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

[Ivan The Mouse]

Michael couldn't even be bothered to wince at the sound of the girl screaming. Sounded like she wasn't used to combat at all.

...You know what, forget this. It isn't even fun anymore.

"My apologies for that," Michael says to the incapacitated girl, stepping out of her reach in case she tries to use her remaining weapon anyway, "I'll send a healer over as soon as I can. Fairly sure I can find one in this city. Regardless, that was extremely stupid of you. Given the pirate's interest in you, it would have been smarter to simply put yourself between him and the kid."

With that said, Michael then takes a look at the blonde, who just pulled the blade out of his arm like an idiot.

"That was unwise, kid," Michael says, "You're going to be losing use of that arm soon. The pirate might actually be a decent fight, but I'm not in the mood anymore. Kneecapping non-combatants just sucks all the fun right out of things. If you'll let me go now, I can get a healer and we can put this mess behind us. If not, that healer is going to be looking after three people. Either way, I'm leaving."

"Shut the fuck up, you fucking faggot!" Neo told him off angrily. "I'm this outfit's alchemist, I have goddamned healing potions! That's one reason why all of us here lasted like fucking roaches, because of me! And can handle this wound on my arm, asshole! I've been shot so many goddamned times in my fucking life, you condescending fuck! You really think this would put me out of the fight, huh?!"

"And you nigger, Yukina gave you a welcome and chow and this is what you give 'er back?! And now, you fucking think this can be over with you just saying sorry, as if it was all bullshit to you?! And you're expecting us to just let ya' go after that?"

"Listen, asshole! Yukina might forgive you for shattering her knee, but go ask this guy here!" He was referring to the pirate he was violently beating out of anger. "Oh, you dipshit... I'm pretty sure this guy here would give the same fucking answer as mine, and he'll want to fuck you in the ass!"

"Neo-san, it is alright." Yukina muttered to him, still weakly crying from pain, "Just let him go. Maybe he is satisfied now after he beat us all..." She sobbed. "...Maybe his thirst for blood has been subsided now. Just stop now. Just let him go in peace."

"...You retarded bitch." Neo said to her. "Is that fuckin' okay with ya'?"

"Yes, Neo-san." Yukina replied. "I am... I am pretty sure that anyone will know who is the real coward after this, right? Just let him go."

Neo then whispered, "...Damn."

"So go on, stranger." Yukina was crying. "Neo-san can heal us all. Just go and be happy..."

[YOLF]

Sarse

Sarse rolled his eyes, lips curling up just a bit with resignation, and settled Ann into his arms as he rose.

"Did you have plans for breakfast, your highness?" He asked while carrying Death herself bridal-style, his tone inflated with mock-reverence.


Tar

Henry's frown dropped slightly. The detective crossed his arms, peering at Mordred with a narrowed expression.

"No guarantee it's one I'll answer," he said. "But shoot."

[Kotomine_Rin]

"Lad, are you deaf or daft? I asked ya to get your hands off me...", the pirate growled as he felt the taste of blood fill his mouth. "If you just apologized-", but he did not have the time to finish, his face was pounded on the ground once again.

Oh, to hell with this shite.

It wasn't quite so pleasant anymore, and he honestly couldn't care less about an apology. Using his free hand, he grabbed onto his flintlock and pointed it at the blonde man.

"Now, quit it and tend to her wounds. You're a healer, so heal. I will handle that bastard."

[Kat]

Henry's frown dropped slightly. The detective crossed his arms, peering at Mordred with a narrowed expression.

"No guarantee it's one I'll answer," he said. "But shoot."

Mordred

"I apologize for stalking you two back then, but even from that nearby building I could see how gruesome that scene was. Do you have any clue who or what is behind this?" she asked "I cannot stomach that something like this might be still running around and killing innocents. This place is already dangerous as it is."

[Ivan The Mouse]

"Lad, are you deaf or daft? I asked ya to get your hands off me...", the pirate growled as he felt the taste of blood fill his mouth. "If you just apologized-", but he did not have the time to finish, his face was pounded on the ground once again.

Oh, to hell with this shite.

It wasn't quite so pleasant anymore, and he honestly couldn't care less about an apology. Using his free hand, he grabbed onto his flintlock and pointed it at the blonde man.

"Now, quit it and tend to her wounds. You're a healer, so heal. I will handle that bastard."

Neo was annoyed by the seafarer's manner of commanding him, so he slapped the flintlock with his backhand with the intention to get it out of his hands and said, "Fuck you, you don't have to tell me."

He then stood up from the ground and walked hastily towards Yukina, as he raised the Japanese lady from the ground and carried her in his arms. Neo looked at the injury and said, "Jesus fuck, we need to get to the medical room for this shit."

As began to walk inside the Manor, he then yelled to the pirate. "Give 'im hell or somethin', champ!"

[Panda]

...Are you serious? In the name of the Trinity, the Pantheon, and the Four Divines, are you people serious?!

Michael simply sighs, stepping aside to let Neo carry Yukina into the house. With that, he finds himself alone with the pirate.

"Before we begin, I'd like to make something perfectly clear," Michael says, "I'm not blood-thirsty. Can't fight someone again if they're dead, so it would be rather wasteful for me to kill my opponents unless I have to. That aside, fighting those two was not even slightly satisfying, so I'm washing my hands of this mess. Good day, pirate."

With that, Michael simply walks away, moving past the pirate as he makes his way off the estate, wanting to put as much distance between him and this insane mess as possible.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Lawrence

Law clung onto Abby for a few seconds after she gave the all clear, not entirely sure he was in one piece. Plus holding onto her was nice. "I'd rather not..." he mumbled, but eventually he let go, dragging himself too the door on slightly shaky legs before tapping at the doorbell several times.

I'm surprised you didn't grab onto her ass at the end there.

Hey, I have some tact man, and I'm not an asshole.

Whatever. You are aware there are some spirits inside?

I feel something, yeah. But I think Forest doesn't mean us harm through them.

Be careful.

Archer

The doorbell rang, and Archer looked away from his pancakes and the conversation to answer the door. He was curious as to the nature of the fae and the 'fucked up guardian angel' that the prana producing man had sensed, and courtesy dictated that someone answer the door. He came face to face with a rather scruffy looking man in a NPD sweatshirt and some blue shorts, who looked like he needed a shave and possibly some sleeping pills.

"Are you looking for Forest?" Archer said. The scruffy man blinked a bit at seeing him, like he was surprised he was there.

"Um. Yeah. Uh, can you tell her Law's here? You know, the guy from last night, and oh yeah, I have someone else with me who wants to talk with her. If that's OK."

[Elf]

Forest

Forest followed Archer as he went to the door, wondering if she should grab her gun on the way.  Deciding that Archer was a good enough arsenal for now, she followed him as he opened the door.  She made sure to stand out of the way of the sunlight and peered out.

Standing there was a Faerie maiden in her very early twenties, her long red hair pulled up in a messy bun.  Freckles sprinkled across her cheeks and nose signaled her as being part human and eyes the color of peridots looked around.  The girl tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear as she studied the wall.  Standing with the young lady was Law, looking even worse than he did last night.

Forest winched at his condition, and noticed the fact that the girl was holding a broomstick and Law's car wasn't anywhere in sight.  She nodded to Archer and said, "He's of the good. I invited him a place to stay.  See, some guy shot a sword at him last night while trying to kill me and he's been sleeping in his car and the ghost of Travis Bickle is protecting him."


Abigail

Once close to the compound, Abigail could sense the wards surrounding the place.  She frowned at the sheer power in their creation, but the lack of fine tuned finesse confused her.  Then she recognized the "signature" of the caster who created the wards.

Lady Umbra was a boogywoman to a lot of Fae due to a sword she forged in the Victorian era to take out a power-maddened member of the Faerie Council in a duel.  She was also a "comfortable rival" of Lysandra's and a master crafter of weapons and enchanted items using gemstones.  Abigail had met her once and the Lady of Shadows had left an impression.

Then she saw the giant Asian man in bondage pants and the pretty blond vampire behind her.  Abby blinked and said, "Wow, I didn't know that Asians came that tall and . . . You're Lady Law!"

The blond's indigo eyes widened and she threw up her hands.  First thing Abby was aware of was the blond braided pig tails and then her height.  As tall as the Asian was, the blond vampire was almost as tall.  Then Abigail realized that Law Unto Herself had been turned in her late teens, meaning that the ancient vampire had been a teenage girl for over a thousand years.

"And wow, I bet once you left Scotland you were like, 'Why did all the people shrink?'"

[theunknownhero]

Shirou (HF)

Into the Nexus

Back in the Emiya household, the young man who owns the house sits outside his porch pondering the sudden disappearance of his beloved.

Sakura where did you vanish off to? It's been nearly three years year since you've disappeared and despite our best effort Tohsaka, Rider, and I have been unable to find you. ... I can feel these arms mine getting stiff as I think to myself. After damaging my body beyond repair, I was saved thanks to the efforts of my dear sister, whom I was unable to save ad ended up saving me. My body is still my body, but it's using a puppet as a container, so if I don't have enough prana to keep my body it'll revert back to the form of a puppet. Considering it's been a year since Sakura disappeared, my body has started getting stiff on me as I can feel slowly reverting back. Tohsaka suggested that if the problem got too she'd be willing to help me out with my prana problem, but I don't think I can do that Sakura, I haven't given up hope on finding her. Rider had things pretty bad as well, as without Sakura she didn't have a source of prana. Luckily Tohsaka took up the contract on her end, but she doesn't have the same prana supply as Sakura after the end of the Holy Grail War. Emotionally, we're all taking her disappearance pretty hard, but the worst part is that because she's gone we're all left in a situation where we have to reserve our energy, Tohsaka needs to keep her supply healthy enough to supply Rider, and Rider and I can't waste our prana either give our bodies are at stake. I guess it can't be helped. I don't see a way out this but, I can't just give up. I know Sakura is alive somewhere and I swore I'd protect her. I just have to have faith that Tohsaka will be able to find a way to find her. Still... this waiting here and not being able to do anything is getting on my nerves as it always does. In frustration, I scream.

"SAKURA WHERE ARE YOU!?"

This wasn't the first time I had scream the question to the world. When she first disappeared I nearly ran myself ragged looking for. But, this time however something's different, perhaps it's my typical luck turning around when things seem bleak but it appears  a strange portal has a appeared. Unsure what to think of it, I remark.

"What the... hell... is that?"

I get closer to take a closer look at the portal. My heart skips a beat when I see what looks to be what I've been searching reflected in the portal.

"Sakura! Sakura is that you!? ... Could that really be Sakura?"

... I have no idea what will happen if I go through the strange portal ... but, it's the only lead I have. I frantically search for a pen and write a note saying what just happened. This way if I don't come back, at least they'll know what happened to me. Feeling, I've wasted enough time with the note I push back my feelings of leaving my old life behind and rush head first towards the portal. Tohsaka, Rider, and even Fuji-nee, I may never see you all again. Even so, if there is a chance I can find what I've lost I have to take it. I hope you'll understand.
As I pass through the portal, I feel sick for second and my entire body feels heavier than usually, I recall a similar feeling back when my dear sister used her strange magic transporting my consciousness to a teddy bear in the Castle and when she saved my life. ... My mind's going blank... Sakura... I hope wherever I'm headed I'll be able to see you again...

[Kaze]

LANCELOT

Lancelot watched the spearman go, relieved that he had not chosen to do battle. Despite the man’s calm demeanor, the dark knight couldn’t help but get the feeling he was angry.

And why shouldn’t he be? Lancelot had interfered on his fight and stole his victory. What’s more, there was no guarantee those vampires were as benign as Forest, but he had interfered on their behalf anyway. His actions would probably cost innocent people their lives in the near future, and all because he had lost his cool and wanted to one-up the poisonous voice in his mind. He couldn’t even blame the Mad Enhancement for this one.

Lancelot’s shoulders slumped and he let out a tiny sigh. The knight in him rebelled at the mere thought of displaying such terrible posture and weakness in public, but he found himself too tired to care. Distraught, the former knight of the lake wandered home through the snow.

-----------

The door to Arturia’s apartment rattled a little as Lancelot unlocked the door. He shook off some of the snow that had built up on his armor and stepped inside, to be confronted with the unexpected scene of his former king having breakfast with guests. The dark knight blinked and his eyes jumped from a lovely young asian woman to the largely built man with mixed red, white, and brown crossing his features.

“I apologize, A- Saber, I did not intend to interrupt breakfast,” he said to the youthful blond, almost using her real name on accident. She preferred to be referred to by her former class title amongst company.


AKIHOLARME

Aki’s frown deepened as Rebeca curled into a little ball, looking positively pitiful. It vaguely reminded her of Lucia and the way she would bite her lip when upset.

A sensation of worry slowly crawled through the dovahkiin at the thought of her adopted daughter. She was accustomed to being away from the girl for days or even weeks at a time, but there was always the assurance that when all was said and done she could go back to their home in Whiterun. Now she wasn’t so sure. She didn’t even know how she had gotten here in the Nexus, much less how to return.

Aki looked away from the white haired girl with a snort, angry that she no longer felt like demanding explanations from her. “Whatever,” she mumbled, before moving over to the corner she had left her clothes and armor in, distracting herself with the more immediate task of putting her clothes back on.


EINAR KRONHOLM

Einar was an average looking man, perhaps a bit tall but rather unassuming. His blond hair was cut short in a professional haircut and he was dressed in light grey semi-formal attire.

In front of him was a well-mannered and formally dressed man with a skull for a face. The swede blinked in surprise, wondering what was up with that.

“Ah, I see. Thank you, Mr. Butler, I would speak with lord Vlad for as long as he allows,” he said, giving skullface a polite nod. From the way things sounded he wasn’t quite dressed up enough for the occasion. Oh well, this would have to do.

[Kotomine_Rin]

"Oi oi oi oi, where do you think you're going mate?", said Lorenzo before grabbing the stranger by the back.

"Um, yeah, there's no way I can just let you get scott free after seeing that, I mean, what the hell? Couldn't you have been a bit more gentle? You can't hurt a lady like that, even if she's trying to shoot you. Don't tell me you can't handle  bit o lead in your life, cause after all them stunts you performed, I aaaaain't buying that..."

[Panda]

...Yup, newcomers are most certainly headed here an-

It is at this point that Adjutor spots more pancakes in the kitchen itself. Looking back at Archer and Forest, still introducing themselves to the newcomers, at Elyssa, still looking like she's about to rip someone apart, and then back at the pancakes, the hungry teen makes a rather tough decision in an instant. Tendrils burst from his outstretched hand, spearing through some of the pancakes and bringing them into his hands before he slips back into the shadow of the table.

A few minutes later, the now-empty-handed teen leaps out of a shadow to find himself back in the police station, and immediately makes for the nearest water fountain.

Wow, how long have I been away that I've forgotten how damn dry pancakes are?

Too long apparently. Also, why the hell did you leave?! You do realize that was the hot fae from earlier, right?! You could have at least-

You seem to be forgetting that she works here.

And we don't. We're the mercenaries.

Don't discount the chance of us meeting her again.

When we actually do, then I won't.

With that, Adjutor looks up from the water fountain to find...

...That non-human from the hospital?

...We probably shouldn't bother.

With that, Adjutor makes his way further into the station, looking around for whatever passes for a Break Room, before making his way inside and flopping down on the nearest piece of furniture design for such purposes. Fortunately, it happens to be a rather nice couch. Easing into the couch, Adjutor finds himself with nothing better to do than to simply wait for the Elite he's been assigned to to arrive.


Michael stops at the pirate's touch, turning to face him.

"She was interfering in my spar with the youth, as were you," Michael says "I was going to call you out on your interruption, but then she interrupted me. As for being gentle, have you ever been gentle with your foes? That girl made herself my foe when she shot at me. If you wish to fight me for what is apparently some kind of transgression, in your eyes, I will have to ask that you do so later. Right now, I just want to put this whole mess behind me."

[Kotomine_Rin]

The pirate sighed before lightly tapping the man's head in annoyed nonchalance.  "Aye, I get that, hence why I did not shootcha. Still, ya hurt a lady before my eyes. Opponent or not, that ain't something I can let slide and pretend never happened..."

Scratching his head, he sheated his rapier and put back his flintlock before holding his hand out to the stranger.

"I'll kick yer arse, dont worry bout that, but to be honest I just don't feel it in me now. Got work today and all, so how about we settle it nother time?"

[Panda]

Michael considered the man's words for a moment, then allows a smile as he takes the offered hand.

"Name a time and a place," he says, "If I'm not there, I'm either dead or someone's prisoner."

[Kotomine_Rin]

The pirate pondered for a moment before grinning.

"Tomorrow at dawn, any objections? Or perhaps you are shivering in fear... BWAHAHA!"

Slapping the man's back, he laughed heartily. "Care to have a drink on me? This whole trouble made me thirsty, and the one thing scarier than a thirsty sailor is..."

Lorenzo now pondered for a second, almost confused. "When I put it that way it doesn't sound very scary now does it?"