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

[Knick]

Hamara

Hamara watched as the monstrosity bursted with movement, and attempted to escape behind the smoke formed by the metal chariot. But his spears followed a few seconds later, being shot as individual lances rather than a constant stream as well as being slightly more spread out, to try and account for possible movement.

And so, the five spears of light blindly pierced the smoke cover, trying to hit the target behind it.

Behind the smoke one of the spear impacted with one of the Pegasus’ wings, ripping a massive hole it in, while the other four harmlessly passed by, impacting the ground behind.

Hearing that one of his spears did not impact upon the ground he stopped firing.

Then he began to walk in a circle around the smoke, trying to confirm the impact on the abomination.

And as he stepped over the tar a highly condensed white barrier of his light appeared between his feet and the ground, allowing him to walk harmlessly just above the molten tar.

[Panda]

Henderson sits there for a moment, then Rupert flashes back into memory. Forgetting about Traffic Pylon Jesus, Henderson looks around the still smoky car, notes that the atomica blunt isn't even half finished yet, and takes another hit, not bother to put the blunt back down as he reaches back and grabs Betty. Then he realizes something.

"Smells like ass," Henderson says, having had enough personal experience with that particular odor to recognize it. He takes a moment to peer out of what used to be a window to see the ground below him taking on a radically different consistency than what he is used to. Said gooey ground is also much warmer. With this in mind, Henderson activates the AC, then realizes that the front of the Buick seems to be sinking. Henderson sighs for a moment, having wanted to save this particular trick for later, and flips a switch that deploys a massive inflatable raft under the car and empties several compressed air canisters hidden throughout the car, inflating it almost instantly and popping it out of the tarpit, with Henderson backing off of the raft soon after.

Opening up the door, Henderson allows a sigh of disgust as he pulls the raft back in, the air still rank with the smell of ass as Henderson deflates the raft and folds it back up before popping open the trunk and tossing it in next to Lurid Lucy.

Henderson then moves around the tarpit, Betty still in hand, uncaring of the random youth sprawled out on the ground as he makes his way into the building. Sure enough, Henderson finds Rupert inside, missing the paintjob but otherwise undamaged.

"Good thing you've got all that kevlar," Henderson notes before bringing the bird out with him as he gets back in his car, considering where to go next.

[Kaze]

EMIYA SHIROU

Shirou blinked at the sincerity in Forest’s tone. He would have expected sardonicism from her, as she had clearly mastered both English and Japanese. Seeing her honest like this he couldn’t help but recognize how beautiful she was, with her lithe and toned figure and shining blue eyes. He had to turn away, this was no time to be admiring a girl’s figure, let alone that of a vampire.

“I need the practice,” He said, still in his rudimentary English. Mia then chose that moment to grab onto his arm, eliciting another smile from the freelancer. He was glad for the distraction from the bewildering blond. As they continued walking a sudden impulse struck him and he pulled up on Mia’s arm, suspending the little girl between himself and Forest for a brief moment.

Despite how much he wanted to help her, something about the tune she was humming felt off within him. Illya had a song she liked to sing sometimes, a ballad about drowning… he couldn’t remember the name or tune anymore, but he remembered how it had unsettled him when he learned what the theme was.

Law peeled off from their group and motioned for him to follow. Shirou hesitated for a moment, looking between the man and Mia, before letting go of her hand and giving her hair a few gentle strokes. She had seemed to like it when Forest had done the same. At that, he turned and followed to Law to his car.

He had a lot to say about his ride. Shirou was able to understand most of it, but he really wasn’t too interested. What did catch his attention was Law’s amusing mispronunciation of his name and inquiry as to whether he habitually tried to make people explode.

“Sometimes I do. I take position on high towers and watch the city. Supernatural criminals are hard to convince without explosions.”


AKIHOLARME

Aki was surprised by Rebeca’s sudden alteration in demeanor, but it was a welcome change.

“Yes, that would be appreciated.” The last dragonborn was a loner by nature, but this Nexus was so very alien compared to Skyrim’s holds, it would be useful to have a guide, at least for now.

“Where is your other companion?”

[Knick]

Rebeca

Why is she wearing armor?

Hehe, looks like the freak show is really coming to town.

Bet she comes from a place that does not even have running water.

Fucking hell her armor is kind of ominous.

These were just a sample of the thought Rebeca heard about the new arrival. She had to agree on the armor part though; the pure black armor was a bit intimidating. But now that she mentioned it, where was Donkey? “Uhh, he should be back soon, I think, he just went to go get his bike…” She trailed off, looking down the road the way he left.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider felt Caster jump on the back of Pegasus, and made to take off as the spears of light flew past her. But, before she could get into the air, the horse gave off an agonised

cry, and started bucking. Rider looked around and noticed a large smoking hole in Pegasus' wing. There was no way Pegasus could fly safely with a hole like that in the wing

Shit, thought Rider.

With Pegasus like that, there was no way she could fly away, and she couldn't easily carry both Sakura and Faust herself.

Hmm, Pegasus can't fly normally, but that doesn't mean he can't move along the ground....

Rider moved the still-whining Pegasus towards the hospital doors, making sure Adjutor was out of the way.

"Hold on to me tightly, Sakura!", she shouted as she took out her bridle. "Bellerophon!"

With that, there was a flash of light as Pegasus charged through the hospital doors, down the corridor and out the other side of the building. Now safely out of their attacker's sight, Rider cancelled Bellerophon, and rode Pegasus towards an alleyway where she could be sure they would not be followed.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

Well, nobody's caught and tortured me so far. Considering I'd just gotten to my bike, I guess that meant nobody would, either.

Lame.

"I'm still in a dream..." I mumbled to myself while I messed with the combination lock. "Snake eater..."

Six six six went on the lock, and having decided it liked those numbers, the lock opened up. Satanic bike lock, my god. Call the police.

I undid it from the fence it was stuck on and locked it back up on its little handle thingy on my bike.

I felt something brush past my ear and turned around as fast as a guy who's turning around.

There was nothing except an empty street filled with people who just got their timmies. Huh.

Well, I am in magic-dimensional town. No doubt some ghost or wraith or something is out indulging its fetish for brushing people's ears sensually. No problem man, glad to have been of service.

"Yeah, that wasn't weird at all."

I turned back to my bike, to find it had turned into a bucking stallion covered in a king's cape.

Rather it was still my bike but like, for some reason it had my old, green army surplus coat on it. What the fuck. This dimensional nonsense is getting on my nerves.

...Eh, might as well equip.

Fit like a glove made for people who have hands that would fit comfortably inside. I patted myself down, somewhat glad for the lining in this chilly weather, and felt a bulge in my pocket. I took it out and found my black and grey bandanna. Sweet!

"Oh yeah, feels good to be back," I said to myself after bandanna-ing myself, and for some reason I could feel sailor jupiter look at me smugly again. Fuck off, bitch. I make the bandanna look good.

I am so not going to look this gift horse in the mouth. Though, horsey could have brought my wallet too. And a different shirt.

Hm, this bike pickup trip took a little longer than expected, Rebecca might be getting worried in her back alley. I got up on my bike and drove off, coat sorta flapping in the breeze.

Took like five seconds to get there, and some armored person was chilling with Rebecca. Nice look, very metal. With rebecca's dye and color contacts and this person's outfit, it's like I was really at a convention.

And thanks to my shirt, I felt like a part of the show.

"Hey Rebecca, got the bike back." I say, hitting the brakes on the rustbucket and forcing it to a stop. I nod at the armored person as greeting. "Hi, call me Donkey."

Might as well be polite to the person in heavy armor totting weaponry, couldn't hurt.

[SINIB]

Sakura looked confusedly around the alley. That happened really fast! She looked around, holding her head with one hand and holding Rider with the other. She gasped for air, after a few seconds she managed to catch her breath long enough to choke out “
"Rider, please, don't use, Pegasus,over and over, again," Sakura said, struggling to get the words out through her gasping. "Not, that often. I can't-" a brief choking sound interrupted her. "I can't take that much." She stopped to catch her breath again before continuing. “I may, have alot of prana, but my circuits, can’t handle that much use, at the same time!” She coughed, and collapsed forward onto Rider’s back, clutching to her tube top for dear life. “Please don’t do this, unless you absolutely-” She paused a final time to gather her strength, ”have to, ok?”

Faust could barely follow what had happened. Even though the pegasus seemed to have suffered a grievous injury, Rider had seemingly used a Noble Phantasm to force the horse to do her bidding. He listened with concern as Sakura gasped out her words. Rider seems to have drained Sakura low, her horse must be fairly prana intensive. 

“Rider, please refrain from overusing your powers. Sakura is maintaining two servants now, for better or for worse. Please think about this in the future.”

[Knick]

Hamara

By the time Hamara had walked enough around the smoke the abomination had begun taken off on the back of a beast though the building, with the fallen and one of his beloved sisters, at breakneck speeds.

Quickly a larger spear formed, one of the white orbs fusing with it, increasing its glow tremendously, it would reach should it be ready in time. However by the time it was prepared they were already out of sight.

Hamara simply stood there for a moment before the spear dispersed. He had allowed a monstrosity to escape, while taking one of his sisters with it. He will reflect on such an occurrence in time, and he will not let him weigh upon him. There must never be regret.

Even if he could have avoided this result by not restraining himself.

But even still he knew more of his might was not necessary. And so he would not use it.

Only what is needed, only how much as is needed. That is one of Hamara's truest principles. Never excess, never waste.
 
He did not care that the beast was gone, for eventually he would cleanse the entirety of this place, this one included among the numbers. He only hoped his sister, already on the precipice, would not fall and have to be cleansed as well.

And so, with no other reason to stay, Hamara began to walk away, the Tar having cooled to a solid state in the cold air.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider listened with a mixture of extreme concern and confusion as Sakura explained her lack of prana to Rider in a very laboured manner, before collapsing onto Rider's back, holding tightly onto her top. In particular, she was very confused by the mention of her circuits not being able to handle it.

I've never had that problem with my Sakura, her circuits have always been able to supply prana faster than I could possibly use it, and Pegasus isn't all that prana-intensive to summon. Maybe magic in her world works slightly differently. I'll have to take that into account in the future.

Still, Rider felt rather guilty. She had used quite a lot of prana in the last 30 minutes or so, and Sakura was now supporting two servants rather than one. Plus, Caster had not exactly been holding back either. So, it wasn't really surprising that Sakura was feeling the effects somewhat, even if the part about her circuits not being able to cope was rather unexpected.

Before she could apologise, though, Caster spoke up, his tone much more hostile and condescending.

“Rider, please refrain from overusing your powers. Sakura is maintaining two servants now, for better or for worse. Please think about this in the future", he said.

Rider couldn't believe his attitude. She'd just saved them from being shot at by magical beams that would almost certainly have instantly killed Sakura had they hit, and he was complaining about her doing so.

"I am sorry, Sakura. I did not mean to make you suffer like this", Rider said, the sadness, guilt and concern clear in her voice. "In the future, I will keep this in mind when I consider when to use my abilities."

Then, she turned to Caster.

"Caster, what else would you have had me do? Leave us there to get shot at?", she said, angrily.

"I hate seeing Sakura suffer like this, but I would rather this than her having a hole like the one through Pegasus' wing in her chest", she continued, more softly, her concern for Sakura and guilt clear in the way she spoke.

Then, Rider lifted one arm behind her and over Sakura's head, rotated the top half of her body around so that she was facing towards Sakura and gently placed her arms around her master, still remaining seated on Pegasus with her legs facing the opposite direction from her arms and head.

"Sakura, I'm going to have to de-summon Pegasus now. He can't fly like this, and I can't control him easily in this state.

Caster, can you lead the way back home? I'll carry Sakura", she added, awaiting Sakura's confirmation to dismount and then de-summon her mount.

[Elf]

Forest

The blond blinked as Mia sang, a slightly eerie tune as ghost children literally materialized out of thin air.  Once Mia's song was finished, they were gone just as they came.  The vampire kept a hold of Mia's hand, and she had to smile as Shirou swung her up to keep the not-girl suspended between them.

It was something she wanted to do with Gabriel when he had been a kid, but had no one to do it with. 

Thoughts about her beloved godson were bittersweet and made her chest tightened.

She grinned at Shirou's want of wanting to practice English.  She nodded and said, "I understand.  Languages are sort of like muscles.  The less you use them, the more likely they're to wither way in your brain."

She winched at Law's mispronunciation of "Shirou".  "It's Shi-ro," she called out before looking down to Mia.  "Come on then, they're being silly."

Then she proceeded to lead the girl to her beloved 67' Camaro while the boys went to the Firebird.


Saber

Saber whisked Rin into the crime scene, a few eyebrows of some black and white's going up as she did.

She met up with Henry and the other man who's name she didn't really bother to remember.  She went up to Henry and said, "This is Tohsaka Rin.  She is an acquaintance of mine and a magus of renown.  She maybe able to assist us."

Saber gestured to the blood and the dead boy.  She asked, "Do you have any ideas on what could have done this, Rin?"

[Arch-Magos Winter]

"Ohhhh-kaaaaaaay. Lawrence turned the key, the Firebird whining, then finally growling to life. "That is uh, sort of what I didn't want to hear. Not that it makes you sound like some crazy superhero and or murderous vigilante... OK, that's exactly what it makes you sound like. Sorry to break it to you." Lawrence rambled as the heater in the car finally started up, chill starting to fade.

Once again. You tempt fate.

Fate's a total whore who spreads her legs for any motherfucker who happens to fit some sort of vague prophecy. Hold on, I'll make one up now. 'Lo, the man of Calico and the Twice Born one hath need of ride, on wings of a Bird of Fire.'

I don't mean fate the metaphysical concept, I mean fate as in getting stabbed by a crazed vigilante.

Oh.

Lawrence silently pondered just how painful it would be to be knifed in his car again. He concluded within a few milliseconds it would be not only just as painful, but also instead of ruining a cab, he'd be ruining a rather classic car with his bloodstains. "Not that that's uh, a bad thing or anything. But seriously, it makes you sound kinda nuts when you have any answer to that other than 'no,' you know? Oh, and there's some liquor in the glove box. Feel free to take a swig."

[Knick]

Mia

Mia felt happy as she was lifted into the air by both Forest and Shirou. She felt as if she had something that was missing before, and it filled her with warmth. She felt Shirou let go of her hand and pet her head before walked with the meanie.

Mia steps slowed a bit as she watch him walk away, before letting herself being pulled along with Forest. She barely reacted at Forests words, instead just biting her lip as if worried about something.

When she reached the odd metal box she spoke up, “Umm, Shirou is going to the same place… I will see him again…. right?” She asked in a worried and uncertain tone. People had the tendency of vanishing after they left her, she didn’t want Shirou to vanish.

She really liked Forest too, but she felt like without both of them there something was just wrong.

As if it was a puzzle missing a vital piece.

[SINIB]

Sakura clutched Rider tightly, wrapping her arms around her stomach. She slowly began to close her eyes, the exhaustion quickly began to overtake her.

"I am sorry, Sakura. I did not mean to make you suffer like this", Rider said, the sadness, guilt and concern clear in her voice. "In the future, I will keep this in mind when I consider when to use my abilities."

“Mhm. Thank you... ” Sakura murmured in response, trying to stay awake as long as possible. She opened her mouth wide and let out a long yawn. “It hurts when you use too much prana, ya-know?” She barely even noticed when Caster reprimanded Rider, and only managed to process part of Rider’s response.

"Caster, what else would you have had me do? Leave us there to get shot at?", she said, angrily.

"I hate seeing Sakura suffer like this, but I would rather this than her having a hole like the one through Pegasus' wing in her chest", she continued, more softly, her concern for Sakura and guilt clear in the way she spoke.

“That man wouldn’t hurt me, Rider, don’t worry.” Sakura said in a barely audible whisper. “He would never do that, I promise...” She then wrapped her legs around Rider, “Rider, take me home, I’m tired. Goodnight, Rider.” Her head slumped down onto Rider’s shoulder, and she began breathing in a soft, regular pattern.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Faust clicked his tongue while Rider continued to tell him ‘how wrong he was.’

"Caster, what else would you have had me do? Leave us there to get shot at?", she said, angrily.

"I hate seeing Sakura suffer like this, but I would rather this than her having a hole like the one through Pegasus' wing in her chest"

Faust began to speak, but was interrupted by Sakura.

“That man wouldn’t hurt me, Rider, don’t worry.” Sakura said in a barely audible whisper. “He would never do that, I promise...”  She then wrapped her legs around Rider, “Rider, take me home, I’m tired. Goodnight, Rider.”

After waiting a few seconds to confirm Sakura was done speaking, he responded to Rider in a slow, deliberate voice.

“Rider, please, use your brain. It was clear that the man’s focus was solely directed at you, and you alone. And frankly, your flagrant wastefulness of prana is shocking. I mean, I’m not a prana jew, but we did you really need to summon the phantasmal beast to fly home? Really?” Faust cleared his throat, and continued in a condescending tone. “I can understand the use of it while you were fighting me, but dammit woman, all I am asking of you is to think of Sakura next time you want to ride on your pony.”

Faust began walking, leading the way back to the house.

[Kaze]

EMIYA SHIROU

A self-depreciating sneer formed on the archer’s face as Lawrence tried to talk his way around the fact that he thought his passenger was a murderous vigilante. Shirou generally didn’t interact with the common people he so often fought to save, but this wasn’t the first time he had inspired such a reaction. Even Luvia had been concerned for him. Tohsaka had yelled at him a few times for not looking after himself, but after his hair started greying, the few times they met she never spoke much and her expression was always distant.

“I fight to save people,” he said, his brow creasing as he concentrated on pronouncing the English words properly. He wished Luvia was around for him to practice with, for all her teasing she rarely laughed at his struggle to learn the confusing language. The first time he had visited and English speaking country the locals either found his speech hilarious or incomprehensible.

Shirou declined the offer of a drink as well as he watched the city’s nighttime lights pass by in the window. Alcohol was a taste he had no interest in acquiring.


AKIHOLARME

His name is Donkey? The dragonborn’s mouth twitched in amusement and she had to suppress the urge to refer to the dark skinned man as Ass instead.

“Ah, I assume you to be Rebeca’s other companion. Call me Aki. I am new to these parts and your friend has offered to let me travel with her for the moment,” she said while giving him a nod in greeting. His clothes, while odd, were just as strange and colorful as everyone else’s she had seen thus far. What truly caught her attention was the odd device he had been riding on. Its shape reminded her a little bit of the grinding wheels used by the weapon smiths she once frequented. “Interesting, it appears that the Nexus has no need for horses. I could find use from such a device.”

[Elf]

Forest

Forest bent down and took Mia's hand in both of hers, looking the girl in the eyes.  She gave the girl's hand a tiny squeeze and smiled.  "Of course you'll see Shirou again.  We just didn't want you to ride with Law because he's a bit of a meanie."

The sight of the black 1967 RS Z/28 Camaro always brought her a thrill of joy.  She kept it in pristine condition with regular tune-ups and the only real work it needed was body work when a werewolf shredded the door with his claws.  She also made sure she was the only one to drive it for the most part because most people weren't comfortable with a manual transmission while it felt odd for her not to drive with one.

She let Mia's hand go and opened the door for her before lifting the girl into the car and buckling her in.  Then she shut the door and slid into the driver's seat, buckling herself in.  Soon the mighty roar of the engine reverberated through the car and Forest smirked to herself as she pushed play on her Ipod and Dio's "I Speed at Night" came flooding through the speakers.