trans_9 | In Which Zetta Monopolizes the Sensoriums

There's someone seated even higher than Zetta, a certain little shadow-walking vampire who's now perched on the back of his throne, grinning down at the book.

"Strikingly attractive? Maybe to all the lady dictionaries. Was the rest of that speech all delusional rot, too?"

"Hyaa ha ha ha! Like I haven't heard all the book jokes a thousand times!" The tome sort of tipped-back to look up at the nosferatu puppet master. "I've had better days in the looks department, I'll admit."

What the--?

This girl wasn't just some random scrub. He'd known weaker Overlords! Star Lord Valvoga probably couldn't handle her. (Was that a fair comparison?) And she...

...sort of looked like Pram. Huh.

Well, if Zetta was startled, it was the suddenly-appearing nature of this power, not the fact that it existed. If he was here, why shouldn't other reasonably powerful beings also be?

"So you don't have the ability to check status screens," Zetta said, "or you wouldn't need to ask that. Heh, fair enough, you're not a demon. Where have YOU been hiding all this time?"

What did that even-? Seriously? He was literally from some video-game hell or something? That was sort of messed up, but Evangeline was far too old to surprise easily, even at such outrageous ideas.

"If you're a proper final boss all your stats will come up question marks, anyway," Evangeline opined. She was quite sure this would be true of herself; it was only fitting.

"I've got a villa out in the city," she said, by which she meant that she was squatting on a choice bit of semihistorical architecture. And a diorama sphere she was working on when she felt like it, but there wasn't a lot of impetus when the city was so empty. "And I haven't seen you before either, who says I'm the one hiding?"

"I'm not a final boss! That's Star Lord Valvoga," Zetta said dismissively. "That's the role they usually end up with anyway." It's good to know Zetta and Eva can communicate effectively, right? "Besides, we all have a four-digit level cap and eight-digit stat caps, so they display in their full glory just to let people know how screwed they are."

"As for hiding, I don't know how." Hoboy, was that true. The closest he came was not broadcasting his mana power constantly, but since doing so took a minor amount of exertion, that's really a feat along the lines of a bodybuilder not constantly flexing. "I'm surprised I haven't seen you," he continued, not really meaning with eyesight. "I've got a plaza in the city as well. It's not like home --" Zetta cast a critical eye at the simulation he'd conjured for this spectacle -- "but faking it is kind of disgusting too, so it passes."

Konoka, having heard Zetta's call, had been fretting about Setsuna ever since she heard of their issues with the alien planet. However, she really had to get her mind off these things!

So she entered the spooky, grand palace, instantly reminded of an rpg she played some time ago. But lo and behold, the person she saw wasn't just Zetta... "Eva-chan?"

"Then they just know exactly how much they have to level to beat you. You can't outlevel a bunch of question marks. Nothing like having a fight drag on for hours and they don't even know whether they've scratched you yet." Unlike Zetta, for whom life was actually video game-like, Evangeline was mixing distinct experiences in JRPGs and actually trashing groups of would-be heroes, which in its own way made the comparison even stranger.

"Yeah, well, sometimes small is okay," she said when the conversation shifted to living spaces. "As long as it's comfortable and out-of-the-way. But a castle is an easy way to tell all the wannabes that they're out of their league-"

"Oh, hey, if it isn't Konoka." Evangeline hardly missed a beat when the girl stumbled in. "You fall for this guy's big speech?"

"Level all they want, I'm still the most badass freakin' Overlord in the cosmos. Besides. long fights are boring. I prefer the utter dismay that comes from a quick curb-stomp." Zetta said. "And every Overlord needs a castle. It's actually a requirement. Right in the job description, second paragraph, under 'evil'. Usually comes with the position, though. One of those, 'you beat the owner, you inherit' deals.

"Oh, hello, Konoka." Zetta actually sounds a little pleased to see the girl. He didn't seem to find the two girls knowing each other the least bit odd. "Konoka's one of my minions," he added by way of explanation to Evangeline. "I'm not sure why all the skepticism, though. Just because I reached the top of the heap through my own personal mana power and awesomeness doesn't mean I don't know what's what in group tactics. And I'm stuck using them anyway." He at least seemed more annoyed than depressed over the fact that he was a book.

"Fall for it?" Konoka blinked at Evangeline. However, she quickly dismissed that as Evangeline's normal noble demon attitude and went back to the tome Overlord. "Well, he knows what he's doing, and kinda reminds me of Rakan-han, so I don't think he's bad."

She went to Zetta. "We practice this sort of thing back at home, but strategy can't hurt at all! Also, I still haven't joined medical bay, so I need to help this ship somehow."

Zetta quirked an eyebrow. "Rakan? What's that?"

"And she is one of my White Wings. Not that I won't share," Evangeline said with a smirk, though the statement had certainly sounded possessive enough.

"Rakan?" She'd known the boy had met him but she hadn't figured Konoka would be so familiar. "...yeah, I can see it." She looked if anything a little disturbed to realize how apt a comparison it was.

"He's an old-world mercenary," she said for Zetta's benefit. "Stupid, loud..." she grinned, again for Zetta, "But he is one of the best fighters in the business. World-class skill, broad experience, amazing spiritual power, and he's the most cunning kind of lowdown dirty cheater."

The traits were ticked of clinically, and only the last was said with something like real admiration, and another of her trademark grins.

"You wouldn't want to learn tactics from him, though. All he'd teach you is how to block things with your face. But teaching time is teaching time, I'll leave you two to it."

The little vampires stood on her perch atop Zetta's throne and with one last superior smirk, vanished.

[ooc: As I am gone for the weekend.]

"What's wrong with that tactic?" Zetta said to himself. "Block something with your face and you've just made it clear: you're so badass that their best shot at a weak area can't hurt. Cheating's no good, though. Winning with laughable, overwhelming power is the best way to go! Hyaa ha ha ha -- wait." Zetta appeared to have processed something a little late. "Stupid?! I'm not --"

She's gone, Zetta. Don't make it worse.

"...Heh. I should remember to track her down at some point. She's worth knowing."

Well, with Evangeline gone, he turned his attention back to Konoka. "So you're in a group too, huh?"

"I can't block things with my face, though," Konoka remarked almost quietly as Evangeline left. However, the vampire smirked and fled, even ignoring her "Wait!"

Ah well. She turned to Zetta. "Ah, yeah! I'm part of Ala Alba. From them, there's me, Negi-kun, Asuna, and Secchan!" She listed them off. "Eva-chan trained us before we showed up here."

"Huh. This teamwork things seems popular." Not sure what to make of that, the Overlord settled on making use OF it. "Tell me about your team. It'll help me with the lesson... such as it is."

The book glanced pointedly around at the castle very much not teeming with people.

As promised Nanashi showed up-and showed off. She moved just below speeds that would break the sound barrier, as was coustom when sneaking up to someone. Of course, she wasn't entirely sure if Zetta's eyes could follow that speed, so she approached head on in a way that could easily be brushed of as merely purposeful.

She summoned her own throne beside Zetta's. It was a great large stone throne, with two dragons framing the back cushion while their serpintine tails acted as arm rests. The seat cushion was supported by the boughs of such intricately carved trees that each individual leaf was detailed. Nanashi curled into the throne, her feet bare and her legs tucked beneath her.

You never wore your shoes in your home, let alone on your throne. That was inviting war into what was supposed to be the stronghold.

Of course, she summoned her own throne just to bother Zetta. It was so much fun.

That would explain her smile as she repeated her sentiment from over the comms, "I expect you to not waste my time, little one."

"Huh," Zetta said, a moment after the display ended. "You must be feeling frisky today."

The throne-thing didn't bother him at all. This wasn't his Overlord's castle, just a cheap simulated knock-off. He had no pride in it; he'd only crafted it for the sake of theatrics, after all.

"I'm a little surprised, though. I figured your fighting tactics, discussions on political subtlety aside, to be more like mine. Crush 'em with your own strength! Anyway, you want to wait for more people to show, or did you want a private class?"

"Hahaha, I am not truly here to learn tactics, but to learn more of your methods. I do not have a particular methodology. I use whatever will be the most effective in that particular situation. I aim to use every resource to it's maximum potential."

She was a little disappointed that her antics didn't bother Zetta at all, but at least it meant she got to sit comfortably.

"And I intend to increase some potentials." Zetta grinned, ever-so-confident. "Looks like the biggest problem we have right now is a lot of reasonably capable people used to working on their own. And now they're sad it didn't go better. So, I'll teach 'em to make it go better."

Nanashi began laughing hysterically. She finally managed to wipe away some tears and take a breath. "Where were you during the last election? That was among the things I proposed! It will take some time to truly get the crew working in cohesive groups."

"Believe me, I'm not even sure where I was." Zetta said, sounding a little disturbed to even think about it. Let's just not go there. He cleared his throat quite deliberately. "It'd be great if we could get everyone working in established groups, but that whole bomb thing showed that people could get thrown together just at random. I ended up with a dragon and a blue thing. Still, there's one skill in any situation that's best to have in a group."

Nanashi raised her eyebrow, "Oh? and that might be?"

She was expecting some overly corny response, but there was the chance that it would be something perfectly senseable. Maybe even something she could use.

Well, if he was offering information, she would gladly take it.

The book grinned broadly. "You want the whole deal? You gotta stay for the lesson, then. But I'll tell you the quick version, and maybe it'll help you decide if you want to.

"The most important skill, when you're in a group, is..." Zetta paused, dramatically. "...knowing what the people fighting on your side can do."

Nanashi covered her face with her hand, tilting her head back. Really? Really?

"Zetta," she groaned, "I learned that before I even turned four. Not four hundred. Four. If that is the sort of information you will be discussing, then I will stay. It will be much like watching the jesters act the wise men back home."

As if Zetta is about to be bothered by this. "Good. You know. Doesn't mean other people do. I'd be willing to bet that most people'd put more emphasis on knowing what your enemy can do than your friends, if you asked them."

Nanashi shrugged, "Fools will be fools. It is the false friend who is the greatest enemy."

That was one lesson etched into her very being.

The book raised one eyebrow.

"Do you have any real friends?"

It's a serious question. Zetta, were he asked the same thing, would say 'no', so it's hardly prejudicial.

Nanashi considered this for a moment, if only to determine if children could be considered friends.

They could not.

"No. I only have my children, and now, not even those."

It was sad, yes, but she showed no emotion over it. Her smile from laughing at Zetta just moments ago was all that lingered.

"I suppose it would be hard to have friends with an every-man-for-himself philosophy," Zetta said, without any particular inflection in the tone. "On the other hand... Your children were lost because of the Ohm, right?"

Nanashi nodded, "Vampire children are still able to be killed through common mortal means. I tried protecting them. I was holding my Ritusuki-chan in my arms when she..." She shook her head sadly, not wanting to finish, "Stacy took me from the battle moments later. The Angels used the confusion to strike our city itself, after the Ohm broke through into the stronghold."

Having no friends or true family, it was little surprise that she had been among her children at that point.

Zetta gave Nanashi a moment for composure, which he covered for by acting like he was trying to think. Demons actually had more filial affection than anyone might suspect -- including the demons themselves, who were as a rule spectacularly bad at owning up to it.

"When we wish things back," Zetta finally said, "I'll make sure the wish puts you back at a time early enough to make sure they survive."

Nanashi looked up, honestly surprised. It wasn't that she really completely believed that the return to normalcy would be because of him, but that he would have such a thought.

She gave him one of her rare small, genuine smile. ONe untouched my anything cruel or mocking, or forced for the sake of appearances. "Thank you, Zetta. Once we wipe the Ohm from existence, the Angels will never be able to breach our city walls.

Zetta grinned rather fiercely. "I almost wish I'd get to see what you do to them for the attempt."

Again, her cruel smile returned, "Have you ever seen a bird with it's wings ripped off? That has become many of my army's preferred method. Rip off their wings to disgrace them, and then allow the ground units to kill them after they have fallen from the sky. If their preached god was real, would he not save them? The Dragons may be dead, but their protection still helps us protect our home."

"And you think *I'm dumb?" The Overlord seemed more amused, even saying that. "People at least know they can't stand against me. Uh, except for Alex. But other than him? I can't remember when I last had someone attack me or my Netherworld."

Nanashi laughed callously, "It is not I who is dumb, but the Angels. They are beat down time and time again, and yet they still keep coming back. I suppose it is their blind faith and sheer madness."

"Yeah, that was what I was getting at! I can't call YOU dumb," Zetta said. He might have liked to just for the sake of the banter, but he couldn't.

Nanashi laughed cruelly, "Good, I would rather hate to need to teach you a lesson. I'm rather comfortable where I am at the moment."

"And I hate learning," Zetta returned, missing the point utterly.

Starfire arrived soon after the first few, ever-curious about the combat lessons Lord Zetta could teach them. It had been made clear that his perspective was vastly different from hers, and that sort of diversity was valuable.

"Do you need assistance before the lesson begins?"

He was about to say no, but then paused and reconsidered as he eyed Starfire. "You're part of a hero team, right? Tell me about it. I want to hear what working in a team is like for you."

"Before I escaped my imprisonment on Earth and joined the Teen Titans, I spent much of my life alone. My parents were dead, my sister wanted nothing to do with me, and I was not given much time to interact with my people. The Titans were some of my first true friends, and they became my family. We fight crime together, yes, but our most enjoyable activities took place in the Tower we cohabited in."

She sighed happily, examining some of her fonder memories. "After the battles, we protect and encourage each other. When someone needs support, we provide it. When we argue, it may take time and effort, and we may feel pain, but it is resolved harmoniously. We are a team, both on and away from the battlefield. That is the dynamic I wish to recreate here."

Yes, Zetta, you have a hopeless optimist on your hands.

"Hmm." Zetta had listened to her words, flagrantly un-demonic as they were, with proper attention. "And that's what you're doing with your... Outsiders? Outcasts? Out-something. Or trying to do, anyway. Did you actually do the whole bomb-thing with one of them?"

"No, I was assigned to assist Ratchet. He had the technical skills to disable it, but I carried him to the bomb's location and defended him when I could."

Starfire paused, shifting her hair over her shoulder. "I hope to spend more time with the Outsiders in the future---next time, perhaps, we will work together."

"Hyaa ha ha ha!" Zetta seemed cheered by her tale, oddly. "You're describing perfectly the problem here. In these situations, people are thrown together randomly. It's nice to plan ahead with a group, but on a ship like this, you could end up fighting next to anyone!

"Not that it seems many people are interested in learning." Zetta glanced around the courtyard with a frown. "Though I guess the fact that we did succeed so well seems to have convinced people that they shouldn't bother coming to hear this. Ha. Or maybe it's because I'm a book."

"You are correct," she sighed. "But small groups of crew members are often sent on missions together. If we have a team prepared in addition to training together as one crew, we may have the advantage."

At his last statement, though, she wondered if he was all right. "Do not be discouraged, Lord Zetta. Books have much to teach us. If this session is a success, more will attend in the future!"

Starfire's last comment earned an rare nonironic, nonevil laugh from Zetta. It still SOUNDED evil, mind, but a voice like ~~Crispin Freeman's~~ Overlord Zetta's really couldn't help that fact.

"I was never much for book learning, myself," he said with a grin. "I don't expect to teach quite the same way your average Demonology 101 book might either. Though to be fair, D-1 books were pretty brutal." Ugh, the memories! The Overlord thrust them aside.

"Anyway, thanks for the insight." That wasn't actually sarcastic. "I figured there were some teams happening. Lucky the most important thing in tactics never changes."

In Which Zetta Monopolizes the Sensoriums

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