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

[Kotomine_Rin]

Vanguard

"Hah, luck? Only a fool would rely on such a thing." Vanguard chucled as he turned his back to the boy. Yes, he knew full well it had been an eternity since he had any luck. But he knew that eternity lasted but a moment.

"...thanks."

And with that, Vanguard waved lazily before setting off, his heavy steps carving the path of a man as decise as ever.

[Puck-Chan]

Cu Chulainn

She turned towards him and said, "I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.  And what has he done?"

Forest folded her arms around her chest, lifted one eyebrow, grinned and said, "I want to hear what Captain Bondagepants did too."

"And ya'd be quite right to not trust him, lass," Cu agreed eagerly with the red-head. He started to put down the tarp onto the very ground, its contents flopped against the floor. Maybe to enjoy this little revelation he would offer.

"Fine fine, I'll listen... geez, half the fun of this is not knowing what happens." Law crossed his arms, waiting for Cu's response. "I've pulled this in the past and it turned out alright..."

Archer's face grew grim. He might end up losing his best chance at a Master, barring Rin falling from the heavens on him.

The spearman smirked at the Servant's displeasure. Cu didn't take well to treacherous men kindly. And having been recently screwed over by the malicious Priest, the demi-god isn't exactly going to stand by and watch some other guy get shafted as well.

Lancer nonchalantly began, "Well well, where do I start...? Hm. Ya, that would do it. We were both contestants in what's called the Holy Grail War. There were seven of us. Each of us partnered up with our own Masters with each of us contracted ourselves to them. In the war, he already back-stabbed two Masters in a row for his own goals."

Cu glanced back at Law, "Lad, you really sure you want to enter in a contract with him? It's better off to let him disappear."

[Elf]

Abigail and Forest

Abigail nodded and said, "He's just so unsavory.  I really don't like people like him."

Forest raised her eyebrow and thought, And you're Fae dear.  You're Fae and don't like people hiding their intentions but that's what your kin does.  Outwardly the blond shook her head as she listened to Lancer's sortied tale.  She tilted her head and ran with what Saber told her about Captain Bondagepants.

Abigail turned to Law and said, "Please don't do this.  You heard what Mr. Irishman With the Loud Hawaiian shirt said.  This guy is a horrible back stabber."  Abigail tilted her head and said, "Do you have a name, Mister Irishman?"

Forest chuckled, shook her head and looked at Archer, "You're not having any luck with this, are you.  Too bad Lancer hates you or I'd suggest him.  Plus he's a might bit more powerful than Law."


Saber

“Saber!”

That voice . . . It can't be.  No, it can't be, the former king thought before turning. 

Yet there she was, just as Saber remembered her.  There was that long, flowing white hair and those eyes the color of fine rubies. "Irisviel . . ." she managed to say before the other woman's arms were around her.

[YOLF]

Tar

Henry's brow twitched as the door was knocked open by a breathless girl, stepping into the investigation department. Seeing her yell her apologies and then slump down as she noticed the clock, the detective snuffed out his cigarette on his ash tray and got up from his chair. Walking around his desk, he stepped forward to the girl in a few large strides, until he was looming over her.

"Elite Noel Vermillion! Can you tell me the time?" Henry demanded, voice rising with harshness.

[SINIB]

Noeru Varmillionnuuuu

"Elite Noel Vermillion! Can you tell me the time?" Henry demanded, voice rising with harshness. Noel instantly stood straight upright as stiffly as a board of wood. “Y-Yes! I’m over an hour late!” She responded in an extremely serious and forced voice. “I’m very s-sorry!”

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Cu Chulainn

She turned towards him and said, "I don't trust him as far as I can throw him.  And what has he done?"

Forest folded her arms around her chest, lifted one eyebrow, grinned and said, "I want to hear what Captain Bondagepants did too."

"And ya'd be quite right to not trust him, lass," Cu agreed eagerly with the red-head. He started to put down the tarp onto the very ground, its contents flopped against the floor. Maybe to enjoy this little revelation he would offer.

"Fine fine, I'll listen... geez, half the fun of this is not knowing what happens." Law crossed his arms, waiting for Cu's response. "I've pulled this in the past and it turned out alright..."

Archer's face grew grim. He might end up losing his best chance at a Master, barring Rin falling from the heavens on him.

The spearman smirked at the Servant's displeasure. Cu didn't take well to treacherous men kindly. And having been recently screwed over by the malicious Priest, the demi-god isn't exactly going to stand by and watch some other guy get shafted as well.

Lancer nonchalantly began, "Well well, where do I start...? Hm. Ya, that would do it. We were both contestants in what's called the Holy Grail War. There were seven of us. Each of us partnered up with our own Masters with each of us contracted ourselves to them. In the war, he already back-stabbed two Masters in a row for his own goals."

Cu glanced back at Law, "Lad, you really sure you want to enter in a contract with him? It's better off to let him disappear."

Abigail and Forest

Abigail nodded and said, "He's just so unsavory.  I really don't like people like him."

Forest raised her eyebrow and thought, And you're Fae dear.  You're Fae and don't like people hiding their intentions but that's what your kin does.  Outwardly the blond shook her head as she listened to Lancer's sortied tale.  She tilted her head and ran with what Saber told her about Captain Bondagepants.

Abigail turned to Law and said, "Please don't do this.  You heard what Mr. Irishman With the Loud Hawaiian shirt said.  This guy is a horrible back stabber."  Abigail tilted her head and said, "Do you have a name, Mister Irishman?"

Forest chuckled, shook her head and looked at Archer, "You're not having any luck with this, are you.  Too bad Lancer hates you or I'd suggest him.  Plus he's a might bit more powerful than Law."

Well you nearly fucked yourself hard.

Wait wait wait grail war?

I have no idea.

It makes sense in a competition to backstab though doesn't it?

Yes. If you are the one doing the backstabbing.

Fuck. Fuuuuuck.

"Well, fine, then do you want a contract Irishy McIrish? I could use someone to help me from getting raped."

Archer just ground his teeth in frustration. So close. But... he hadn't done any of those things. He still had a chance, hopefully. "I don't know what he's talking about. I died - sort of - for my Master. He tried to kill mine."

So now, who to trust?

God, that is the question.

A spirit seems to be the better option, if both are trustworthy.

Yeah...

[Puck-Chan]

Cu Chulainn

Well you nearly fucked yourself hard.

Wait wait wait grail war?

I have no idea.

It makes sense in a competition to backstab though doesn't it?

Yes. If you are the one doing the backstabbing.

Fuck. Fuuuuuck.

"Well, fine, then do you want a contract Irishy McIrish? I could use someone to help me from getting raped."

Archer just ground his teeth in frustration. So close. But... he hadn't done any of those things. He still had a chance, hopefully. "I don't know what he's talking about. I died - sort of - for my Master. He tried to kill mine."

So now, who to trust?

God, that is the question.

A spirit seems to be the better option, if both are trustworthy.

Yeah...

Cu snorted at this Archer's claims as he placed both hands on his own hips, "Please. I wasn't even half serious and what were you even doing when I made just a few swings at her? I say that's pretty questionable on the account of your loyalty. And besides, isn't killing your enemy's Master another point of the War anyway? At least I didn't betray my own Master, even if he was a cowardly git."

"--Even though he used a Command Seal for me to kill myself."

The embarrassment of ending up stabbing himself on that enforced order that Kirei used up truly was a sore spot for Lancer.

[Elf]

Forest and Abigail

"Well, fine, then do you want a contract Irishy McIrish? I could use someone to help me from getting raped."

Abigail raised her hand and said, "I could so do that.  I mean, I kept my half-sister from raping me.  I think I could protect you from getting raped."

"I don't know what he's talking about. I died - sort of - for my Master. He tried to kill mine."

Abigail waved her hand dismissively at Archer and said, "He just said it was a war.  Trying to kill your enemy in a war is one thing, but back stabbing two of your masters is something else!"

Forest rubbed her forehead and said, "You know you two are from separate world lines right?  You're not his Archer, Archer, and Lancer your not his Lancer."

"--Even though he used a Command Seal for me to kill myself."

Forest blinked at the thought and then sent back to Lancer, Then he was a cowardly get and may the crows feast on his eyes.

[Knick]

Suiren

“Heh, guess its fine then” The tense and serious air evaporated as she scratched her cheek and gave Butler a grin. And then a horrible glare shined off the porcelain at the table and shined directly into her eyes.

“What the?” Suiren mumbled as she looked for the source of the glare, and she found it almost immediately.

A bright white light could be seen the sky some ways away. It was only there for a moment until it began to disperse. If she had waited even a moment before looking for it she would have missed it.

And at the sight of it an almost bloodthirsty and toothy grin appeared on her face as he eyes began to burn with excitement. “So you ARE here!” She almost yells out. Then she begins to laugh.

It took her a moment before she calmed down again, and then she sat back down in the chair. “You have anything stronger then tea? I feel in a celebrating mood.” Her grin wasn’t fading and her excitement was obvious.

She just learned her greatest opponent, the person she has to surpass no matter what, was also taken here. Why wouldn’t she be excited.

[Kaze]

EMIYA SHIROU

Shirou’s eyes widened in surprise when Sakura screamed at him. He turned to look back at her, but by then she was mumbling to herself, words that were drowned out by the breeze and altitude.

The tall woman by the Pegasus finally spoke, saying that he should exchange contact info with Sakura - probably a smart idea, if only to help calm her down about him leaving. Unfortunately Shirou didn’t have a cell phone, his had been lost in the transition to the Nexus and he had no reason to obtain another since.

“I don’t have a phone, but I live in the northwestern part of the Nexus, right by the outskirts. It isn’t very homey, but you can find me there.” With that, the freelance magus turned around once more and jumped, falling feet-first into open air and flecks of snow.


LANCELOT

A blur of white and yellow flew across the dark knight’s vision as Saber explained her belief that they were up against a challenge even they would have to struggle to overcome. He turned to look and caught a glimpse of waist-length blond hair before something of far more importance caught his attention.

“Saber!” a feminine voice shouted from behind them. The young woman in question turned around in surprise in time to catch an albino woman with brilliant white hair in her arms.

“Irisviel…” Saber spoke the newcomer’s name in a soft, almost affectionate tone. Lancelot recalled the name. Arturia had spoken at times of the woman she had considered to be her true master in the 4th Heaven’s Feel, so the two were obviously familiar. Still, the knight had to resist the urge to remove the homunculus from the former king.

“The past few hours have been quite the reunion, it seems,” he said, forcing his expression to remain neutral.

[SINIB]

Sakura

"Sakura... I know how much you care for us. But you have to let that Shirou go. He's chosen his own path. You should know better than anyone that once Emiya Shirou makes up his mind he sticks to it." Shirou said to her with a smile.

Sakura on the other hand, contorted her face at his assertion. “No, you’re not allowed to do dangerous things anymore! Senpai!” She said very clearly to him.

"Shirou, I understand if you have something to do, but can you not at least leave Sakura some contact details? She is like family to you, you shouldn't just walk away from her like this,” Rider suggested.

“I don’t have a phone, but I live in the northwestern part of the Nexus, right by the outskirts. It isn’t very homey, but you can find me there.” With that, to Sakura’s horror, Shirou turned around once more and jumped, falling feet-first into open air and flecks of snow. She felt an immense feeling of imminent danger, she didn’t know why, but she knew she had to save him. Even if he didn’t understand.

“Rider, go get him! Get him and bring him back!” Sakura firmly ordered Rider with no hesitation in her voice.

[Kat]

Mordred

Now that Mordred gave up on 'pursuing' her lookalike, she had nothing to do. She could as well go back home and have a break from the last two stressful days, but she had that premonition that if someone followed her back to her apartment, her precious white Toyota Cresta on which she spent most of her savings could be demolished by her enemies. She had to part for a while from her, the white treasure of hers locked safely in a garage, at least until Nexus City calmed even a bit.

Her other option was to "refill her batteries" in anticipation of any potential trouble that could await her. She remembered path to damn good spot in Hedge with plentiful of Goblin Fruits, but it would take her a while to reach the park on foot.

[Puck-Chan]

Time

Gintoki

That was a dirty move. That shoddy Majin Buu wannabe was nothing but a coward, and likely that lightning bastard was in cahoots with him. Gintoki tumbled on instinct to avoid the lightning, but it was naturally faster than his own movement. Reaching his left leg, the pain wracked him. He beared it with his willpower, but his such damage slowed him down surely. This was bad, two of his limbs out of commission. He needed outside help badly.

Tohuw Balagan

"Who told you to do that, you cur?" the demon snarled, his eyes reddening with a scarlet tint and narrowing as if to pierce Cole. That filth had no right to touch his toys. To do it once was grave enough, but to do so a second time was unforgivable. The air froze with a terrifying chill, a rumbling came from beneath the earth as if to devour all of them. There was no mistake, the demon was furious. A loud snapping noise broke all sound and overruled it, the demon clicking his tongue and baring his fang.

"A dog should stay down like a dog and not interfere unless told to. Here, go fetch a bone and disappear."

As soon as he spoke with an unnaturally cold voice, he snapped one of the cookies he was holding between his fingers. The earlier boxes simply disappeared before bright light shone down the floor Cole stood next to, and before one could even notice, the asphalt ground began to bubble.

"Tsk, what a shame. It seems you just can't have nice things... oh well." he sighed, lowering his hat and restraining a bitter chuckle.

Cole

The samurai wannabe, somehow, managed to avoid a direct hit from melee range. He couldn't quite dodge completely, though, and ended up going down with a shot to the leg. Had he not been interrupted by a small earthquake, he might have maintained the arc lightning, but instead his attention was torn away to the being floating above them. Then the air snapped before he began to speak.

"A dog should stay down like a dog and not interfere unless told to," it said, "Here, go fetch a bone and disappear."

Unfortunately for it, Cole was firmly of the opinion that talking wasn't a free action.

Before the being could finish, black lightning surged through Cole's arms as he raised them up and brought them down in one swift motion just as the asphalt beside him began to glow.

Without warning, without time to even question what Cole had just done, black lightning pours down from the sky as if to bring to mind the wrath of Zeus, countless massive bolts of lightning striking down upon and around the being.

It has been already one helluva night after the magus and vampire incident. Trucks and explosions, that was one dramatic way to end it. But that didn't make this winter cold any warmer. And the morning had an awfully nice surprise on him as he had to be laid off. In all respects, it shouldn't be with the store lacking many customers. But, this was too soon. Way too soon. Now how the hell is he going to pay off the rent?

A flash of light and cacophonous noise of thunder caught his attention. More of the Nexus' shenanigans. Something Time wouldn't involve himself with. But who cares? He's fired and what else does he have to do? The swordsman trotted off to see what's been going on. Only to see some grand display of what seemed like magic going on. He clicked his tongue at distaste for it and soon saw someone was pretty disheveled. Screwed up. Fucked up.

"Oi, let's get you out of here," he offered a hand towards some silverhead with a kimono.

[SINIB]

Irisviel

"Irisviel . . ." Saber managed to say before the other woman's arms were around her. Irisviel ignored the her friend’s comment and pushed herself forward giving Saber a long kiss on the lips.

[YOLF]

Tar

The detective huffed at her reaction. Truth was, he didn't hate people like her, with their overly serious and worried moments like this. But she didn't have any real reason to lose her composure, and that annoyed him - because Noel, whom he was at least vaguely acquainted with, was someone who seemed to have her heart in the right place, if nothing else. So she probably had a good explanation.

But if you hesitated in the face of prejudice even when you were right, how reliable could you really be?

Henry's hand roughly came down on the girl's head, shaking her skull and ruffling her hair for a moment before he pulled back. "Well, you're lucky. Saber isn't here yet, so I can forgive you this time," he said.

He doubled back to his chair with a little curl at the edge of his lips, and pulled out from a drawer a bundle of pages inside a cover. Unceremoniously he dropped it on top of the desk and gestured for Noel to sit down.

"Go over that. It's the report from the relevant crime scene."


Butler

Butler was pleased at Suiren - no, at his master's acceptance. He was sure working under her would be an interesting experience.

That was when noticed the sudden, bright glare in the distance. And more importantly, Suiren's reaction to it. Like an immaculate professional, he awaited the end of her joyous outburst.

And then, in accordance to her request, he withdrew a flak from his vest and placed it in front of her, announcing with a bow: "As fortune would have it, I carry a flask with whisky on me. I hope this will suffice."