Cross Effects: Rebirth (2.0) The RP

[Elf]

"Truly? I'd be glad to know. You should, however, know that I am still quite a while from satisfaction", returning his wink with her tongue poking playfully out of her mouth.

Despite her words demanding immediate sexual contact, she enjoyed simply resting in his muscular chest. Gabriel had a wonderful odor to him that she couldn't quite place, but couldn't quite get enough of either.

Gabriel smirked and said, "I would hope not, not just after a little dittle like that.  There's so much more I want to do with you."

Then he reached out with his free hand and "opened" a door, propelling them through it.  The dull light was almost dazzlingly bright from being within the shadows, but Gabriel was soon use to his desk lamp being on.  It was a Tiffany type number, but the stained glass contained a scene of a murder of crows shaded in green and violet.

He gestured to his bedroom.  In the center was an absurdly large four poster bed complete with a canopy in a deep burgundy.  The bed itself had matching silk sheets and dark violet blankets.  It also had an absurd amount of pillows.  There was a vanity that had a few photographs framed on it, a clothes press, a night stand with an old fashioned alarm clock and a few amethyst cathedrals standing against the walls.  The furniture was in dark wood and the plush carpet was an even darker red.  The walls were paneled with dark wood, and oddly enough there were no windows.

[Knick]

"I unfortunately do not have a device or ability that would let you do that. If you do yourself, however, then I shall gladly accept such a method."

"My familiars should prove suitable, if you are not adverse to them." Zolgen preformed a small bow showing proper respect to the man in front of him.

"Thank you for your generosity, son of the sun." He raised himself. "Now, if our meeting is completed I have something I must attend to. Farewell."

[MissingMandible]

Since she had the thing's attention she took another step forward, a hand reaching towards it.  "Easy there," she said in a soft voice.  Her voice was already naturally husky so she knew this part wouldn't be too hard.  "There you are, pretty bird. Don't flash yourself."

Eye lens shifting to yellow, Songbird was finding himself even more calmed down. All he could do was gaze upon the blonde woman.

Then she did something that was either very brave, or very foolish.  She reached out and petted the thing's beak.  All she felt under her palm was cold metal.  She wondered if her gesture would even reach the poor Iron Bird Man.

That caused the lens to shift to green. At this point, Songbird cared not for any of the others fighting or standing nearby, all he could care about was this woman in front of him. She was so different from the Bad Men that held him prisoner just hours earlier, so different from the Monster that has him tied up with these unbreakable chains.

The Man-Bird didn't understand why, but he is now drawn to her. The conditioning the Bad Men put him through were acting up; it turns out that the only thing needed was a simple act of kindness and empathy for it to finally activate.

The blond nodded and sent to Iron Bird Man, I'm Forest.  What's your name?

Songbird cocked his head to the side, not understanding the question.

The Man-bird's body is now slowly aching again: his adrenaline was running out and the endorphins ceased production. Like many an injured animal stuck in flight-or-fight, he rode his already damaged body to hard, and the struggling against the chains only made things worse. The pain from earlier was quickly returning...

[Brahmastra]

Gabriel smirked and said, "I would hope not, not just after a little dittle like that.  There's so much more I want to do with you."

Then he reached out with his free hand and "opened" a door, propelling them through it.  The dull light was almost dazzlingly bright from being within the shadows, but Gabriel was soon use to his desk lamp being on.  It was a Tiffany type number, but the stained glass contained a scene of a murder of crows shaded in green and violet.

He gestured to his bedroom.  In the center was an absurdly large four poster bed complete with a canopy in a deep burgundy.  The bed itself had matching silk sheets and dark violet blankets.  It also had an absurd amount of pillows.  There was a vanity that had a few photographs framed on it, a clothes press, a night stand with an old fashioned alarm clock and a few amethyst cathedrals standing against the walls.  The furniture was in dark wood and the plush carpet was an even darker red.  The walls were paneled with dark wood, and oddly enough there were no windows.

La Folia felt her mouth upon in a wide smile as she surveyed the gorgeous bedroom, awed at the beautiful furniture and decoratives of Gabriel's room.

"My! Is this all yours? All of it?"

Her own room in the castle back at the Royal Residence of Aldeigia would put it to shame in both size and beauty, but there was something about this "small", at least in comparison to her own, room that gave it a coziness that was both foreign and unexpectedly pleasant. It was in her nature to be marveled at anything foreign or exotic, she who had been raised in an isolated environment. To her, even a kind of well-decorated bedroom was something to express excitement over.

Also unlike her own room, her screams-to-come would probably not echo off of the walls.

"Well then, Gabriel, were you not going to so, so many things to me?" she said faux-snidely over her shoulder, wanting to tease him just a bit more, before he overwhelmed her completely.

[Knick]

“HEY OLD MAN!” A young voice yelled though the church, “WHEN IS DINNER READY?”

A man stirring a boiling pot of stew smiled and answered in a reserved ton that echoed though the building, “Just about Jeff, it your favorite beef and carrot stew.” He paused, “I am not that old either, kiddo” he added almost as an afterthought.

 He took a taste from the wooden spoon before nodding to himself, “Yes good, just about right.”

Putting the spoon down he took two small hand towels and used them to carry the large metal pot of stew out of the kitchen and into a hallway. “Kids get the table ready the food is on its way.”

A moment later he entered the dining room and placed the large pot in the center of the table before looking around, noticing one of the chairs was empty, “Where’s Jake? Don’t tell me he snuck off to scavenge again?” He asked all the children sitting around the table; they simply bit their lips and became absorbed by their laps. Meanwhile two adults had concern etched onto their features as the look at one another and then to the older man. 

Sighing he began to take of his apron. “You know the drill kids, stay in the church, and no one leave. Feel free to eat though. Robert, Alice, please keep them safe while I go find Jake.”

He began to walk down the hallway before coming to a wooden door, emblazed with a large cross. He turned to the side, taking a jacket of a rack he put it on, followed by scarf. Then he unlocked a wooden desk with a key that hung on a string around his neck, and opened its drawer.

From the drawer he took out a belt with attached pouches and a gun holster, putting it on him, he then filled the pouches with a wide assortment of objects, finally putting a loaded 10mm auto handgun into the holster

Closing the drawer and cabinet, and walked towards the entrance, grabbing a katana that was leaning against the wall before opening the door and walking out. He closed the door behind him and made sure it was locked.

He took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth, “Kids always causing me trouble.” Putting away the pack of cigarettes he fiddled with his pockets before pulling out a lighter.

He lit the cigarette in his mouth and put the lighter away, “Really though, can’t he just kick that bad habit?” He then let out a breath of smoke as the older man named Shiro walked calmly into most crime ridden and dangerous part of the Nexus city, the no-man’s land, where humans fear to roam.

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Shiro walked down a ruined road, eyes belonging to supernatural beings all around him watching him warily. Shiro simply continued walking while calmly enjoying his cigarette. He had already checked most of Jake’s old savaging spots, so the only one left is the one in on the border of vampire territory.

“Please already be back at the church already. “ He muttered.

Reaching the last spot he began looking around. For a moment he was relieved, that is until he found a trail of blood. He ran, following the trail until he entered an alleyway, in which he found the young boy held down while unconscious by a vampire who was about to suck his blood.

Shiro saw red. And in a moment he was griping the head of the vampire, before his hand flashed and the vampire crumpled to dust. He quickly caught the boy before he hit the ground.

Picking up the boy in both arms he turned to rush back to the church. Only to find a group of vampires standing at the end of the alleyway, baring his way.

The obviously lead vampire was the first to speak, “Hehehe, look like we finally got you, you bastard. Now we gonna get you back for what ya did to my bro.”

Shiro looked at the monster with nothing but contempt. “Bro? Oh you mean that beast I killed yesterday.” Kneeling down he placed Jake softly onto the ground, his eyes never leaving the vampires, “he had a child acting as a mobile blood bag on top of being an abomination, really think I was going to let that go?” Taking a few steps forward he held his hands at his sides completely at ease.

The monster snarled, his red eyes glowing in the night “Fuck off you shit.”

It and the others lunging at Shiro with superhuman speed, but Shiro was still faster. Spinning on his heel he dodged the first claw, grabbing the vampire by the wrist and flipping it, smashing it against the pavement, before shooting his elbow behind him with his other arm, caving in the face of the one attempting to attack his blind spot created from the spin.

Then as the final two vampires attacked from both sides Shiro jumped high into the air, making the two collide into one another. Instantly two black keys where in each of Shiro’s hands, flashing through the air they impaled all four vampires in less than a second.

He landed on the ground with a light tap. “Honestly, you monsters never learn.” He walked over to the boy ignoring the vampires as they began to turn to stone by the sacrament etched into the blades.

Picking up the boy he smiled lightly, “Now let’s get you back to the church so and get you into a nice bed, and maybe a meal when you wake up.”

And so, carrying the boy Shiro rushed back to the church.

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It was a bit later with the kids all put to sleep by Shiro and the other volunteers. Shiro was sitting alone on a swing in the church’s lawn having a cigarette full battle garb, watching for anything that stupidly might attack the church.

“Oh lord, why did you send my here in your infinite wisdom?” to anyone else, it would appear he was talking to himself, but it could not be farther from the truth.

“I know I cannot hope to understand your grand purpose for me to be drawn to this world, for it is not my duty as your servant to do anything but carry out your will.”

Speaking to his lord, despite not getting an answer, was always something he had done. For god is everywhere and therefor always hears him. God is Shiro’s greatest and truest confidant, for he already knows all.

“I do not doubt you, such a thing is impossible. But I simply ponder, am I here to care for these children? Or am I here to hunt the monsters which desecrate your realm?”

Shiro simply looked up at the stars, not expecting an answer, simply content to sit and gaze upon the work of his lord.

[Brahmastra]

"My familiars should prove suitable, if you are not adverse to them." Zolgen preformed a small bow showing proper respect to the man in front of him.

"Thank you for your generosity, son of the sun." He raised himself. "Now, if our meeting is completed I have something I must attend to. Farewell."

"Then I shall expect your call for aid and then fulfill your request no matter what it is. I thank you for having this heart-to-heart with me, O Magus." Clapping his hands together and giving a slight bow, Karna bid Zolgen farewell and began to find his way out of the sewer, desiring fresh air to wipe away the smell of the sewer.

He began a steady sprint towards the Shopping District once he was on flat ground, moving at a pace that could only be called a blur to those around him. He was anxious for a bath and knew of the facilities available to the people who needed to be cleaned.

[Puck-Chan]

Location: Shopping District X

While it had seemed after calming the bird-man would yield at least a quieter night, it looks like everything is not over yet. The walking enigma that had been with Forest earlier decided to keep the flames of battle going... with a beam of metal from a torn off lamp-stand. At the very moment the shaft ran through Grigori's titillating body, he already knew another shitstorm has already brewed as the witch has already healed again and summoned a company of creatures at her command.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me," Henry groaned at this tumultuous development.

Immediately he lunged back towards the bench where the armored girl would be lying comatose. He lifted her off the public seat before hefting her over his shoulder as his free hand grasped what personal possessions he could get his hand on. Henry hurriedly headed over towards Forest's side as the gears of combat would start to whirr vigorously in earnest.

"Don't bother stopping them. There's nothing we can do about it," he advised the obviously frustrated blonde.

With a powerful sorceress capable of various spells and a living vessel that compressed an enormous source of energy coming to blows with each other, it is obvious to Henry that it is likely that this area would become very much like a war zone. Even with Forest's intervention through telekinesis, it probably would not be enough.

"Get her out of here. I'll do something about Mr. Big Bird. He's going to be in a world of hurt right now if we leave him as he is."

Mr. Big Bird's eyes, from Henry's observation, suggested its emotional state was represented what color it flashes. It doesn't take even an idiot to figure the viridescent lighting meant the buzzard was calm. With this in mind, this change in emotions also meant the generation of necessary hormones were starting to come to a complete halt. Henry then extended both arms and relaxed his grip on the nameless assassin's body as he offered her towards Forest.

"Can you see if you can get the buzzard to trust me? I'm not exactly too keen on getting smashed like her when I'm trying to help."


OOC: Yeah I'm assuming Grigori's going to keep going anyway, based on how she said she was done playing around.

[Ivan The Mouse]

"Damn it, I don't know where you'll find me. But if some shit's going down, odds are you won't have to look too far," he said before turning away one final time and mumbling. "Trouble has its way of finding ways of dragging me in, after all."

He kept an only somewhat steady pace, punctuated by small, manageable amounts of dizziness; nothing that could stop him outright.

The answer only intensified Yukina's confusion, and then she tried to ask him some more. "But wait, stranger! Please do tell us your name!"

"Let him be, Yukina." Rattus told his employee, as he began walking back to the Kubelwagen. "He already said that if the situation gets chaotic, he'll be there anyway. He's a headstrong man, perhaps he won't need help at all. Let things take their course for him. Do you understand?" He was at the door of the car when he turned to face her. "Let's go."

Yukina then finally turned her back from the man in red and glanced back for a bit, before she nodded as as response to Rattus and walked towards the car too. As soon as they both occupied the car, Rattus started the engine and began to accelerate. She then told him, "Let us drive around the city some more, Rattus-san."

"Alright." He said. "If we fail to find something or someone peculiar after an hour or after the last thing we see, we're heading back to the manor. I still have to find a mining company to supply us with ore and flux."

"Okay." She agreed.

After a few minutes of driving, they came across a church. On its lawn, Yukina saw a older man in double-breasted pea coat, scarf and glasses sitting on a swing, seemingly pondering about something. Rattus noticed her looking at this older man in the church lawn swing, so he stopped his car, knowing that Yukina has found another seemingly interesting personality in this city. She then exited the vehicle once more and walked towards the man.

"Good evening, stranger!" She greeted him.

"Good evening, Father." Rattus said with a hint of humbleness in his monotonic tone. "I supposed that you are the parish priest of this church. Can we please know your name and the name of this church?"

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Hakumen's massive hand reached down and carefully opened the car door.

"Very well."

Carefully sliding his giant sword into the backseat, the warrior gently lowered himself into a car. His giant body somehow managed to fit inside the door frame - to anyone with half a sense of humor, it would have looked comical. The white giant was scrunched up in the passenger seat of the muscle car, somehow managing to fit even though part of his shoulder stuck out of the open window and his long, silver hair took up most of the backseat.

Even though his blade now rested in the backseat, the way the giant had laid it made it such that the sword poked out into the front are of the car, its' handle conveniently close to Hakumen's hands. The warrior slowly turned his head to stare at Law once more, his completely blank looking dispassionately at the driver. For a moment, it almost seemed like one of the crimson eyes on his shoulder piece had blinked.

"Drive."

There was a silent second before the engine rumbled to life as Law looked at the strange red eye on his passenger's armor.

'I think it just blinked.'

It did. I wonder if he can see anything...

'That's not exactly comforting'

Just start driving. We can take him.

Law managed to pull out down one of the main streets of the Nexus, going west from the Tokyo tower, towards what he thought was a business area of some kind.

"So. Um. What's your name. Mine's Law." Lawrence could barely speak that, nervously glancing at the massive man sitting right next to him. Even if that sword wasn't going to be able to be used against him in this close of an environment, it was still creeping him the hell out. Plus those red eyes... it was like they were trying to see through him if that was even possible. Hell, for all he knew the giant COULD see through him. Maybe even the Driver himself. That was not a very comforting thought - but the man if he had wasn't making a comment in that regard, so Law supposed he could be trusted.

"And, uh, where do you want to go."

[Kat]

"Come on then, let's go to No Man's Land," Ash said with a smirk.

Even though the place wasn't hospitable for most mortals, it did have its good share of blood whores under one Mr. Deacon Frost.

Having little choice, Ellen followed Ash into something that clearly sounded dangerous.

JoJo

Jojo stepped into the area surrounding the 'vampire district'. For now, he decided to observe. Even though his family has fought vampires for generation, this was not his world, and the vampires could vary from Stone Mask ones. Though he would not hold back if he caught a one redhanded on trying to drain and kill a hapless bystander. Moving stealthily as much as he could with his huge frame, he observed a path leading out of the district, for any suspicious people coming in and out.

[Daiki]

Enkidu - No Man's Land's periphery


Enkidu was running. Not as fast as he could, for he didn't want to cause an incident with these primitive vehicles occupying most of the roads available. Instead, he simply advanced at a good pace, avoiding the humans as much as possible and making sure the dragon did not distance him.

He gave it a glance, feeling more at ease with its imposing presence by his side.

"We are getting closer," he said with joy.

It was true. The buildings surrounding them gave way to more room to circulate, the area looked less crowded and he could smell an air less polluted by combustion. He forgot the setting, which had became a simple blur and only focused on keeping the same pace with his companion.

He found himself laughing, his heart alleviated from doubts and confusion. It didn't matter where they were headed. The only thing important right now was this feeling of freedom. From his very birth in this world he had always felt closer to the wild. Sprinting without a care in the world next to feral beasts brought him unmeasurable delight. It was different from being in the presence of the King but, not any less exhilarating. And the fact that the Wingless One was with him accentuated this sensation. Being alive to experiment this again was a blessing for him.

Soon, they had reached their goal and Enkidu contemplated the surroundings with a satisfied look. It didn't take him long to spot the two women headed in the same general direction than man and wyrm.

One of them had auburn hair and was shorter than her companion, her body reminiscent of those of the priestesses of Ishtar.The other one had hair on lighter side of brown and pale skin. She appeared to look a bit ill. Both wearing clothes of this era. Something that looked quite impractical to the man of another age.

With an eyebrow raised, he eyed the Wingless One. He felt a new sentiment of closeness with the scaly beast.


"Should we ask them for directions? They might know of a place we could use for ourselves."



****


Arcueid - Tokyo Tower


Arcueid watched the King laugh in earnest with mild interest.

You are not what I had expected from an Ancestor, certainly.

For a reason beyond her understanding, he seemed to have liked what she had said, in spite of the fact that she had been serious. She showed a pouting face when the blond man spoke once more.

I must disappoint you - I have only one friend. Only one man is my equal, and throughout all of time this will never change.

Her face stiffened. Once again, the regal leader of Uruk clearly stated that it was something he would never reconsider. A hard determination. It only told her of how high he esteemed this unique friend of his.

She knew of this man. Gilgamesh, a proud king who ruled the most glorious Kingdom of humanity. His story inspired many legends but even his might could never last for long.  His story took a dark turn after a certain event. She had heard horrible tales of his cruelty and how much of a tyrant he was. But right now, all she could see was someone honoring a precious comrade. She envied him for having such a precious bond. And so, when the next question came, she was lost in her thoughts.

What of you, Ancestor?

Contemplating bitter regrets and joyful memories of her own, she didn't hear the King's question. Just for an instant, only the face of boy with glasses occupied her mind. Instead, with her gaze finally meeting his, she said.

"You're not as cold as I imagined you."

Her glare became harsher.

"I had heard of a Golden King around these parts. Someone ruling a business like they would rule over slaves. A being with a presence like no other.  Someone willing to wipe out those who would stand in their way."

She paused, never breaking eye contact.

"I initially intended to crush you where you stood, King of Uruk."

Murderous intent seeped through her voice.

"You see, I can't have a tyrant engrossed in himself rule over this city."

Her serious expression softened and she gave him a smile.

"But seeing you talk warmly of your friend made me change my mind. You proved me that you're not a heartless person. You've shown genuine interest upon meeting again with this phoenix. And finally, you didn't attack me after I pushed and provoked you to that extent."

She offered him a handshake.

"You might be exactly the person the Nexus need. As you know, it is not my role to protect humanity. But you know how to rule. I only request that you stay fair as you do so."

[Lycodrake]

Lycodrake Aptera - No Man’s Land periphery

As a messenger and runner for [Athena] Nike, not to mention a creature built for such tasks with a muscled body like big cats and wargs, Lycodrake Aptera easily kept pace with his humanoid companion.

Who was obviously reveling in running freely and seemed to become increasingly at ease as they move farther and further away from the taller buildings. The air subtly felt more natural and less tainted by over-zealous human mechanizations.

Just spending the time running with Enkidu seemed to bond them together as allies and friends. While the wingless dragon saw himself as a nice blend of “civilized” and “wild”, he enjoyed both and understood those that pursued one or the other. Though it was odd that his “wild” companion was a human, but odd was “normal”.

When he finally felt the balance truly shift towards being more supernatural and natural than man-made, Lycodrake had a good idea that they had begun to enter “No Man’s Land”.

One of them had auburn hair and was shorter than her companion, her body reminiscent of those of the priestesses of Ishtar. The other one had hair on lighter side of brown and pale skin. She appeared to look a bit ill. Both were wearing clothes of this era. Something that looked quite impractical to the man of another age.

With an eyebrow raised, he eyed the Wingless One. He felt a new sentiment of closeness with the scaly beast.

"Should we ask them for directions? They might know of a place we could use for ourselves."

The wingless one eyed the two humans. Even from this distance he could tell that they smelled of blood, but he had little room to talk: he was and would remain a carnivore. The older one, he knew, was what humanoids would call alluring and extremely attractive. But he was, is, and never will be human, so that attraction was alien - though he understood the reasons. This was mainly because he had grown up with Athena and understood, but did not feel, what human attraction was.

He nodded to his green haired companion.  If approaching them for directions turned out to be a bad idea, he could hold his own and would aim to assist Enkidu in doing the same.

[Daiki]

Enkidu - No Man's Land periphery

Enkidu nodded. He walked up to the couple and stopped an instant before speaking. He addressed the dragon with nervous glance.

"Perhaps it would work better if you did the talk. I won't be able to interpret what they say anyway."

He gave it a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I trust you with this. If anything goes wrong, simply hit the ground once with your tail and it will be the signal to run."

Fighting was always an option but not necessary the best available.

[Lycodrake]

Lycodrake Aptera - No Man's Land

Enkidu nodded. He walked up to the couple and stopped an instant before speaking. He addressed the dragon with nervous glance.

"Perhaps it would work better if you did the talk. I won't be able to interpret what they say anyway."

He gave it a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"I trust you with this. If anything goes wrong, simply hit the ground once with your tail and it will be the signal to run."

Fighting was always an option but not necessary the best available.

Lycodrake normally wasn't one to address strangers; he liked them to talk first for various reasons, but in this situation it was best that he push back against that insecurity. He just hoped that neither human would freak out. The scent of blood hung around the older one - he would have to be careful if that was an indication of a warrior.

"Excuse us, ladies. My friend and I are new to No Man's Land. Do you know of a place where we could find a place to stay - an unclaimed territory or piece of land?"

[Elf]

"My! Is this all yours? All of it?"

Gabriel smiled and said, "It's not much, but the bedroom, the adjoining bathroom, and study are all mine.  Godmother would probably give me more room if I wished, but she does let me have free reign in the kitchen as long as I clean up after myself."

He knew it might sound odd that he lived with his Godmother, but in Nexus City she didn't want him by himself and he felt the same.  It was very much a "who's watching who" situation.

"Well then, Gabriel, were you not going to so, so many things to me?" she said faux-snidely over her shoulder, wanting to tease him just a bit more, before he overwhelmed her completely.

Gabriel chuckled and moved towards her.  He stroked her hair back from her face before leaning towards her.  "Yes, in good time.  Precious things should be savored," he said with a smile before leaning forward to capture her lips with his own.

******

Once they got to the outskirts to No-Mans Land, Ash parked the V-Rod and made sure it was secure with an enchanted chain.  It wasn't Wynn's work, but a vampire witch's that Gabriel and Forest both had contact with.  Ash didn't trust Wynn at all, but Wynn indeed was a selfish bitch.

She looked at her progeny and said, "Let me do the talking and do not make eye contact."

As they walked into the oddly industrial yet gothic side of town, she noticed that there was a fucking wingless dragon walking next to a very androgynous being with a scent Ash had never smelled before.  It smelled something like earth and clay, but not.  There was something exotic about it as well; like some of the perfumes that the bible spoke of. 

They walked up to the two of them, the green haired being saying things to the dragon in  a language she'd never heard of before, and Ash spoke several languages herself.  They approached, their gate light and nonthreatening. 

"Excuse us, ladies. My friend and I are new to No Man's Land. Do you know of a place where we could find a place to stay - an unclaimed territory or piece of land?"

Ash's jaw dropped, she pointed, and said, "You're a bloody dragon."