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]

A curse? How unfortunate? And do you know how to break this adorable curse?

[something_or_other]

[Must not cause a scene. Must not cause a scene. Must not cause a scene.

Causing a scene.]

Do you have a brain at all? If I did know how, do you think I'd still have these stupid things?! We've been trying to find a way but nothing's worked! ["We" being Bunny herself and recently-crowned Fairy Lord Chelsea Mamanaju.] It's annoying as hell trying to deal with them because they don't do anything and I can't get rid of them, and then someone always has to come along and say something stupid about them! [Like calling them cute. Or asking her what she's supposed to be. Or both.]

[musicalplum]

Hmm, I see. That such an innocent young flower has been saddled with such a ridiculous fate is nearly tragic!

[he kneels before her, taking her hand in both of his] Fear not, bunny girl! I shall find a way to break your cute curse!

[something_or_other]

[Normally she would at least briefly consider offers to actually help her with it, but Troubadour's really accomplishing little more than pissing her off with...is that mockery? She's pretty sure that's mockery. Either that or he just doesn't know when or even how to shut up, which may arguably be worse.

So she jerks her arm away with barely even a moment's notice.]

Back off, I'm not asking for your help!

[musicalplum]

[his impenetrable wall of idiocy allows him to carry on, despite her tearing her hand away]

Ah, but you need not ask! Such is the generosity of my heart!

[something_or_other]

[So he doesn't know how to shut up. Wonderful. At this rate she's likely to try gagging him with the most painful thing she can think of.]

Well, I'm rejecting the offer, then! What the hell would you do anyway, compliment them until they got fed up with it and disappeared?

[musicalplum]

They? Is it some evil fiend that has cursed you, then? You know who it is? Why didn't you say so earlier?

[he grabs for her hand again]

Come, we shall make them take this curse off you at once!

[something_or_other]

The ears, dammit! [Because she's calling it now: the only thing he would even do is keep calling them cute and adorable. Which maybe they are. And she doesn't care about that.

She pulls back again, this time before he can make contact.] And "back off" means back off, or do I need to make you cut it out?!

[musicalplum]

...oh.

[he rubs his chin thoughtfully]

So, if I am to understand you, you...don't want my help?

[something_or_other]

[Since it looks like he's getting the idea now, she starts calming back down just a little bit. Still clearly very, very annoyed, though.]

Now you're catching on. It only took you twelve minutes and thirty-two seconds. [That's. Um. Awfully specific there.]

[musicalplum]

But...why not?

[something_or_other]

Because first impressions go a long way, bucko. [Yeah, Troubie, you kind of uh. Annoyed the shit out of her there. And she still feels like you were mocking her, even if you didn't mean to.]

[musicalplum]

Are you saying you would rather stay cursed than accept help from a well-meaning, handsome, mysterious stranger?

[something_or_other]

[Bunny's just going to let her expression speak for itself.

She still wants to be rid of the cat-curse, but like hell is she going to accept help from a mysterious stranger who came within moments of having a flail shoved into his mouth like a ball gag.]

[musicalplum]

This curse is more serious than I even imagined! It has so poorly affected your judgement!

[something_or_other]

[She feels like she's getting nowhere here.]

My judgment is fine, you moron! Seriously! Who in their right mind would accept help from some idiot they don't even know?!

[musicalplum]

I would! Surely such an offer would open the door to a lasting friendship!

[something_or_other]

With a guy that's been poking fun at my ears? Are you kidding me?!

[musicalplum]

Poking fun? When did I do that?

[something_or_other]

[By some miracle or another, that question makes her pause for a moment. Did he actually not realize that what he'd been saying was bothering her?

...

Nah, he's probably just playing dumb.]

Don't pull that crap with me!

[musicalplum]

But I do not understand! I would never make fun of you, especially for something you cannot help.