[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

[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.