Cross Effects 3.0 - November 16, 2014—April 13, 2015

[Cherry Lover]

Is she offering to contract with me? Rider thought.

"Yes. I don't have any source of prana currently. I'm OK for now, but if I don't find one soon, I will need to search for alternative sources", she said, still holding onto Sakura. "I believe my contract with my Sakura is still in place, though, even if I'm not currently drawing any prana through it".

Rider loosened her grip slightly, indicating to Sakura that she could pull away if she wished. However, she did not let go. As long as Sakura wanted to remain in her embrace, Rider would allow her to. After all she'd been through, the poor girl deserved all the love and affection she could get.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Ignoring the awful pun offered by the stranger, Costin nodded in agreement to the swordsman's question, glancing briefly at him with a worried look.
Costin was pleased to see the damage from the explosion was mostly undone, the magician had somehow healed his wounds. He was glad, after all, it would be most unfortunate if such a great foe were to die in any other way but by his very hands. The vampire would never have accepted a victory by circumstances, a great warrior skilled enough to cut him down like he did deserved a warrior's death, and a warrior's death he would receive.
But the man still looked cold, would he be alright for long? Only time would tell.

"No matter, I will handle this issue afterwards, for now, there are more pressing matters... ", he thought.

Thus, he proceeded to point at the armoured figure, a slight chill on the back of his head as he felt a tingling sensation on his feet, his body felt slightly heavier since the explosion, but he paid no mind to it. Surely it was just the cold getting to him.

"Yes, what right grants you permission of impeding a fair duel in such a fashion?", he inquired as a dry scowl formed across his face.

The man was a powerful mage, he was sure of it, but the vampire needed to confirm if he was involved in the Association's machinations.

But for now, he solely wished to find out why did he interrupt their clash so abruptly.

[SINIB]

Is she offering to contract with me? Rider thought.

"Yes. I don't have any source of prana currently. I'm OK for now, but if I don't find one soon, I will need to search for alternative sources", she said, still holding onto Sakura. "I believe my contract with my Sakura is still in place, though, even if I'm not currently drawing any prana through it".

Rider loosened her grip slightly, indicating to Sakura that she could pull away if she wished. However, she did not let go. As long as Sakura wanted to remain in her embrace, Rider would allow her to. After all she'd been through, the poor girl deserved all the love and affection she could get.

I was right! She doesn't have a prana source!

Sakura broke free from the hug and grabbed Rider's hands, holding them together tightly. She moved her upper body closer, stareing intently into Rider's square pupils.

"Rider!"

Sakura took a moment to compose herself.

"Form a contract with me, I'm not going to lose you again! I refuse to! I refuse..."

Sakura began to tear up again.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

“Now, keep calm big boy. No reason to get so hot and bothered.”

"Get hot and bothered, ha," I mumbled as her leg rose out of my sight, my face still red. "I'll have you know I didn't get anything. I was born hot. And bothered. By nurses."

 As soon as her weight was out of them, I shook my hands a bit and wiggled my fingers. My turn.

I bent my knees, did a little bounce on the mattress to get me some momentum and jumped. I tried to grab the rim of the dumpster to do like a crazy parkour trick and go nonstop from the mattress to the ground outside, but something slimy made my hand slip and made me slam into the rim, abs first. Thankfully my other hand hadn't let go, so I didn't need a redo. I just pushed myself up, did a twisty-twisty and lowered myself normally.

"So, anyway, what do I call you?" I ask, restraining myself from making dumb suggestions that were really quite funny.

But dumb and no.

[Kat]

Mordred

Somehow she managed to escape the site without the mad warrior pursuing. Reinforcement finally wore down, as well as her spear deactivated. She collapsed from whole stress, panting from exhaustion. Damn it! she cursed in frustration, feeling ashamed that she backed down from the fight leaving others to deal with that monster and risk their lives. Her actions were unbecoming for a knight she claimed to be, and she wanted to make up for that display as soon as she could, even if it put her at risk.

But for now, she lay on the ground, unable to move around for a while. And wondering what kind of unpleasant surprise awaited her because of her spear's curse.

[Kaze]

LANCELOT

Something unseen slammed into the dark knight without any warning, sending him skidding across the ground for several dozen meters, his decades of experience and grueling training preventing his grip on the weapon from slipping even as he tumbled. Before there was even time to stand back up, a ball of fire shot at him like a rocket. He reflexively tucked his weapon against his chest and rolled to the side, managing to avoid the worst of the flames. Even so, the searing heat burned at him, and the berserker roared his hatred out for all the world to hear as he returned to his feet.

Lancelot focused on the enemy Servant floating in the air and threw himself into a sprint with an animalistic howl. A compact car was parked on the side of the road, near enough to his path for the mad warrior to take it into account. Switching his grip on the improvised battle axe to the left hand, he grabbed the underside of the car with his free hand and lifted the front into the air in one smooth motion, angling the vehicle straight up into the air. The next instant he crashed into the upturned car while grabbing hold of it for stability. The former knight of the lake was now pushing the vehicle along with him, effectively using it as a makeshift shield against ranged attacks. He continued the charge on the enemy, rapidly closing to melee range.


EMIYA SHIROU

Shirou noticed a vague sense of malignance and foreboding coming from the girl on his shoulder. It was gone just as quickly as it had come, but he was certain it had been there. He knew enough to tell that there was something unnatural about Mia, but it was impossible to know in what way. With his own prana mostly drained, she could probably turn this into a really bad evening if she took offense to something or someone. He felt a creeping sense of déjà vu, although he couldn’t quite put his finger on the cause of that feeling.

Lawrence voiced his desire to get somewhere warmer, but the two vampires continued to argue about…blood and deities? He barely even cared by this point, he just wanted to get away from Forest, the new vampire, whatever was bothering the child temporarily in his charge and enlist in Saber’s help. The thought was still a very strange one. His irritation growing, the archer considered just walking right past the two vampires in the stairway, but he wasn’t nearly comfortable enough with the situation to get so close while vulnerable like this.

[Elf]

Forest

The blond's sardonic grin flashed teeth as she clutched the sample of her blood.  I need to burn this, she thought. 

"It's a better accomplishment than ruling through repression and fear-mongering," Forest said, her Celtic accent thickening slightly.  "However on the other side of town there's a whole group of vampires for you to preach your gospel to.  I have other things to do."

She turned to Law and said, "I'm driving the 67 Camaro, do try to keep up."  Her grin was back to sardonic teasing rather than the malice she wasn't really trying to contain a moment ago.  To Calico she said, "Don't worry, we'll get you to Saber and she can prove I'm not some evil blood sucking fiend out to enslave you or whatever twaddle is making you uncomfortable,  Emiya Shirou."

Then Queen's Killer Queen chimed on her phone again.

"I'd swear she might say she's not king anymore, but she acts like it," she said with a grumble as she pulled out the phone while storming down the steps.


Saber

"Maybe this 'Genestealer' is acting upon its own wishes and turned against its cult.  Normally things of such power do not like to be ordered around by beings it considers lesser," Saber said as she was pulling out her phone and dialing Forest's number.

She looked at the newcomer and said, "I have an expert consultant on her way.  I am going to contact her to inquire about her whereabouts."  She quickly dialed Forest's number and waited for the vampire to pick up.

After a moment or two, Forest's Celtic accented voice said, "I might have no qualms about breaking the speed limit and speeding at night, but bloody hell I can't teleport."

"You seem annoyed," Saber said, tilting her head at Forest's tone, "Is something amiss?"

"Oh, I've had a sodding bang up night so far.  See, I found an Emiya Shirou," the vampire said, "And he tried to kill me because I'm an evil, blood sucking fiend.  He's still not convinced despite me not killing him in self-defense.  Also, he really wants to see you."

Saber felt a combination of ice and fire warring in her veins as her chest tightened.  She had told Forest about the Paradox of Emiya Shirou and Archer one night after too much pizza and mead.  The vampire had found it fascinating, and her normal apathy was gone for a few moments.  Long enough that Saber indulged her by answering her barrage of questions, and it was pleasant to talk about her friend and former Master even though the Archer she was close with was worlds away.

"Red hair or white?" Saber asked, turning away from Henry and the new comer.

Forest's voice softened and she said, "Both."

"May . . . I wish to speak with him," Saber said, straightening to her full height.

Forest

The blond turned around and threw Calico the phone.  "Calico, Saber wants to say, 'Hi'.  And please don't shoot my phone after your done."

[Kat]

Deborah

"It's a better accomplishment than ruling through repression and fear-mongering," Forest said, her Celtic accent thickening slightly.  "However on the other side of town there's a whole group of vampires for you to preach your gospel to.  I have other things to do."

"Exactly, my Covenant represents that side of El Shaddai and I'm never going to be ashamed of serving the divine will" Deborah defiantly admitted she has no guilt about what she does "I shall depart too. So many duties, so little time."

Saying that Deborah left the rooftop for the stairs. 

[Panda]

LANCELOT

Something unseen slammed into the dark knight without any warning, sending him skidding across the ground for several dozen meters, his decades of experience and grueling training preventing his grip on the weapon from slipping even as he tumbled. Before there was even time to stand back up, a ball of fire shot at him like a rocket. He reflexively tucked his weapon against his chest and rolled to the side, managing to avoid the worst of the flames. Even so, the searing heat burned at him, and the berserker roared his hatred out for all the world to hear as he returned to his feet.

Lancelot focused on the enemy Servant floating in the air and threw himself into a sprint with an animalistic howl. A compact car was parked on the side of the road, near enough to his path for the mad warrior to take it into account. Switching his grip on the improvised battle axe to the left hand, he grabbed the underside of the car with his free hand and lifted the front into the air in one smooth motion, angling the vehicle straight up into the air. The next instant he crashed into the upturned car while grabbing hold of it for stability. The former knight of the lake was now pushing the vehicle along with him, effectively using it as a makeshift shield against ranged attacks. He continued the charge on the enemy, rapidly closing to melee range.

A car? He's using a fucking car?! As a shield?!

That's...actually pretty cool.

Not when it's bringing this fight exactly where we don't want it to be!

Also true.

Adjutor is already preparing another salvo of Shield Concepts, but it will take a moment before they're ready, definitely long enough for the literally Urban Knight to get into melee range. In the meanwhile, he also cordons off a specific amount of mana just in case he has to use the Armor.

[SINIB]

Something unseen slammed into the dark knight without any warning, sending him skidding across the ground for several dozen meters, his decades of experience and grueling training preventing his grip on the weapon from slipping even as he tumbled. Before there was even time to stand back up, a ball of fire shot at him like a rocket. He reflexively tucked his weapon against his chest and rolled to the side, managing to avoid the worst of the flames. Even so, the searing heat burned at him, and the berserker roared his hatred out for all the world to hear as he returned to his feet.

Lancelot focused on the enemy Servant floating in the air and threw himself into a sprint with an animalistic howl. A compact car was parked on the side of the road, near enough to his path for the mad warrior to take it into account. Switching his grip on the improvised battle axe to the left hand, he grabbed the underside of the car with his free hand and lifted the front into the air in one smooth motion, angling the vehicle straight up into the air. The next instant he crashed into the upturned car while grabbing hold of it for stability. The former knight of the lake was now pushing the vehicle along with him, effectively using it as a makeshift shield against ranged attacks. He continued the charge on the enemy, rapidly closing to melee range.

Faust leapt backwords when he saw the berserker dodge the fire spell, landing about 5 meters above the middle of the hospital. He was about to launch a third attack when he saw the knight slam into the car.

He's using it as a shield, and now it's covered by the same blackened evil substance as the streetlight. That must be a noble phantasm of some kind.

Faust first launched a second fireball at the car in the hope his assessment had been wrong, and with a second stroke of his arm he launched a blazing malestrom at the ground in the man's path, melting the asphalt, leaving it superheated boiling tar.

[Puck-Chan]

Mordred

Somehow she managed to escape the site without the mad warrior pursuing. Reinforcement finally wore down, as well as her spear deactivated. She collapsed from whole stress, panting from exhaustion. Damn it! she cursed in frustration, feeling ashamed that she backed down from the fight leaving others to deal with that monster and risk their lives. Her actions were unbecoming for a knight she claimed to be, and she wanted to make up for that display as soon as she could, even if it put her at risk.

But for now, she lay on the ground, unable to move around for a while. And wondering what kind of unpleasant surprise awaited her because of her spear's curse.

Puck

"Brrr!"

It was awfully cold. The elf fairy could feel icy daggers stabbing into its lithe body. Damn those finicky hobos and their burning barrels, trying to eat him to make up for a late night dinner. May they burn in hell, hm! But hey, at least he stole a scarf from them... somehow. Not that he felt bad, since these assholes tried to eat him despite sharing his dust with them to heal those sores they got.

"This thing smells," Puck commented to himself with distaste.

He wore it like a snug toga and turban, the end result looked rather comical as he continued to fly through this frosty night.

"Hm?"

At the corner of his eye, someone was laying on the white snow. A young girl in armor, with what felt like had some trace of magical influence.

"Ho ho ho~ Perhaps I should help this, ojou-sama~?"

He flew down to her location in frightening velocity.

"HEEELLLOOOO~!"

The moment he landed on right between where her breasts were, he spun around flashily for his sudden entrance before stopping to face her face in a majestic pose.

"How may I help you, milady~?"

It must be one odd and somewhat funny spectacle to see some fairy in a turban and toga with the rest of the filthy scarf meandering away from him.

And at the same time, smelly.

[Kat]

Mordred

"Damn it, either I'm hallucinating again or that's some odd hob..." Mordred cringed at the odd spectacle before her eyes. Indeed, maybe she was going bonkers like some of her kind were wont to. It was a stressful night. "If you are a hob, I don't need a pet one. Shoo" She tried to dismiss the fairy like creature before her eyes even if she could not be fagged to move a finger because of her exhaustion.

[Puck-Chan]

Mordred

"Damn it, either I'm hallucinating again or that's some odd hob..." Mordred cringed at the odd spectacle before her eyes. Indeed, maybe she was going bonkers like some of her kind were wont to. It was a stressful night. "If you are a hob, I don't need a pet one. Shoo" She tried to dismiss the fairy like creature before her eyes even if she could not be fagged to move a finger because of her exhaustion.

Puck

"How rude!" the fairy puffed his cheeks in indignation, "I am insulted, Madam! How dare thee?!"

Somehow from the combination of the toga and turban, Puck is somehow wearing what looks like a nobleman's clothes snugly fit for him.

"I shall prove it to you that I more than a mere pet! PUCK FLASH!"

Bright light would envelope the armored girl, most likely to blind her temporarily. But, his healing dust would also come to rest upon her figure.

"How's dat?" the elf swaggered with both hands on his waist, "Am I still just a mere pet to you?"

[Kat]

Mordred

The light indeed dazzled Mordred, but she felt like she could move her limbs once again. "Huh?"  She stood up slowly, a bit amazed how quickly that dust of the hob made her recover from physical exhaustion. "Yup, you are one weird hob. Small ones like you are usually not so talkative..."  Eyeing the strange creature floating around, she warned it "But you know, little guy, it's dangerous out there. Raging maniacs in black armor, some stuck religious nut trying to kill anything non-human. So don't follow me around, if you treasure your hide."

[Puck-Chan]

Mordred

The light indeed dazzled Mordred, but she felt like she could move her limbs once again. "Huh?"  She stood up slowly, a bit amazed how quickly that dust of the hob made her recover from physical exhaustion. "Yup, you are one weird hob. Small ones like you are usually not so talkative..."  Eyeing the strange creature floating around, she warned it "But you know, little guy, it's dangerous out there. Raging maniacs in black armor, some stuck religious nut trying to kill anything non-human. So don't follow me around, if you treasure your hide."

"Pfft! Who do you take me for? A fly? Please, lady," Puck could barely hold back a chuckle, "Don't make me laugh. Hue."

Oh if only she saw what Guts went through. A lot of this stuff is just the usual stuff the swordsman and fairy duo experienced together. What else could be scary?

"It's the same-old same-old no matter what I go, lassy! I am eager for le adventure no matter how perilous~," says the fairy as this time he's wearing a pirate's outfit with his trademark chestnut burr being brandished like a cutlass, "Arr!"

"Speaking of raging maniacs in black armor, is there one using a sword that's overcompensating for something?"