⚒ FIFTEENTH - [ video / open to action ]

[deathsought]

Private to Sayla

{ I will annihilate both you, and the humans. Such is my duty. The words still rang in his ears as the light nearly blinded him. It was typical of how he felt after coming out of the Dream Docks; hungry, in need of a bath, trying to sort out the dream from reality. Just continue waiting. The final battle between dragon, immortal, and humanity approaches. A wicked smirk. Spirits attacking the city. The thought of finally going home, and taking E.N.D. with him. Wondering if the spirits completely trashed Tartaros' headquarters in Everglade. A plan already formulating in his head. Mavis. Lumen Histoire. Suddenly trying to remember the rules of Rejenca. The scent of Sayla's perfume and the sound of a page turning.

The sense of vertigo fading, Zeref found the heel of his hand pressed against his forehead, and then to his right eye, trying to force himself back to the real world; or as real a world as a place like Genessia can be. When at last he felt lucid, Zeref turned to Sayla, his eyes adjusting to the light of the room. }

You've stayed here all this time?

{ A question she needn't answer. Of course she did. }

You know, it's... I think it's time I told you the truth about your Guild Master. And yourself. { She has more than earned the right to know by this point. }

OTA:

{ Zeref's face appears on the screen. He's in the city, the sights and sounds around him clearly identifiable to anybody who's spent any amount of time in Genessia City. He's heading down 14th Street, towards the Bay, the Dream Docks vanishing into the distance behind him. }

Something about this world has been bothering me.

{ Something about a big party is heard in the background, spoken between a couple sharing a set of headphones. Zeref pays zero attention to them. }

In my world, the majority of dragons view humans as little more than food. The reason why they were hunted nearly to extinction began with that fact. In this world, they keep mainly to themselves. Why is that?

Comments

Action

[bookishdemoness]

Of course, I did, Master Zeref. [A week is not that long a time period for a demon like her anyway. She closes her book and smiles at him.] That's what you wanted from me, wasn't it? And the story in which a bodyguard leaves their master's side wouldn't be a very good one. Even by human standards.

[She moves to kneel closer to him. The truth about E.N.D. and herself.] I would love to hear about that, Master Zeref. [The white musc perfume she's wearing, floats in the air, rich and captivating.]

Action

[deathsought]

{ Zeref is silent for several seconds. Her loyalty and dedication to him haven't been lost on him; and unlike Mard Geer, she technically didn't fail in her mission. She did exactly as she was instructed. She activated Face. The fact that Mard Geer couldn't finish the job and resurrect E.N.D. could hardly be considered her fault.

No... she deserved to know the truth. }

E.N.D.'s was indeed sealed, but not in the sense that you had been led to believe. E.N.D. is alive, but he is not as he was when he founded Tartaros. He is not the same etherious he was, back then. In fact... he currently believes himself to be human, ironically enough.

{ That's a good place to start, at least. This particular story should only be given to her in bits and pieces at a time. }

[Video]

[fairysoul]

Hey Zeref!

I'm glad you... [She's wondered if he had been sent back. And to be honest, she was worried about that. Not that she'd say that out loud. Especially where everyone can hear.

She doesn't finish her sentence. Instead she focuses on the next part.] I see someone has been doing a lot of thinking over the past week. [She tilts her head.] Dragons and humans are much more alike than it seems. Maybe one of the reasons why we were sent to Genessia is to help us understand that.

[Video]

[deathsought]

Mavis...

{ Well, this is awkward. Considering the last thing he remembered before waking up was formulating a plan in his head that may or may not have involved starting a war between Alvarez and Ishgar in order to claim Fairy Heart. }

I know you were not alive for that, but if these dragons were anything like the majority of dragons in Earth-Land four hundred years ago, they would be attack the city daily looking for humans to eat.

[Audio]

[firstrose]

You're finally awake? About time...

[He doesn't need to 'see' who's talking, right? People who know Suigintou would recognize that charming voice everywhere.]

[Audio]

[deathsought]

How long has it been?

{ Yes, he knows your voice, alright. It's why he doesn't bother to do anything other than getting right to the point. }

Video

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy has wondered what happened to Zeref after the last time they spoke. She knows what Lucy said and what’s written in history books but she can’t help but be curious about the knowledge that he has.]

Maybe they don’t want to be hunted? [It seems logical anyway.]

What do you know of the dragons of Earth-land? [Because Levy doesn’t know very much, besides what she’s heard from Natsu.]

Video

[deathsought]

The dragons of our world were hardly concerned with that. { Not at first, anyway. } The dragons that sought peace with humans were a minority. It wasn't until the birth of Dragon Slayers - and one in particular - that the dragons who preyed upon humanity began to falter. But of course, by then, it was too late.

I have seen no evidence of Dragon Slayer magic in this world, or even anything equivalent, that is native to this world.

[Video]

[yuuwish]

That is bothering, isn't it?

But you look like a sensible young man. So according to you, why is that?

[The voice is suave and cajoling. And as she pulls on her long cigarette, the eyes that are set on Zeref have a both curious and mischievous glint to them.]

[Video]

[deathsought]

'Young.' { He repeats, not as a question. Gods, it sounds like something Yazir would say. } Either they have an alternate source of food, or somehow, peace between humanity and dragons was forged long ago, and long before the tipping point that led to their extinction in my own world.

[video]

[vernier]

...There are dragons here?

[This is the first time she's hearing about that. ...Well, she knows there's at least one dragon from another world, but from the sounds of things, he's talking about dragons who actually inhabit Genessia.]

Um... Maybe they haven't found a reason to act aggressively?

[ video ]

[deathsought]

Yes. Though, from what I understand, they keep to themselves. I am curious as to why. Four hundred years ago, the only reason they needed was hunger.

[Video]

[taintedwhite]

Dragons are so cool! Does Mister think they like pudding? [Because that's the important question, Zeref, mind you.]

[Video]

[deathsought]

{ A little girl? No, she looks to be about Wendy or Mavis' (physical) age. But what an odd question. }

No... no, I don't think they do.

[Action]

[painful_finish]

[There's a guy walking away from the Bay, and while his stride tells of purpose, the air about him is frustration and confusion. He sees this person heading towards him, but is too distracted looking at the street signs. He mutters to himself]

A map would be helpful, but that must be too much to ask.

[Action]

[deathsought]

{ Zeref almost says nothing. It isn't until he senses the energy around him that he stops. No Genessia native has that sort of energy. }

Your device. { Zeref says, holding up his own. } If you like, I'll send you a picture message with one attached.

[Audio]

[feel_nevermore]

Dragons are trouble. Wherever they come from.

[Audio]

[deathsought]

{ It takes Zeref a second or two to answer. She certainly sounds... deadpan. }

Most are, I will not disagree there.

[fairiesinourhearts]

So you went back, too... [Is that why he hadn't responded to her message, then?]

I don't remember anything about dragons from when we left Tenrou.

[ video? ]

[deathsought]

I only went to the Dream Docks. It's not the same as returning to Earth-Land.

{ He hasn't had much a chance to read through old posts yet. He isn't even aware she made one. }

Most of the dragons died long before you were born. I'm not surprised you haven't met one.

[Video]

[psychic_supremecy]

[Sorry Zeref, Mewtwo isn't in the best of moods as he adapts to his role of Deputy Guardian, so this question strikes a nerve harder than it probably should.]

Could it perhaps be because they are intelligent beings with their own idea of what is and isn't food?

[Video]

[deathsought]

Dragons from my world were no less intelligent. It only meant they were more creative about their feeding habits.

[Video] He really should learn to just use audio. See icon.

[tonytonychopper]

Dragons? I heard Luffy found two in our world created by an evil scientist that attacked just about anything. I wonder if they're less intelligent and cooperative with each other here than what you're used to... Or maybe there's some sort of peace agreement?

[Video]

[deathsought]

'Created?'

{ Now that's a first. }

It is possible. If there is such an agreement in place, I have not heard of it.

video;

[gullwingsgunner]

You know, I can't say I know an awful lot about dragons. However, I just assumed they were always like that.

I guess if you asked such a question, I was wrong.

video;

[deathsought]

{ Zeref ponders this for a moment. }

They do exist, here. I have confirmed this myself. But they avoid all of the major cities. I suppose I'm just curious.