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

[yinsukin]

Urthemiel

The Old God preened a bit at the word beautiful. It had been ages since he had been personally praised for his masterfully crafted looks. "There is no need for thanks but there is the issue of payment. I did risk my magnificent self to save you both, so at the very least you should do me a favor and start having children. You are both very beautiful and it would be a shame if you were to die without a child to pass on your looks to."

As he said this the Dragon of Beauty began the delicate process of brushing dust off of his robes and making sure his hair was still perfect. It would be abominable to appear any less than he was.

Medaka blushed after the hearing the dragon human's words.  If they had not been completely outmatched mere seconds before, she would have responded with something like "I have too much love for one person to handle."  However, was it really right to say that now?  She lost herself back there after losing her friend but that doesn't mean she has too much love for him, only that she has the capacity to care for others.  She is human, more so in this world than any other.

With that thought, she smiled.  She stood by and listened to what Lorenzo had to say.

"Eeeh, you are right, I am obviously a hella charming lad. And Medaka is pretty beautiful herself. But children..."

"Nope, can't do. Making love, all for it. Go ahead, you can join us while you are at it. But kids... never. Just think about it, could they really be proud to have a scoundrel and a bastard as father? A crook? A dog can only breed dogs, and while I am one of a kind, It wouldn't be fair for me, for them or for Medaka to be stuck with brats and make em live a life of misery." Lorenzo added cheerfully, casually walking in circles and waving his unshattered arm around, gesticulating his way trough the argument.

"If ya want kids, make your own! I ain't going that way today though, so find a charming lass yourself if you can. Sure you won't have any trouble there, pretty boy lizard thing. Make sure to not pop into a giant dragon thing while having the fancy time though, no one wants a giant lizard in their bed. No one."

"Yes" Medaka agreed. "There is no reason for us to have children so quickly.  Lorenzo is a fine man worthy of many children, despite his own personal image.  However, I just got here and I still have much to sort out emotionally.  There is no reason to start a family when I am still so young.  Besides a world such as this is no place to raise a child.  Would you take responsibility and watch over my frail pregnant body?  I am sure this will not be our last dance with death."

[Kat]

Mordred

She was relieved that the fool leave her alone, as he was grating on her nerves with his preachy attitude. Damn him. Mordred was sitting on a bench, idle, waiting for someone who could not come to the police station at all when she heard a sound resembling a car crash. As a driver she knew immediately an accident could have happened. Even if the police station was so close, deep in her heart she did not count on them arriving as soon as possible. Police officers here seemed to be either too burdened with what they already had to deal with or incompetent. Mordred was not a doctor, but at least she could check if there are any survivors of the accident, even if attempts at 'heroism' usually ended up unfortunately for her. "I guess it cannot be helped" she sighed, standing up and running with full haste.

Once she arrived at the scene, she saw Faust's apprentice talking to the whitehaired woman and the familiar man laying on the ground unconscious. "Tch, it serves him right" she said with no sympathy for the teen who rambled at her while ago "Did he try to preach in the middle of a road, that dumbass? I don't blame you two if you just ran over him for his idiocy" she said out of loud, not hiding her opinion on Adjutor.

Gintoki

Tohuw Balagan

"Bury them? Nope, no time for that silly~☆" the demon responded, tipping his hat to the man before walking forward to the cadavers.

"But oh boy, this is a damn pain in the ass. I just get here, and already you shits make a storm like a bunch of monkeys... well, I'll be damned, bravo!" he carried on before removing his glove, revealing a pale hand.

Then, he let out a long, reptile-like tongue escape his mouth. The oversized tissue twirled along his finger, a black claw digging into it as a droplet of blood slid down his finger.

Then, some sort of inscription filled the air around them with dread, a chilling scent of death and blood seeping from all over. The nauseating odour filled the air, and for a second the demon's eyes widened, his aura twisting into a sickening form. Then, the corpses twitched and turned over, revealing horrified expressions. Their gaping mouths released some form of azure mist, an aura that spun and twirled as it collected around the demon's fingers.

Suddenly, a lollypop appeared in his hand, it's bright blue colour bearing an uncanny resemblance with something far too familiar to the demon. Yes, there was no doubt: all those who had just died had their souls taken by him.

"What a shame, there is no value in a soul stained in hate. It's not even worth collecting you see?  Still, they do have some uses..."

Something suddenly caught his attention, it was the child. The blue aura seeping from him, his soul, was still bound and attached in his body. There was no doubt, even if by a thread, the child was still alive.

"Oh? It seems there is some hope!☆ Oh well, what to do..." The demon pondered with a sigh, a faint rictus crawling up his lips. These sould were most disgusting and filthy, but that child's still remained. Like a balloon hanging by a minuscule string, his soul persisted with a beautiful will to live. This beauty, so filthy, so futile and yet so humane.

Yes, humans were always so full of surprises.

Pretty creepy sight. The silver haired samurai was at least sure that whoever he was, he was not a doctor. And did the  mist he absorbed consist of souls of those dead people? It was so wrong. They should move on to whatever afterlife awaited them, not be imprisoned by anybody or anything. Even haunting the living was more preferable to such fate.

"Hey, I don't know who you are, but souls of the dead are not a plaything or anybody's possession. Release them." he demanded in a serious voice.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Tohuw Balagan

"I like you more and more kid. Quite humane of you, to care to such an extent for strangers. How samaritan of you.", the demon chuckled.

"Well, they aren't alive any longer, and if you worry about them being stuck in a perpetual limbo... well don't. I don't like to have my food scream at me you see, so they are currently having a looooong nice nap. Trust me, whatever is happening to them right now, it's definitely better than what awaits them had I not collected them."

"They are already dead, it doesn't matter what afterlife they go to. Do you apologize to your hamburger before eating it? Hahahaha, what bullshit! What happens to you humans in your afterlife is of no concern to me. What matters is what uses you can fulfill after you croak, and this is one of them." He carried on, walking around the white haired man all while grinning, a bemused smile crawling up his face as if belittling and looking down on him. As he talked, he twirled the lollypop around his finger, toying with it in a clearly amused state. Yeah, that man was so foolish, so so foolish.

"Now, if you excuse me, there are good news in all of this! The kid is alive, soul's still kickin trough, which means there is no need to chomp it juuuuust yet. With that in mind, what will you do?" He asked the man, biting his finger in order to restrain yet another chuckle. Then he brought the lollypop in his mouth and began to suckle it greedily.

"Tsk, this one tastes awful..."

[SINIB]

Irisviel von Einzbern

Irisviel looked on with concern while she waited for the purplehead to explain herself. 

"No, I don't think she's here." She said.

Irisviel sighed with relief. She was glad to hear she was still safe and sound at home.

"I'm not even sure where 'here' is, honestly. I'm from a different world, I came here to find my friend," she said.

Irisviel could tell the girl was hiding something from her, and was still uneasy about how strange the girl felt. Something suddenly clicked in Iri's head and she ended up tactlessly blurting it out.

"How are you a Holy Grail, you don't have any of the normal physical characteristics of one?" She asked without thinking. "And you feel different, almost artificial. What in the world could have happened?" She half asked, half wondered aloud.

"Tch, it serves him right." She heard a voice to the right of her. When Irisviel turned to face the newcomer, her heart skipped a beat from the surprise. "Did he try to preach in the middle of a road, that dumbass? I don't blame you two if you just ran over him for his idiocy" she said out loud, not hiding her opinion on Adjutor.

"Saber-" She happily began to address her before she noticed the big difference between her beloved and this person. The woman standing before her was far taller than Saber and had a far more vulgar vocabulary than her.


“No, wait.. I’m sorry, I mistook you for someone I know.” She apologized with a smile. “Did this man do something to offend you earlier?” Irisviel asked an innocent question before turning so she could see both the look-alike and the purplehead at the same time.

[SINIB]

Noel

Noel anxiously listened to his long response to Roxas’ innocent comment, overtly aware of the time. She was annoyed that she’d been interrupted in her errands and would rather not get in trouble for being late.

“I’m sorry about this, but I really have to get going.” She said and grabbed the kid’s hand once more. “Maybe we can talk another time, ok?”

[yinsukin]

Roxas

Noel looked a bit annoyed, having that pressed for time look on her face.  She grabbed Roxas's hand and said,“I’m sorry about this, but I really have to get going.” She said and grabbed the kid’s hand once more. “Maybe we can talk another time, ok?”

Now that he thought about it, they were in front of a police station. Roxas wondered if perhaps she was a member of the police.  Regardless, she was clearly busy with something.

"Yes, it was nice meeting you miss Noel."

Then, Roxas turned to face the walking amour.

"Well, if you want someone to travel with, I don't mind.  To be honest, since coming to this world I have been thinking about what I should do with myself.  It looked like Noel would help me but I don't think she has the time and I don't want to be a burden.  Perhaps I need a job or a home.  I just, don't know....  My name is Roxas, what is yours?"

[Kotomine_Rin]

"Name..." The warrior's voice murmured coldly, dissimulating anger and sadness with his dull monotone. Then he took a warmer, friendly tone.

"Call me Vanguard. It is a pleasure to acquaint with you."

Then, turning to the woman, he patted her head.

"Noel, good luck with your endeavours to come. If you could..."

Vanguard fidgeted shyly, a calculated move, but even so it carried a natured grace that befitted a man who had known sentiment. Then, he drove his finger into his helmet and plucked a strange metallic object, decorated with silver and gold. It resembled a knife, but was too dull to cut anything. At the same time, it's curved uneven shape almost resembled a key of sorts.

"I need you to keep this. There is no mistake, you look exactly like her, and I do not believe it is a coincidence. If you could keep this safe until I find she who is sought, I would be in your debt."

Of course, this wan untrue. If she truly resembled her, she would find her soon enough. When the time was right, they would meet, and she would see the key. That would be a suitable message that would state clearly that he had returned and that with him, the way to heaven.
But she did not need to know of such things.

"As for you, Roxas, I have sworn alliegance to another. While I would love to share company with you, I do not believe it is proper to burden you with my own duties. Still, if possible, I would enjoy your presence until it is time to return to my duties. Where shall you lead?"

[SINIB]

Sakura
Sakura was crying from joy when Shirou revived and said her name to her. She grabbed him in a fierce embrace, the blood seeping out of her hand soon had formed a growing red splotch on the back of his shirt. She sobbed into his shoulder, sucking in oxygen in rapid gasps.


"I'm sorry, Sakura... I should have told you just how desperate the shape I was in. It looks like you hurt yourself in order to help me." Shirou told her.

“No, it’s my fault-I should have been more careful! I’m sorry! I was being selfish, I didn’t mean act so selfish!” Sakura said in between sobs. She tightened the embrace, as if she were trying to absorb him. “I’m sorry! Don’t disappear! I don’t want that!”

"Sakura, this other me has his own mission and path to follow. Let's leave him be as he does so. As for us, let's head home. We have a lot of catching up to do."

“But what if he gets hurt! I don’t want that! I want Shirou to be safe! Please, please be safe now!” She begged Shirou.

[theunknownhero]

Shirou (HF)

Sakura was crying at the fact I was okay, and she held me tight within her embrace. It was the embrace of the woman I had fought so hard for, and the heat and warmth of her body was always comforting. She the begged me with a pleading voice not to disappear.

"Don't worry Sakura, I've worked and searched too hard to just leave you at this point. I'm not going anywhere."

She then mentions that if the other me goes on his way he might get hurt. She then begs "Shirou" to be safe.

"While, I can't speak for the other me, I understand the path he's chosen. Risking his life for others in the essence of Emiya Shirou's ideal. There is always a chance he could get hurt, but that's the path he chooses to walk. As for me, I've chosen a different path. A nice quiet life with you Sakura, though I'm not sure just how peaceful it can be if we're stuck here... but, I guess it can't be helped and we'll just have to make due."

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Abigail

The redhead blushed and said, "I didn't mean right now!  I mean, I have to help the police chase down a monster in the sewers.  Plus I'm not giving up a chance to meet Saber either!"

Then there was that voice and Abigail felt her blood run cold.  There was something about Archer that was just off.  Something she couldn't put her finger on, and it wasn't just the fact she could sense his intent to use Law to his own gain.

He is a spirit made flesh.  He is against the natural order.  Souls should not be tampered with.  Let the dead stay dead . . .

Yet the more she cast her senses out towards Archer she realized there was no rest for Archer.  She could sympathize with him, even though he was messing up her empathy with his disjointed emotions, she didn't want him to drag Law into his own Special Hell.

Automatically she grabbed Law's arm and said, "Don't.  Please.  You don't know what he is and what he's asking."

Law gently shrugged free of her grip, a cocky grin shot in her direction. "I know exactly what it is and what he's asking for."

You really don't.

Internally, I'm freaking the fuck out right now. I don't think we can take him if this gets ugly.

I know that. Hopefully the girl is more help in a fight than she seems.

"What sort of contract? For my soul, first born, what? And what do I get out of it?"

Archer ignored Abby's glares of death in his direction. "All I want is an anchor to this world, one that can provide me with some magical energy. In exchange, I'll protect you when I can. Really, it's harmless. I bet you've made that deal before Lawrence."

Law tried to avoid the instinct to respond to that sort of jab. "That doesn't seem like much."

"I'm not asking for much, and you're not providing me much more than a link to this world. I'd rather not fade back to where I came from."

Should I trust him?

No.

I trusted you.

You did. But he isn't me.

Yeah, he's asking for a hell of a lot less than a chunk of my soul.

A fair price to avoid death. He is hiding something.

Yeah, but...

The Driver's chuckle buzzed in Law's ear as if a radio was playing it in the distance. Please, he couldn't take Death on.

No, but he could get molested instead of me.

...Fine. Take the deal. But don't say you weren't warned.

The Driver's grudging acceptance cemented his decision. "Deal. Now how are we going to make the contract?"

Archer's face broke out in a smug grin. He'd won. His past self wouldn't escape now.

[Elf]

Abigail

The redhead's face fell as Law gently shook free of her grip and grinned at her.

"I know exactly what it is and what he's asking for."

No, no you really don't.  Please don't do this.

She clutched the quartz crystal pendent around her neck.  The young changling didn't have any means to stop him; all of her magic was "passive" for the most part.  She was better at illusion, shields and defense. 

Peridot eyes darted between the two of them, her despair rising. 

"Deal. Now how are we going to make the contract?"

Fudge bunnies.  Why are men such IDIOTS?!

Abigail gripped Law's forearm and hissed, "Don't make the deal so easily.  Give him some more stipulations like if he attempts to kill you it'll sever his link to this existence immediately.  When making a Pact like this you have to be as specific as possible or it'll bite you in the butt!"


Saber

"Are you fit to do this?" Saber asked, wanting to make sure before leading a potentially volatile aspect to this mission.

[SINIB]

Roxas

Noel looked a bit annoyed, having that pressed for time look on her face.  She grabbed Roxas's hand and said,“I’m sorry about this, but I really have to get going.” She said and grabbed the kid’s hand once more. “Maybe we can talk another time, ok?”

Now that he thought about it, they were in front of a police station. Roxas wondered if perhaps she was a member of the police.  Regardless, she was clearly busy with something.

"Yes, it was nice meeting you miss Noel."

Then, Roxas turned to face the walking amour.

"Well, if you want someone to travel with, I don't mind.  To be honest, since coming to this world I have been thinking about what I should do with myself.  It looked like Noel would help me but I don't think she has the time and I don't want to be a burden.  Perhaps I need a job or a home.  I just, don't know....  My name is Roxas, what is yours?"

Noel was annoyed that they started a converstaion again. She really had to go. "All right, goodbye now." She said to them, grabbing the knife from vanguard. She ran away once more, on her way to her job.

[Puck-Chan]

Cu Chulainn

Forest

"Doesn't that hurt?"

Forest flexed her healing hand and offered him a winsome smile.  She answered, "Oh, it hurts like a sodding bitch, but after 1300 years I got use to functioning instead of screaming, 'Oh Sherry it burns!'"

"I can get you those tarps if you tell me where I can get them," he offered earnestly.

She smiled at that and said, "Same closet, I can show you.  No risk of spontaneous combustion there."

"Nah. I can figure it out myself. Ya just wait here, lass." It shouldn't be too hard to find something of the size in the closet. Carrying, of course, shouldn't be an issue for this former Servant.

She sighed and muttered, "Sometimes being a vampire really does suck."

A vampire. That explains the entirety of her age and her blistering skin against the sun. There were indeed vampires back in his world, at least where the Grail War took place.

"Well I be, so I guess you're those ones that drink blood, huh?" Cu remarked rather nonchalantly at this. So his little landlady is a vampire. This was getting a little bit interesting, if anything he could...

"Well. If you ever feel parched, I wouldn't mind giving you a sip."

He winked at her as he said this. Before allowing her to answer back, the Hawaiian-shirted spearman disappeared into the threshold of the ruined room's door for that tarp.

[Elf]

Forest

"Well. If you ever feel parched, I wouldn't mind giving you a sip."

Forest blinked at his wink and resisted the urge to look away.  And then he was gone from the room like a flash.   Then she felt her lips curving into a grin at the offer.

She called back, "I might have to take you up on that sometime."

[Cherry Lover]

Sakura looked down on hearing the woman's words. For a moment, she wondered how to respond. Whilst she had come to terms with her past, it wasn't something she particularly enjoyed thinking about.

"Well", she began, before she came to a sudden realisation that the woman knew more than she should have.

"Wait, how do you.. Oh, I see, you must be... Oh.... That's why you felt so familiar...", she said, rambling to herself as she put the pieces together in her mind.

She's a Grail, just like me, and, like her daughter. And, she surely has to be the Grail from the previous war, the one Zouken implanted pieces of into me to turn me into a Grail....

I had pieces of this woman inside me for 10 years, no wonder she feels familiar....

Hmm, I guess that she's from a world where she survived somehow. I wonder what it's like....

Sakura stood there for a moment, lost in her thoughts, before realising that she had probably made absolutely no sense. However, just as she was about to try to explain what she meant, a blonde woman came racing around the corner.

Saber? she thought, looking down at the ground rather than at the woman she had corrupted and forced into her service.

To her surprise, the white-haired homonculus also addressed the woman as Saber and, further, was clearly very pleased to see her. And, even more surprisingly, the homonculus then apologised, as if it was a case of mistaken identity.

Hmm, yes, I recall Saber being a lot shorter than this. And, I can't believe Saber would ever talk like that, either....

Having gathered her thoughts somewhat, she put on a somewhat false smile and spoke.

"I am not artificial, I am a normal human magus. But, yes, I am also a Grail. It.. it's difficult for me to explain how. My Grandfather put... things in me to make me this way", she said, looking down at the ground.

"Anyway", she continued, brightening up somewhat. "We should introduce ourselves. I am Emiya Sakura", she said, putting emphasis on the family name Shirou had given to her, as if she was reminding herself that her past was behind her and that the future contained only more happiness.