dear_mun | voice test + on chapter 386

Yeah, yeah, at least you get to finish your fight. I was killed before the one I wanted was un-frozen.

You speak as though that should be my concern or problem.

[If you expected any kind of sympathy after letting yourself killed off in such a pathetic manner, you are at the wrong address, Jackal.]

Well, no shit it is! There's, what, seven of us left now, counting Master E.N.D.? Maybe eight?

[ It's bad enough that he's dead. But he'll be damned if Tartarus loses to a bunch of humans, especially Fairy Tail. ]

Edited (derp) 2014-05-30 15:28 (UTC)

So? With ever single one of you that falls, I'm one step closer to the top.

[And how can she not be pleased about that? She's always been of the opinion that the weak are better left behind, even before her rebirth in this form.]

The top? Ha! And I thought I was crazy. [ Even Jackal's not that stupid, to try dethroning Marde Guille, much less E.N.D. ] This ain't Succubus Eye.

It's not exactly living up to it's reputation as the strongest Dark Guild either.

[With Marde Guille petrified and at very least two members of the Nine Demon Gates killed...]

But of course, maybe that is just you.

[Minerva has no intention of sharing either fate after all.]

You'd better hope for your sake we are. Or you're comin' down with us.

We'll about that see soon enough.

[If Tartarus falls, Minerva will just have to strike out on her own. Good thing that her loyalties are so flexible.]

So... you're the newest member of Tartarus.

[ He remembers her from the Grand Magic Games (thanks, Obra). Figures that Tartarus would want her to become one of them. He's not sure whether that makes her lucky, or unlucky. ]

[Normally she would tell him that it's non of his business whether she is or isn't – she's gone beyond human now after all, but... something stays her tongue. This man... there is something different about him.]

...Yes, I suppose so.

[She is at least the newest demon in the ranks.]

It's nothing new for a Dark Guild to demand you make sacrifices for their sake. Your family, your dignity, oftentimes, even your life. Tartarus demands you sacrifice everything that makes you human. But I'm guessing you had little choice in that matter, did you?

[ A sigh. He's responsible for them even existing, and he can hardly blame his demons for doing what they think he wants of them (which, arguably, is right). ]

What is it like? Living in Zeref's Bookshelf, not being born from the Books yourself? Have they accepted you?

Choice or not, it's a sacrifice well worth. I plan to use this new power to good use.

[First of all against Erza, then against the rest of the fairies and after that... well, she'll be sure to figure it out.]

It matters little to me. If they look down on me, I shall make them regret it soon enough.

A lot of people say that. I myself did, at one point. [ He doesn't elaborate. Who knows what Tartarus would say if they found out how Zeref really is, these days. ]

Maybe I should introduce myself. [ A beat. He considers it a blessing that a member of Tartarus wouldn't recognize him on sight, even if it's a new member. ] My name is Zeref.

I'm not in habit of making empty promises.

[For all that a lot of people might talk like this, Minerva always means the things she says. Always.

She startles at that revelation, though it only shows in the way her eyes widen.]

The Black Wizard?

[Ridiculous, she wants to say - Zeref is a figure of history, for all that there have been rumors that he is supposed to be alive, she's always been skeptical... and yet. There is something to him that calls to her, that demands her respect – something that goes beyond the deep dark sense of his magic. For all that it might seem preposterous, there is no doubt that he is telling the truth.]

...How unexpected.

Yes.

[ Zeref slowly nods. He knows that a lot of people out there are still unaware that he is alive; the Magic Council knew before their untimely demise, of course. Aside from Fairy Tail, Tartarus, and Crime Sorcière, there probably weren't many people out there that did know that the Black Wizard was alive and well. Her reaction was what he has come to expect at this point, especially from a member of Tartarus, even if it isn't necessarily one of his demons. ]

I had a question for you. Even if you aren't one of the Nine Demon Gates, you are aware of Tartarus' ultimate goal, aren't you?

[ He can't imagine they would keep that a secret from her. ]

Suppose Tartarus succeeds. What would you do? Would you stay with them, or, with your own goals being achieved, would you leave?

[She narrows her eyes, voice sharp as she replies almost automatically.]

I don't see how that is any concern of yours.

[However, she hesitates right after she snapped at him. For all that he is Zeref, for all that she recognizes his strength, she is neither afraid of him nor willing to bow her head to him, but... somehow she still feels compelled to answer.]

I have some idea of what they are up to. [There hadn't been much time for small talk and exposition since her re-awakening as Neo Minerva, but Minerva has always been quite perceptive.] It's too early to say. If I feel satisfied in my new place among them, I will stay. If not, I will make my way as I have always done.

[Human or demon, one thing has remained the same: Her loyalties lie first and foremost with herself alone.]

I suppose it isn't, no. I'm not your Guild Master, after all. [ Nor is he even a member of Tartarus, despite their adoration for him. ] Everything they re doing, they are doing it to earn my favor. Despite being demons that I created, they've never met me in person, and want to return to my side. In order to do that, they wish to resurrect their guild master, E.N.D. It's somewhat ironic, I know.

[ Fair enough in the rest of her answer, though. ]

They could have chosen to be free, and choose their own path independent of me. But they didn't.

Erza can do far better for herself anyway.

[Just said very matter-of-factly.]

[Wow, no she could not. You know. If Minerva was actually anywhere near interested. Which she isn't.]

Nobody asked for your opinion.

[Lowlife.]

[La la la la, can't hear ya, Minerva. Gildarts is just happily trolling every Tartaros member he can, since he's kinda... gone. And can't help with the ACTUAL fight.]

Nah, if anyone is gonna be her rival, it'd have to be either Natsu or Mirajane. You're just not even close to being on their level.

[Shame on you, Gildarts. Oh well, she will gladly repay him by utterly crushing what fairies haven't taken to wandering and missing everything.]

A fire lizard and a fake demon? Don't make me laugh.

[Neither of them have what it takes to be near Erza's level. Never mind Minerva's.]

Yeah, after Mira took over and destroyed your lab, I kind of think she's earned the title "She-Devil," and Natsu's beaten more than enough of your guild to put him on a level higher than yours.

Face it, kid. You went from being a big-shot in Sabertooth to being a grunt. Must be quite the downgrade.

So, they were able to withstand the lowlife. I know of enough that could have done the same.

It might appear so to those that lack vision, but have no doubt: I will come out on the top again and be much stronger for it.

[Much stronger than the human that once snatched her guilt from her father and would have led it to victory, if Sting hadn't given up on the last stretch before the goal.]

You still don't get it, do you, princess?

Everything you have was because of your father, plain and simple. Even now, you live in his shadow. You've cut yourself off from everyone else because of his idiotic philosophy of "only the strong survive."

I may not be the world's best father, far from it really. But there's one thing my daughter proved in those games. When a guild comes together, and our hearts are united as one, there is no force on the planet that can stop us.

I've seen Erza grow from an isolated little girl, too afraid to open her heart to anyone, to one of the single most compassionate women I've ever seen. It is that compassion that gives her strength. It is that bond that gives us all strength. By all rights, Erza should've been defeated when you took out her leg, but in the end, it was you laying in defeat. This time, when the lives of those she cares about are on the line, the lives of her brothers and sisters, I assure you, it will not be a repeat of your match in the Grand Magic Games.

What you are about to come face-to-face with is nothing short than a force of nature. Something far beyond your comprehension, simply because you treat people as if they are beneath you.

Strength is your weakness, and weakness is our strength.

Everyone has a disturbing habit of confusing the desire to murder someone with romantic intentions! It's quite worrisome for the love life of the so called average person, really...

Such a waste of thought, isn't it? Though I do see the entertainment value to a certain degree.

[At least if it comes to torturing the "average person". When it involves herself? Not so much.]

Oh, yes! Tearing someone to shreds, fast or slow, is always a source of amusement. But the last time I checked, if you were to do that to a loved one, you'd be considered to be doing it wrong! How bizarre a twist.

[And, being the kind of absolutely insane guy he is-]

By the way, would you like a shirt? I have spares.

But so fortunate for those of us that enjoy ripping into others regardless of who they are.

[Loved ones, comrades... Minerva knows well enough that they can serve as a source of strength, she's seen it with Fairy Tail and with Sting, but she knows just as well how they are weakness at the very same time and always to be exploited when the situation presents itself.

As for his shirt.]

With good reason, no doubt. Keep it to yourself.

Suit yourself, you're just... Hanging out a bit. [Apparently no one told Asura that villains are supposed to dress light and revealing. He's wrapped in six layers.]

But regardless. Killing as and when and who you please is a fine hobby, but the tendency to assign deep motivations to it other than the obvious is so baffling. It gets to the point where one almost considers not tearing someone's limbs off to avoid the connotations.

Edited 2014-05-31 10:00 (UTC)

Hn. We can't all be suited to go around as some excuse for a mummy.

[Translation: Keep your opinion about her wardrobe to yourself, Asura or else.]

If you let something as insignificant as some trash's opinion get in the way of your enjoyment, one just might question your conviction to it.

[He will. For now. If only because with his face covered by eyesight actually fine, he can ogle for a while. Being a prude and a pervert is a delicate balance.]

Oh, no. I live entirely by my own ideals. But after the fifty thousandth person questions your attraction to someone you want to die you feel like tearing your skin off from the sheer boredom of dealing with the same thing for years.

[As if she cares. If he tries anything, he'll find quickly that those claws of hers aren't just for show.]

Then perhaps you shouldn't let them question in first place.

[He just likes to stare, thankfully. Can't really help it when you've got eyes everywhere anyway.]

I don't, but the sad truth about punishing people for crossing you is they have to cross you first. If only everyone who would annoy me in the future could just drop dead... How wonderful it would be to wade knee deep through corpses all day.

Calling me your "beloved" doesn't exactly leave much open to interpretation.

Also, we don't need to fight - we've never needed to fight. I understand that you disliked the outcome of the Grand Magic Games, [that's a bit of an understatement...] but that's no reason to try to bring about the end of the world!

Don't flatter yourself, my dear.

[Her use of terms of endearments isn't going to make her assault any less deadly.]

Hah. I couldn't care less for the world or the end of it. And didn't I promise you to settle our conflict on much grander stage?

[There is little more grand than the apocalypse.]

I never thought you'd go so far as to... become like this.

[You know, an ugly demon. Sting just frowns. He was once power hungry but he realized what's the point of it all if it meant losing Lector or anyone he holds dear? He also wants a rematch with Natsu badly but he won't trade everything to become someone he's not.

Not now. Not ever.]

You can still change, you know. Defeating Erza isn't everything.

[He knows that well now.]

['Ugly' is a matter of opinion. Minerva is quite satisfied with her new appearance.]

Change to what? A groveling weakling, like you Sting? I am meant for greater highs.

[Defeating Erza is just the start.]

Tch.

[That's for calling him a groveling weakling. HE'S NOT A WEAKLING TYVM. (Only maybe groveling.) His frown only deepens as he's starting to look more annoyed than actually serious. Sting knows further talking to her would be useless, but he also knows he shouldn't let his impatience get the better of him. Especially now that he's the Master of Sabertooth.

He tries, Rogue, okay.]

You can achieve "greater highs" without further descending yourself into darkness. Choosing to be good doesn't mean choosing to be weak. I think that's what Fairy Tail stands for.

[And what Sabertooth, under his leadership, is achieving now. Sting may not be one for rousing speeches but he wants to try, at least. Natsu does a great job at it, so he might as well try his best too.]

[She is well aware of the potential within Sting, had taken advantage of it in order to upstage her father during the Games, but she is just as aware of his vulnerabilities – Lector, Rogue and now also the rest of the guild – and knows how to use them against him should he ever dare to cross her.]

I think, I'll pass on that, lest I find myself giving grandiose speeches about friendship and solidarity. You seem to do such a great job on it already.

[Taking on the creed of her enemy is not her style. For all that she has left him behind and freed herself from his weakness, Minerva still very much subscribes to her father's philosophy of 'strength is absolute'.]

[Sting's quiet for a moment there, not knowing what to reply exactly. His impatience and annoyance are getting the better of him but he knows damn well Minerva is Sabertooth's liability. He feels responsible for whatever happens to her, just like how he felt he's responsible when the former master kicked out Yukino.

When he does speak, he's trying not to sound annoyed.]

That so, huh... [He knows that wasn't a compliment so no gratitude is in order. He pauses again, choosing his words carefully despite his irritation.] But what happens if Erza defeats you again?

Edited 2014-06-06 15:10 (UTC)

You'll never be able to defeat Erza, not even in this new form of yours, I can assure you that.

[If there's someone who watched Erza become as strong as she is now, it'd be Mira. Sorry girl, she's Erza's original rival. Get your own.]

voice test + on chapter 386

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