solnet | ⚜ ii ︙ video

{ The feed begins with Zeref seated at a desk, as a book lays open in front of him; it was titled "Life and Death: The Magical Connection." It would be considered highly controversial in his world; not just due to its subject matter, but due to the implicit argument made throughout the book that magic used to resurrect the dead wasn't evil, and that 'necromancy' was a buzzword invented by people who are afraid of its repercussions by conjuring images of zombies and skeletons.

Another book was visible on a bedside table in the background. Zeref glances up, and realizes that the phone is active.

He sighs, and decides to just roll with it, this time. }

Tomorrow is the third Monday of September, is it not? { He asked, mostly rhetorically from the tone of his voice; of course, anyone who can read a calendar would know that it's the fourth Monday of September. His glitch is causing him to completely lose track of time. It's probably why he's been so scarce in the Castle lately. } It's a holiday in a country in my world, called 'Respect for the Aged Day.' It's a day that celebrates the elderly citizens of that country. I understand it's also celebrated in certain countries in other worlds, too.

{ It's one of the few days that he would at least attempt to send a letter to Alvarez when he isn't present in the country. After August's many decades of dedicated, loyal service, he deserves the recognition. Unfortunately, there's no way to do that, now. Zeref places a feather in the pages of the book to act as a bookmark. }

I suppose that I will be here, for a while, now. I can see no way to leave this world at present. In light of this, I'm aware that some of you have the ability to 'sense' souls. May I speak with one of you, in private? It is urgent, and concerns the safety of this castle and everyone in it.

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Actually... [She comes to sit next to him.] Tomorrow will be the fourth Monday of September. But it's very sweet of you to try and remind people to celebrate that Holiday. I take it you'd maintained that tradition in Alvarez too?

[She leans closer, as if trying to read in the depth of his black and seemingly pupilless eyes.] Is it because of the Shadows that you're looking for someone who can sense souls? It surprises me that you show concern for the people of this castle. [She means after everything he's been teaching her on how to deal with their curse over the past months.] So outwardly at least.

It--... it is?

{ Zeref blinked, more confused than shocked. He doesn't even hear her next question. He could have sworn today was Sunday, the 18th. Has he really lost a whole week? }

How long have I been sitting here?

{ Zeref blinks again, repeatedly, pressing the heels of palm into his closed eyes, trying to focus. When he opens them, she's leaning closer, her own green eye inches from his own. }

I've been hearing about 'soulbonding,' whatever that is. I don't think I need to point out how disastrous it would be if someone were to unintentionally find themselves linked to either of our souls.

[This bastard can sense souls. He makes a habit of it in unfamiliar places.

Still, it's not information he likes spreading around without due cause. Keeping his tone neutral for now:]

What, we talkin' "and then everyone dies" kind of safety risk?

Yes, unfortunately. There is a reason why I have been scarce, in this castle.

{ And the reason has more to it than just his currently-flawed perception of the passage of time. }

[Why in the seven hells does Ozuma keep fishing out guys who can destroy everything for this war?

Alright, Sanji knows it's not really the spirit's fault but-- feh.]

Right. You're gonna have to give me more shit than that before I agree to anything.

I suppose the phrase 'Curse of Contradictions' means nothing to you? { He certainly doesn't seem to be from Earth-Land. ~~Just another, similar shonen manga.~~ } Suffice it to say that, given all of this talk of 'soul bonding,' if it means what I think it means, you do not want anybody 'bonding' with my soul.

[The weight of that phrase passes over Sanji's head, just as Zeref expects, but Sanji lets it slide. He was more concerned with this guy pulling his weight, but if he's this willing to delve into details...

Besides, he played the perfect card. Sanji will bring this castle down if one of his friends are hurt.]

Alright, what do you want from me?

Tell me, can you sense my soul from where you are now? Or do you need to be closer to me?

{ Please say no, he thinks to himself as he asks this. }

[Grimacing, Sanji switches the conversation to private. He should've done that from the beginning but was hoping it wouldn't be necessary.

But if he's gotta spill the range of his Haki, well... Sorry to say he doesn't trust every asshole in the castle.]

Of course I've gotta be closer to you; never met you before, so how would I know it's your aura?

Trust me... you'll know.

{ Yeah, it's that kind of aura. }

We'll meet in the altar room.

Fine by me. Give me five minutes.

{ Sure enough, Zeref would be there. He'd be at the far end of the room, near the altar iteself, hands folded in front of him. He'd turn t face Sanji as he approached, and hold up one hand. }

Come only as close as you need. There is a reason why Mavis and I don't leave our room often.

{ His soul's aura would be as dark as expected; centuries old, if such a thing can be detected, and interlaced by the kind of stain only centuries of use of dark magic could leave behind. But at the same time, that darkness isn't his; it's as if it were deliberately put there, not by himself, but by something else entirely. }

Now, do you understand?

[Sanji has spent months learning that his method of aura detection is a flawed beast, especially here in the castle. Observation Haki wasn't made for galactic use, and there are times it's like reading the characters of a shitty language he's never seen before. Once he feels Zeref's presence in the altar room, the pirate stops at the other's command, brow furrowed as he stares through the body and takes stock of what he came here for.

Alright. It's powerful. But so is Mochi's aura, and she's a goddamned dog. He's not automatically awarding points for strength. The only other note of concern is the foreignness of the aura - overbearing, a shade duller than what Sanji suspects is the actual soul. It reminds him of the aura etched in Rin's arm.

It's why he asks with a certain frankness:]

Someone put that in you?

Not someone. Something.

{ Zeref sighs. While he has zero regrets about the actions that led to the Curse and would happily make the same decision again if given the chance, he would be lying if he described it as anything less than a fate worse than death. }

And before you ask, I have tried every method conceivable to excise it. Mercifully, it seems a bit easier to control here than it does in my own world, and I suspect that is because the God who cursed Mavis and I has a much weaker influence, here.

Oh, I wasn't gonna.

[Not knowing the exact nature of this thing, Sanji's attention span begins and ends with how this might benefit himself.

And speaking of that - back to business. He points at Zeref with the lit end of his cigarette]

So you can control it? Then what's the shitty problem here? Just don't cause trouble and we're set.

It's more complicated than that. I didn't say that I can control it, I said that controlling it is easier. The way the Curse works, the more I come to value the lives of others, the more the Curse takes the lives of others.

That is why Mavis and I have been keeping to ourselves.

{ Zeref turns away, closing his eyes. }

It could still activate at any moment, it just seems to be doing so far less often.

Hn... so when it activates, then kills anyone you care about? Or just a bunch of innocent bystanders?

[Sanji squints at Zeref with a little bit more interest now that he's being given more details to mull over.]

Why the hell do you got that thing in you, anyway? [And more importantly to him:] And how does it go about killing?

[So many questions - because calling Sanji to the Altar is all well and good, but he's still uncertain what Zeref expects from his involvement besides bearing witness to an aura that shouldn't be there.]

Both. Whoever happens to be in the vicinity. The only ones it doesn't effect... usually... are other immortals.

{ Zeref sighs. He's a very solitary person, the kind who doesn't share information easily. But if it activates and people die... }

That isn't important. All that matters is that if it activates, people need to get away from me, fast. It manifests as a black wave of magic that kills anything it touches.

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