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]

[oh, he's so glad you asked. He draws himself up to his full height, tossing his ponytail off his shoulder and posing elegantly]

I am a god, my lady. Few mortals are lucky enough to gaze upon me, and those who do will recall the name "Troubadour" for the rest of their lives! I am the Spirit of the Plum Tree and a traveler, adventurer...

[he pulls out his harp and strums some very lovely chords] ...and bard.

[wannabesaint]

[And our young maiden stops and stares at the god, so stunned that not even a word can escape her mouth... until a few seconds later, when the stupor stops and...]

... am I supposed to believe that?

[musicalplum]

...

Y-Yes? I mean, it isn't a lie! It is the truth!

[wannabesaint]

Yeah well, I'm Sister Priere, and I never heard of you.

[Granted, she kinda slept through most of her classes... But yeah, pretty damn sure she never heard of a God of the Plum Trees or whatever. Seriously...]

[musicalplum]

Sister? What does having siblings have to do with hearing about gods?

[wannabesaint]

...

I live in a church, moron!

[musicalplum]

Church, church... [he folds his arms and lifts one hand to his chin, considering for a moment, before the lightbulb goes on and he hits his palm with a fist]

Oh! Those buildings you humans build to worship! Ha ha, no, my lady, I'm not one of those gods!

[wannabesaint]

[You mean the type of gods she can totally call down to smite your butt with? Because right now, Priere is looking more and more impatient.]

Oh, and what kind of god are you then?

[musicalplum]

[yes, that type]

A free god, Sister Priere! Beholden to no one, traveling wherever I please, always chasing after a dream...

[his self-impressed expression shifts to one of complete depression] Only now I am trapped her, surrounded by mortals and demons! It's all terribly wrong!

[wannabesaint]

[Right. A free god. Yeah, not buying this one bit.]

Well, sorry for being a mortal!

If you're a god, why can't you just magic your way out of here, anyway?

[musicalplum]

I have tried to do just that, but something is preventing me! There has been no contact from Heaven, either...ah, when I think of being stuck here without them even noticing...!

[his hands go to his head as he moans dramatically]

[wannabesaint]

[... she can't imagine why, really.]

You're already going to give up and start complaining just for that?

Are you a god or a wimp?!

[musicalplum]

I-I didn't say I was giving up! [goodness, she does know how to strike at a man's pride]

[wannabesaint]

[It's what she does.]

Then get out there and do your god thing!

1/2

[musicalplum]

YES!

2/2

[musicalplum]

...er. What "god thing" might you be referring to?

[wannabesaint]

...

How should I know?!

You're the one who keep calling himself a god!

[musicalplum]

Because I am one, of course. That hardly means I am some omnipotent, omnipresent being that can simply exert my will into reality! There are procedures! Paperwork!

[wannabesaint]

Paperwork!? THAT'S your excuse?

[She's torn. On one hand, that is the stupidest reason ever and proof that you're full of shit. On the other hand... it honestly wouldn't surprise her if Gods had paperwork...]

[musicalplum]

It is not an excuse! It simply is the way it is! M-My....my rank isn't high enough. I am a, er...minor god. As it were.

[wannabesaint]

Oh...

[... well that explains a lot, really. Assuming you really ARE a god, that is.]

Umm... sorry about that?

[musicalplum]

[yeah, so is he, but he recovers his composure quickly enough]

We have strayed off topic! The way may be blocked to me now, but I have no intention of allowing it to stat that way for long. Whatever Overlord runs this place will soon be made to see reason!

[wannabesaint]

Right! All we have to do is kick his butt and we'll be right back home for dinner.

[musicalplum]

YES! Ah...but...

Are you sure you should do that, Sister Priere? You are human and mortal, after all. Will your very life not be at risk?

[wannabesaint]

I'm the best demon hunter of La Pucelle. I deal with demons almost every day! How hard can an Overlord be?