nods, resting her hand against the wall and trying not to look like she needs the support.]

I wasn't awake when it happened, but yes. This isn't where I'm supposed to be.

...and I did sense some kind of power from you. I wasn't going to say anything but since you did, it was noticeable. To me, anyway.

[But she's not a demon or whatever other creatures that exist here, so who knows what they sense?]

[musicalplum]

[he hasn't yet noticed that she's not feeling too well, but give him a bit]

You are perceptive as you are lovely. May I ask your name, miss? I am Troubadour, the spirit of the plum tree.

[narsheprincess]

[She hesitates a moment, uncertain how how much to share with him, but he's not a warrior of Chaos or Cosmos. As far as she can tell, there's no real reason for him to bring her any harm. That's not a guarantee, of course, but she'll go with it for now, in hopes of finding out more.]

My name is Terra Branford.

I didn't know plum trees had spirits...or any plants, for that matter.

[musicalplum]

Ah! It is a title bestowed upon me, for I am a free god, and the world is my traveling post!

[he snaps out of his self-aggrandizing to sigh despondently] Or...I was a free god. Tell me, Miss Branford, have you heard of any way we might return to our homes?

[narsheprincess]

A free god?

[Less doubtful and more curious, as he's like neither god she's met so far. She shakes her head at the question, her expression both frustrated and apologetic.]

The Gatekeeper said that something was wrong with the gate, but she doesn't know what, or why we're here. I was also told to find Prince Laharl, but I haven't done so yet.

[Debating if that's a good idea and also gathering the energy/courage to do so.]

[musicalplum]

Prince Laharl? What a regal name! Anyone who is a prince will surely lend a sympathetic ear, and perhaps even aid us in retribution against the evil Overlord!

[narsheprincess]

[She doesn't look quite as optimistic, but that's because....]

I hope so, but I was told he was...lazy.

[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.