[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210311/cef7f0174d2fe77b652e412a4fa97c69.png[/img] [b]+[/b] [img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
Collab Word Count: 1952 (+3 EXP)
[b][color=A90000]Level:[/color][/b] 1 [b][color=A90000]Experience:[/color][/b] 10/10 (LVL+) [b]/[/b] [color=FFC6C6]Level: 3 - Total EXP: 32/30[/color]
[b]Location:[/b] Sandswept Sky - Sweet Canyon - Parnasse
[b][color=A90000][sup]A Collaboration With[/sup][/color][/b]
[@Dark Cloud] & [@Yankee][/center]
Unable to rest, Laharl simply watched the goings-on of those still awake into the wee hours of the night with vague interest while the darkness of the sky slowly brightened with the warm glow of the sun peaking upon the horizon. 

Yes he was definitely exhausted but still his mind was wracked with too many questions to allow himself even a moments rest, so he just sat idly by watching the townspeople going about as the day greeted them. A few others from the group he'd fought alongside were also waking. Laharl eyed the few that milled about the city center, still slightly annoyed from yesterdays events however even he needed to swallow some of his pride and ask just what the hell was going on.

[color=A90000][i]'These fools must know something,'[/i][/color] with a grunt he landed on the ground before the crumbling remains of the gingerbread house from which he had sat atop [color=A90000][i]'I'll make them eat this candy all around us if not!'[/i][/color] he couldn't help but cackle at the thought, unbeknownst that the candy may actually do something bad. And so in the early morning he walked around looking for someone he saw from the battle the night before.

He found one of them standing a little ways off from the rest of the group, casually taking in the surroundings with her arms crossed. It was the woman whose spell he'd foiled, the one in the red outfit. Laharl stood out among all the sweet buildings, and so she noticed him immediately. From beneath her hood Primrose cast her gaze up and down his form. In the daylight, it appeared he really was as small as she thought last night. He was even shorter than Tressa. She wondered if he was a child, or if it was just his species... after all, he didn't look [i]completely[/i] human, what with those pointed ears.

Either way he was probably lost and confused. Primrose had overheard some of the gossip about the others that had been trapped in the crystals - those that weren't already living in town more or less made off on their own. Not this one, though.

She waved to him, lifting one hand from where it rested on her arm and moving it a little. [color=A90000][i]'Hm? Agh! Uh, look like you didn't notice!'[/i][/color] the boy, making a fool of himself looked directly at the woman in red but proceeded to act like he hadn't noticed it although he definitely had. Casually walking up to her as he nearly tripped on his own cape, and stumbling momentarily [color=A90000]"Greeti-Agh!"[/color] he said before finally tumbling forward.

[color=D34C25]"Oh - "[/color] Primrose reached out to steady him, surprised by the sudden stumble. Maybe he really was a kid after all. [color=D34C25]"Alright there?"[/color] Laharl squeaked in response to the womans touch, despite how thankful he really was he simply flinched away with a bit of fear in his eyes that was soon masked over by his usual glare that probably looked anything but threatening to Primrose. [color=A90000]"Of c-course I'm alright why wouldn't I be alright? Alright?"[/color] that was redundant but he cared little, it was embarrassing enough he had stumbled on his stupid cape. 

Laharl crossed his arms defiantly and looked at Primrose closer, she kind of reminded him of Etna in a way which was strange as this lady was definitely not a demon like himself [color=A90000]"Hmph, s-sorry..."[/color] unexpectedly he sighed, looking less contemptible but also a twinge of pain made him scrunch up his face at the apology he made [color=A90000]"I am Laharl, Overlord of the Netherworld and the strongest demon in existence!"[/color] he introduced himself before Primrose could comment about the odd reaction he just had, and puffed up his chest trying to look tough and act like a total badass with his cool armroll. Very unimpressive to anyone watching but in his mind he believed it.

[i]Ah, so it's like that.[/i] Primrose took a step back, settling her weight on one leg. She pulled down her veil, and through her hood remained on from Laharl's perspective her full face was on display. Curly brown hair framed her visage. Conventionally, she was pretty. Attractive. She'd staked her trade on that when she arrived in the Sunlands years ago. A small mole below her lower lip brought her whole look together. She smiled at Laharl, kind - and not as performative an expression as it otherwise would have been. She had somewhat of a soft spot for children.

[color=D34C25]"Of course you are,"[/color] she said. If her tone wasn't so soft at the moment her words might have come off as demeaning. [color=D34C25]"My name is Primrose. It's nice to meet you."[/color] She nodded to him. She hadn't missed his aversion to being touched. That was something she sympathized with.

[color=D34C25]"Netherworld, hm? So not from around here."[/color] Intimating, was a more appropriate term for how Primrose looked in the young demons eyes and her tone didn't go unnoticed by Laharl yet however he found himself unable to raise his voice. 

He simply glowered at her with an irritated look on his face [color=A90000]"No I [i]am[/i] not from around here, [i]obviously[/i]."[/color] Laharl made a point of huffily raising his chin like a noble brat [color=A90000]"Are you?"[/color] he asked after a moment, it seemed obvious his noble act had little effect on Primrose and probably wouldn't make her want to divulge the information he wanted so he probably would need to change his tune. As it was now, she seemed more amused than anything.

[color=D34C25]"No,"[/color] she said, and left it at that for a few long moments. They stood in silence. Then the crook of Primrose's mouth turned up again and she asked of the young demon, [color=D34C25]"Do you have anywhere to go?"[/color] elicting a heavy sigh of exasperation from him in response [color=A90000]"No, I was [i]hoping[/i] you could assist me?"[/color] he said rather bluntly, tired of playing around and falling into one tirade after another [color=A90000]"You know as thanks for my assistance?"[/color]

[color=D34C25]"Your assistance,"[/color] the dancer repeated. She tilted her head as though she were considering whether or not to help Laharl out. She felt a little badly for him, a boy on his own who was clearly trying to put on a strong facade. Briefly, she looked towards where the rest of the group was mingling before she turned back and gave Laharl a proper answer.

[color=D34C25]"There is a safe place I know of, but I'm not sure how difficult the way back will be. As for our group, we are moving on. Ahead. We've picked up a handful of new people along the way, I'm sure another won't hurt..."[/color] She paused, drumming her fingers along her upper arms. If she had Laharl's personality pegged, then she should probably play along with his Overlord charade. [color=D34C25]"That is, if you care to lend us more of your [i]assistance.[/i] Who knows, we may very well need it."[/color] Laharl cracked a smile, [color=A90000][i]'At last! My greatness has finally been recognized!'[/i][/color] the demon boy looked quite proud with himself for being so great, it was stroked his ego and he was quite self-satisfied in his own awesomeness that he sort of got caught up in the moment [color=A90000]"UHAHAHA! Of course you'll need my assistance! I'm the strongest demon in existence!"[/color] he explained cockily to Primrose after laughing at the top of his lungs..

[color=D34C25]"So you are,"[/color] Primrose replied, the amused little smile still on her face. [color=D34C25]"Well, I can introduce you to the others if you like. If you have any questions I can do my best to answer."[/color] the boy simply scoffed in response [color=A90000]"I can introduce myself, but if your [i]that[/i] desperate then fine!"[/color] he said with a smug grin, shrugging at the question [color=A90000]"I want to know why I'm even here, I was with my vassals one moment but then nothing..."[/color] Laharl sounded frustrated and his brow furrowed, as nothing seemed to add up.

[color=D34C25]"That..."[/color] Primrose turned her stare from the demon's shining red eyes to the sky, where Galeem's light shone as a second sun. [color=D34C25]"I'm not sure if you will understand, but everyone was taken from their home worlds, and all of those worlds were mixed together."[/color] he followed her gaze and frowned [color=A90000]"You mean that my world...No longer exists?"[/color] Laharl knitted his brows and looked at Primrose with worry in his expression [color=A90000]"No, I was trying to claim my fathers throne! No this isn't fair! I had a job to do! Why?"[/color] he hollered with a distressed look in his eyes, Laharl's body language suggested a boiling rage that was slowly bubbling to the surface. He felt like everything he had done amounted to nothing and that he was without purpose now, believing it more than he had before.

Primrose stayed quiet, letting the young demon get his rage out. That she could understand as well. She had some unfinished business in her own world after all. Once his outburst was finished she gently followed up her statement. [color=D34C25]"We're all hoping that once that light, Galeem, is defeated that everything will go back to normal. That is the reason we're traveling, gathering allies and spirits, power."[/color]

[color=A90000][i]'Power...'[/i][/color] that was a concept the boy understood as it was the very thing his world revolved around as no weakling could rule the Netherworld and stay untouched, no strength was respected and regarded highly amongst the demonic hierarchy. Primrose mentioned a name too [i]Galeem[/i], that name sounded quite demonic however he had never heard of it. 

[color=A90000]"Your all...Working together to beat this [i]Galeem[/i]? Right? Weird..."[/color] he said mostly talking to himself, it wasn't something he generally was used to asides from having his vassals fight with him but maybe this was similar in a way [color=A90000]"What was that about spirits? Like ghosts?"[/color] Laharl played with the hem of his long scarf idly as he asked the question.

[color=D34C25]"Not exactly..."[/color] Primrose sighed, wondering how to go about an explanation of something she herself didn't know much about. She'd gotten all the same information as everyone else at the Alcamoth, and had learned much more experiencing everything first hand yesterday, but the details on [i]how[/i] everything worked eluded her. Still, she did her best to summarize. [color=D34C25]"Yesterday, when those metal creatures were destroyed, did you see those bright orbs their bodies left behind...? Those were their spirits. You can use them in various ways. Crushing them, bonding with them, fusing with them..."[/color]

As she spoke, Primrose demonstrated with her hands - she cupped them together and pressed in hard, then brought her palms up, one on her chest and the other her forehead. 

[color=D34C25]"I suppose each way has it's advantages, and disadvantages."[/color] She didn't elaborate anymore than that, after all Laharl was still "Gleaming," and he didn't appear weak enough to be freed just yet. Even if she'd wanted to, it looked like while she and the demon were speaking a lot more of their group showed up in the town's center. Now that nearly everyone was present, it seemed it was almost time to get going. The dancer gestured towards the others.

[color=D34C25]"Seems we will be heading out soon."[/color] but he stood there for a moment in silence, his red eyes looking at those gathered in the square. His eyes were narrowed as he watched them, but after a second he nodded his head slightly acknowledging her comment finally [color=A90000]"I'll be coming with you, but [i]only[/i] you Primrose. You will make an excellent fri-Vassal!"[/color] the boy coughed into his fist, aware that he almost called her a friend and therefore had to make a fool of himself by childishly playing it off [color=A90000]"Yes an excellent vassal! But never mind that, let's go!"[/color] he pumped a fist into the air, and excitedly exclaimed. Primrose suppressed a chuckle. Even when she abandoned her life as a noblewoman no one had tried making her into a "vassal." She could foresee some personality clashes  going forward, but they'd cross that bridge when they got to it.[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/4DgO1VH.png[/img]
[color=FFC6C6]Word Count: 902 (+2 exp)
[u]Level[/u]: [b]4[/b] - [u]Total EXP[/u]: 4/40
[b]Location[/b]: Sandswept Sky[/color]
[color=gray]𝙱𝙿[/color] [color=gold]●[/color][color=gray]●●●●[/color]
[hider=LEVELED UP!]New Power: [b]Sealticge's Seduction.[/b] A particularly enticing display. When used on herself or a single ally, active skills used by them that usually target one foe or ally will affect all foes or allies instead. This can apply to damage spells, debuffs, buffs, or healing. It does not apply to talents, passive skills or items.
***[/hider][/center]
True to her word, Primrose led Laharl to the group and introduced him as "Overlord of the Netherworld," knowing the title would make the demon chuffed. Although most of the Yellow Team still couldn't say that they knew the dancer very well, she was positively radiating with amusement, making it plain to see that she seemed to be playing along with some game. She noticed that another new face was among the crowd, one that seemed closer to Fox in appearance than anyone else. The size of their group was a little unwieldy, but with so many different abilities and expertise it also made them a force to be reckoned with.

Strangers joining them wasn't an uncommon experience, given how often it happened in just a couple of days, but being greeted by a royal entourage was. Apparently this princess only ruled over the land of sweets though, and they still had farther to go before they encountered who (or what) they were really looking for.

[i]Al Mamoon... Cowlipha... don't tell me we will end up in a milk and dairy land...[/i] The dancer near shuddered at the thought. She'd had quite her fill with the candy already. 

They left Parnasse. Primrose didn't completely follow the brief conversation Tora had with the Neopet, but she gathered that they'd be traveling on the vehicle that was meant for the rail they followed into the sweet canyon in the first place. She'd thought perhaps it would look similar to Mona's wheeled form, but to no one's surprise it was cute, fragrant, and decorated with sweets. Thankfully, these treats seemed like replicas, and not the real deal. Also thankfully, the train was large enough to fit the lot of them, but only just. 

Primrose walked along the length of the locomotive before she decided on the third car. Maybe that giant fruit statue could provide some shade for when the sun rose a little higher. She stood in front of the car, looking up at it for a few moments. Behind her, Braum cleared his throat.

"Need a lift?"

She flicked her gaze at him, from impressive mustache to the huge gaudy belt. [color=D34C25]"No, thank you."[/color]

"Come now, it will take no time at all to give you a boost with this!" He laughed and presented the giant shield we carried with him, the same one he'd used to defend her last night. He did have a point, too. Primrose gestured for him to bring the shield to bear and he did. She jogged towards him and hopped up towards the shield, and with his might Braum pushed it and sent the dancer up into the air. It was more force than Primrose expected, but she was a professional - and after a split second panic while airborne she landed cleanly beside the giant kiwi.

"See? That wasn't so bad."

Primrose clicked her tongue, but she nodded a thank you to Braum and waved him off to wherever he was going, probably to help others climb aboard. She settled down, sitting close to one of the cream dollops with her back against the fruit and her legs stretched out in front of her. When the train began to move she braced herself, but the ride was relatively smooth. It remained smooth for a long time, as the sweet canyon gradually changed back into the sand of a normal desert. The patch job Galeem had done with the worlds left a lot to be desired, if the Lord of Light saw fit to drop that kind of place right in the middle of the Sandswept Sky. 

Primrose leaned her head back against the kiwi. Her hood and veil were in place again, and she let her eyes slip closed as she fell into her thoughts like she often did. She recalled that Ophilia might call it meditating. The young cleric often did the same, praying to Aelfric for a safe journey. Many of her companions weren't the praying type, Primrose among them, but whenever she indulged Ophilia she did feel a little better for it. 

[i]Aelfric... Sealticge, Lady of Grace... who even knows if you are out there. If you are, grant me some of my power back. I will need it for the journey ahead.[/i] She wanted to get back to where she came from and finish what she started, but she knew it would be a long road before then. First though, she wanted to make sure that she could follow that road and make it out alive. If possible, with everyone else as well. The first to come to mind were the younger ones. Primrose blinked her eyes open and lifted her head. At some point the Phantom Thieves had donned their casual outfits again, and every since earlier Laharl had been hovering close by. She turned her head, seeing Tora and Poppi on the car in front of her, joined by a few others. The rest were on the car behind, all relaxing or chatting. Things felt calm, despite Primrose's more serious thoughts.

A particularly hot wind blew in front the front of the train. Primrose lifted a hand to her hood, keeping it in place while the air whipped her hair and clothes. She felt a warmth settle somewhere in the back of her mind and knew that she'd remembered something that could help them all once they got to their destination.