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]

I-It is not a game! This is serious! [he glances over his shoulder and then just bodily picks up Meredy, dashing behind a corner and setting her back down squarely on her feet]

Little girl, it is dangerous here! Have you not seen the monsters?

[melnics]

Seri-- Baiba! ( no time to address that, because here she was being picked up. quickie followed behind, ready to scratch at the man's legs if he tried anything -- but the creature relaxed, climbing back up and perching on the girl's shoulder with an irritated -- ) kwik kwik

Monsters? Hmm... ( was this another inferia - celestia thing? ) Nope! No monsters! Did you see? Were they not nice, maybe?

[musicalplum]

They're monsters! How could they possibly be nice!?

[he sighs and braces himself against the wall for a moment, one hand to his forehead] That even one as innocent as you have been brought to his hellish landscape...oh! It is too much!

[melnics]

( it seems his dramatics are lost on her as she just tilts her head to the side listening to him... ) Is this your house?

[musicalplum]

[what]

How could this possibly be my house?

[melnics]

Hmm... ( so that was a 'no' then ) Someone must live here -- ( and with that she just walks nonchalantly back into view from around the corner, back in plain sight. up shoots her arm -- ) Meredy will find out!

[musicalplum]

Ah! Aah, no, wait!

[he dashes out and firmly drags her back behind the corner]

You can't just -- this is a den of demons and monsters, Miss Meredy! You must exercise caution!

[melnics]

( dragged back to her original position, she just... looks at the man curiously -- ) Demons too? But maybe they are nice. How will Meredy know if we don't speak with them?

[musicalplum]

You don't need to talk to them! [jeez, this girl...he kneels in front of her, his expression pleading]

They are demons. They're the opposite of nice! It defines their very existence!

[melnics]

Oh... Well, then if you are scared, we should go together!

( she shoved a hand at him in greeting -- ) I'm Meredy! ( it doesn't matter if that was already obvious, apparently )

[musicalplum]

I-I am not scared! [his voice just cracked, pay it no mind. He looks down at her hand, flustered, but he sighs and smiles wearily. Taking her hand in his, he bows his head over it gallantly]

Lady Meredy. I am Troubadour, spirit of the plum tree and free god.

[melnics]

Trouba... dour. ( what an interesting name ) What does it mean, 'free god'? Does that mean Meredy does not have to pay?

[musicalplum]

[his cool demeanor cracks and his shoulders hunch for a moment, but he tries to recover] N-No! It merely means I am free to go where I want, do what I want. I have nothing to tie me down, and the horizon calls me ever onward.

[melnics]

Okay! ( she's just gonna grin and accept the explanation apparently, whatever you say, guy -- )

Um. Can you tell Meredy why we are in someone's castle?

[musicalplum]

Would that I could, Miss Meredy, but I am as lost on the subject as you. A being like me should not be trapped here, which only underscores the severity of the situation!

[melnics]

Sever-ity? But how do we know if it is serious if we do not find out by speaking with them?

If Meredy can find the one that lives here, maybe they can help us.