[Action]

[makainoou]

[Sometimes it's easy to get away with slacking on the job, when the Overlord himself is basically a slacker.

Other times, not so much.

It's time to look sharp, people. Laharl is up and about the castle today, and if he spots any of his vassals lazing around, he's going to yell at them at best--at worst there is going to be a lot of fire. And if you aren't one of his vassals? Well, he might have forgotten that. There's got to be something you should be doing.

The reason for the bad mood? Well...]

Where is she already?

[There's one vassal in particular who's beyond just slacking off, because he hasn't seen her since all this nonsense started.]

Comments

[nerveball]

[Stella's busy in the kitchen when Laharl passes by, all but grumbling to himself. While she is working, though, that doesn't mean there won't be fire; while he walks past, he can most likely hear and perhaps even smell something burning, though not to the point that there's something obviously wrong, and definitely nowhere near as bad as the last few explosions the Galaxy Mage had been responsible for. Which, notably, she had willingly(!) cleaned up her messes.

There had also been recent claims and complaints of the girl bringing her own silly ideas to work. Really, using Fire, Wind, and Ice to try to make things easier... While it might be plausible if done right, it sounded ridiculous.

But when she does hear him out there, she stops and briefly excuses herself to see what's going on. Her coworkers may or may not be taking the opportunity to sabotage the cake she's working on.]

U-um, are you looking for someone?

[makainoou]

[Laharl's heard a few of the complaints about her, but considering the cooking staff is primarily made up of prinnies, he hasn't paid them too much attention. Complaining is just something prinnies do. As long as he gets his meals, it can't be important.

He does look distinctly displeased at her stepping aside to address him, though.]

That's no concern of yours. Don't you have work to do?

[nerveball]

[She does recoil slightly at the look she gets, but quickly composes herself—as well as she can, anyway. Never going to not be at least a little nervous.]

I'm just finishing up, at this point. [Which is true. More or less. That cake is almost ready; all it needs now is some time to cool down a bit, and she's not taking a chance with Ice or Wind this time, because she doesn't need a frozen cake or to risk throwing it into the nearest wall. That is, however, assuming nobody does anything to it with her not looking.

She's about to say something else, but stops herself when she hears a "who left a cake in here, dood?" from somewhere behind her.]

A-ah, that's—that's probably my cue. [Time to go shoo some prinnies away from her cake. She turns and rushes back in, and within moments can be heard telling them to leave it alone.]

[makainoou]

Finishing up with what? [Isn't she supposed to be working basically all the time? Laharl is not grasping the concept that his vassals might have shifts or breaks at the moment.

Pinged by the word "cake," he actually follows her back into the kitchen, which may help subdue the prinnies. At least a few of them would much rather back away and sneak out the other door than remain to dispute the cake.]

Is this your handiwork?

[nerveball]

[She'd probably actually do so willingly if she didn't have other activities on the side or the need to eat and sleep for herself, since she's found that aside from the way those prinnies act with her, she actually kind of likes it.

When she gets back to her corner—and is briefly confused by some of those same prinnies scurrying off—she pauses. He actually followed her?]

U-um...yes.

[While it doesn't look like a disaster, it's nothing truly excessive either; a moderately-sized white cake with melted chocolate drizzled all over it. She didn't want to go for something too big this early, since something bigger also means something with more chances to screw up.

The last one she had made without it exploding on her had been intended for a surprise delivery not long ago—an errand that she'd been sent on to keep her out of the kitchen for awhile—but she hadn't been able to find the person it was for and then those prinnies had later gotten into it like it was theirs. This one was intended to be a replacement for that.]

If you want you can just take it now. It—it was going to be yours anyway.

[makainoou]

I don't remember ordering a cake.

[Laharl eyes it suspiciously. It looks pretty plain, but--he leans in to give it a sniff--it does smell tasty. But why would she just randomly bake him a cake?]

Are you trying to poison me?

[trademark_skull]

[And here someone trying to stay away at all attempts possible, even if Laharl is in a good mood for once (if that's ever happened.)]

[makainoou]

[He has good moods! ...occasionally. Usually they come after beating people up.

He spots Emizel and narrows his eyes at him. Has he seen this kid doing anything around his castle besides get himself taken hostage?]

Oi, you! Why aren't you working?

[trademark_skull]

[Just getting items, weapons, and other things for his nice little pad outside the castle. Why you ask?]

Why should I be working?

[makainoou]

Because there are rules around here, and I don't allow freeloading.

[trademark_skull]

I'm not even staying in your castle.

[makainoou]

Then why do I keep seeing you around?

I hate liiiiife

[trademark_skull]

Where else am I supposed to buy everything?

>_>

[makainoou]

You don't.

You beat someone up and take it from them.

;~;

[trademark_skull]

Seriously? Most of that stuff is worthless.

[makainoou]

So what are you using to pay for everything around here? You bring some family fortune with you?

[Maybe he should follow his own suggestion...]

[trademark_skull]

[Well it's not like he hasn't been murdering things outside, in true RPG fashion]

Why do you even care?

[makainoou]

Because if you aren't one of my vassals, then anything you have is fair game.

[Not that... he won't also steal from his vassals. He might do it less?]

...Whoops, forgot about this.

[trademark_skull]

[Oh hell nah. He's earned that stuff fair and square.]

I ain't giving you anything!

oh hi

[makainoou]

I never expected you to hand it over willingly.

Re: oh hi

[trademark_skull]

[Then he won't have to say anything, just make sure his staff was ready....j-just in case.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

Scarves are ready.

[Pidonus, presumably, is not who Laharl is looking for, sadly. However, she did just... Sort of appear in one wing of the throne room. Quickly, she remembers to shift her form to more reasonable proportions.]

[makainoou]

Huh? What scarves?

[Why is she bothering him with this nonsensical statement?

Considerate of her to change though. Not that he really noticed, but good job.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

... So these scarves I just washed aren't yours?

[Pidonus blinks a couple of times. She was totally certain...]

[makainoou]

[Guess who forgot she was on laundry duty.

Not that her bringing it up is any more relevant because--]

Of course not. I never take this off.

[have_hat_will_travel]

... Huh. Makes me wonder where they did come from, then.

Odd.

[makainoou]

Hmph. Some of my vassals must be trying to emulate me.

[Totally the only legit reason to wear a scarf, right?]

[have_hat_will_travel]

Or... Something like that.

[The tone doubts Laharl's guess.]

These ones don't have wire or anything for doing the whole stand-up thingy. I mean I could use Animate Rope, but...

[makainoou]

You think I'm using wire?

[His scarf bristles.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

N-no, I'm saying others would have to do so to make it work.

[Bluff check bluff check bluff check bluff check BLUFF CHECK!!!!]

[makainoou]

Hmm... [He eyes her skeptically.] Not that anything they could do could come anywhere close to looking this good.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Right. Right.

[... Passed? Whew.]

[makainoou]

[Laharl folds his arms. She's not out of the woods yet.]

You don't seem real enthusiastic about that. You don't think my scarf is awesome?

[have_hat_will_travel]

Consider how I dress.

My views of fashion are probably not the best measure of Netherworld norms.

[... Bluffing again. She kinda thinks it odd to go around with only a scarf and no shirt... Like the outfit's somehow incomplete.]

[makainoou]

Who cares about norms? The point is to look badass.

[Which he really thinks he does okay. A shirt is like an impediment to badassery.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

... I dunno, I guess my own kind are used to more classical symbols of foreboding. Spikes and such.

[makainoou]

I can make it spiky.

[have_hat_will_travel]

Can you make it iron and covered in blood?

That's more the norm among devils.

[makainoou]

It's probably already got blood on it. Hard to tell.

[It being red and all. He actually sniffs it to check.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

... Er, do you need me to wash it?

[makainoou]

No way! I already told you, I don't take it off.

[have_hat_will_travel]

... Even when you wash yourself off?

[makainoou]

Like I do that very often.

[Welcome to Netherworld standards of cleanliness.]

[have_hat_will_travel]

Why not? A bath can be quite relaxing.

[makainoou]

[Laharl makes a face.]

Sleep is relaxing. Bathing just means getting clean.

[have_hat_will_travel]

I wouldn't know, I don't need sleep.

[makainoou]

You don't even sleep for fun?

[Wait. Why should he encourage that?]

So that means you can be working 24-7.

[have_hat_will_travel]

No, but I use the time that'd go to it to explore and know this place, that I might do my job better.

[Glib cover.]

Which means I still get more done than most of your vassals.