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

[Umbra of Chaos]

Aisha

She didn't even pause in her walking as Lorenzo spoke. To acknowledge what he said meant that he was worthy of her time. He was not, so she paid no heed to his voice and continued her stroll without so much as a backwards glance.

[SINIB]

Sakura Matou

"Sakura, what are you doing?! I know we've been separated for a long time, but you haven't acted like this since the Holy Grail War. What exactly... is wrong. You have to let this other me go! ... And tell me what's wrong."

Sakura looked back at Shirou, the one she was clutching. Nonononononono! She thought to herself. I’m not I’m not I’m not I’m not!I’mnotcrazy! Nothing I’m doing is crazy, this is the only way I can protect him, keep him safe, keep them alive!

“Senpai... Please. Sniff Please, please understand.” She stifled her tears. “You need to be safe. That’s-all I want, ok? I don’t think it’s that much to ask, right?” She asked him for confirmation in a pleading voice. “It isn’t too much for me to want. Is it?”

[theunknownhero]

Shirou (HF)

I can see my reaction to Sakura's actions have upset her. Recalling back to the HGW, the last time I did that she further came into control as Zouken's pawn, eventually developing into her Dark self corrupted by Angra Mainyu. But, seeing her sad and worried face was all I could think about was making her smile again. Still within her embrace I put my arms around her and say.

"I know you're not crazy Sakura. You've always been protective of me, but... you've also trusted and had faith in me no matter how bad things got. Remember back during that horrible Holy Grail War, no matter how bleak the situation you always had faith deep down that Tohsaka, Rider, and I would save you, and we did. You need to have faith in this other me and let him pursue his path. It's true he can get hurt, but when it come to protecting something he hold dear I know he can do it."
 
I then clutch her tighter in my arms and say.

"Just like when it comes to protecting what I hold dear you know I can do it. After all I came all the way from home just to find you."

[Cherry Lover]

Rider sighed at her master's response.

She really has gone crazy, Rider thought.

But, now really did not seem like the time to try to argue with her. She was stressed out and scared about what might happen to the various Shirous she had met, and any attempt to convince her otherwise would only make her more determined. Sakura was, after all, a Tohsaka, and Tohsakas could be extremely stubborn.

As Rider approached Shirou, he projected his familiar twin swords and jumped backwards, before dropping the defensive stance when it became apparent that Rider was not hostile. Unfortunately, though, he did not seem willing to comply.

“I’m sorry,” he said, sighing, “but I’ve delayed too long. I have to find someone important before people get hurt. Tell Sakura I can take care of myself.”

Rider sighed as well.

"I know you can but, as I said, she will not take no for an answer. She is determined to ensure your safety, and your words have left her paranoid about you being hurt. If I disobey her orders, she will lose her trust in me, and I will have no chance of getting through to her and convincing her to drop this self-destructive obsession with protecting you even against your will. Further, she would simply send her other servant to collect you instead, so you would not even gain anything.

Please, just come with me so we can sort this out. I would much rather not have to use force...", she said with a sigh, nevertheless preparing herself to attack in case he chose to run.

[Elf]

Abigail

"I can hear your crazy ghost in your soul.  Forest is scared of it," Abigail said with a sigh.  "Come on, let's get this clean up and I might be able to heal it."

Saber

Saber felt a dull ache start to pound behind her forehead as she looked between Lancelot and Irisviel. 

She put a hand on Lancelot's chest and said, "Irisviel means me no harm, Lancelot."

Then she cleared her throat and turned back to the blushing and stammering Irisviel and said, "In my war Kiritsugu was still alive and you acted as my master by proxy.  You. . . did not survive.  At least that version of you did not."

[yinsukin]

Medaka looked at the two.  It looked like two children having a disagreement on the playground.  Just then, she had an idea.
 
"If you guys really want to fight over a shirt like children, why not settle this like children?  Perhaps a competition?"  Medaka said, with a hint of excitement in her voice.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Lorenzo Remei

"Hah, no need for that." Lorenzo scowled, his anger at the woman faintly clear. He wouldn't hit her or injure her, and there was no point in being unpleasant, although he wished he was enough of a bastard to do so. Still, staying angry forever just wasn't his thing, and he was far from a grudgeful person. Sighing, he chuckled bitterly.

"Don't worry, I won't show my worthless face to you any longer, no matter how pretty it may be. Consider my debt paid, have a good day." The pirate cheered affably, turning his back on the woman who's back was turned against him.

"Let's go Medaka, I need a drink."

[Kotomine_Rin]

Richard

Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. The spectacle that unfolded before the hydromancer was nothing short of the most appalling spectacle he could have seen. But he had no time to ponder, he knew one thing, and one thing was enough: his water was useless.

Bloody hell!

The snow and water that had not been contaminated by the monsters coiled around Richard, and like a twisting typhoon it formed a serpentine body that propelled the man away. There was no time to feel fear, the man knew that if he did as much as look back, he would be caught by the behemoths.

[SINIB]

Sakura Matou

"I know you're not crazy Sakura. You've always been protective of me, but... you've also trusted and had faith in me no matter how bad things got. Remember back during that horrible Holy Grail War, no matter how bleak the situation you always had faith deep down that Tohsaka, Rider, and I would save you, and we did. You need to have faith in this other me and let him pursue his path. It's true he can get hurt, but when it come to protecting something he hold dear I know he can do it." Shirou told her.

Sakura shivered at the mention of the Holy Grail War, remembering the horrible experience. “_{But I didn't think so...}” She murmured under her breath. She remembered how she’d given up hope, lashed out at everyone... Sakura felt his strong arms tighten their embrace around her.

"Just like when it comes to protecting what I hold dear you know I can do it. After all I came all the way from home just to find you." He said.

“But Senpai!” She began, but he clearly didn’t understand and let her voice trail off. She knew that if she let him go find whomever he was looking for, something bad would happen to him. Why doesn’t he understand! She lamented and took a deep breath. “But Senpai, he’ll die! I know he’ll die, so I have to act! I can’t just sit on the sidelines and let fate take you from me!”

[Umbra of Chaos]

Aisha

There was a pit of bitterness in Aisha as she continued to walk away. To know that the Children which now roamed the world were not the same ones that she had sacrificed for years ago was something she knew may had occurred but what she had hoped would not have happened.

Perhaps a being with a less noble purpose would have wondered if there was any meaning in what they had done, but the Lifegiver knew better. She had more than one child to protect after all, and even if they had all changed the eternity within the deep was a price she would have paid for any of them. However this assurance of purpose did little to ease her anger and disappointment.

Eventually she stumbled upon a broken building that seemed just short of falling apart, but that was not what had garnered her interest. The towering pillars of brown vines with large green gems held within them quite easily caught her eyes and attention. With a slight hum of approval she walked over to one of the larger pillars, sat down, and leaned her back against it.

She recognized it as her own. It was an elemental, not quite the same as those she remembered but it was close enough. It was still her Child. Her presence alone caused the vines to overgrow and almost hold her as she sat against it, and almost at peace she closed her eyes and quietly whispered lullabies in the First Tongue as the plants cradled her.


Urthemiel

The Old God had shifted back into his androgynous human form and was content in strolling around the city and taking in the sights. Then he saw the most unwelcome one of a grown man bawling like a child. With a cultured sigh he gave the crying man one last look before calling upon his magic.

There was always something more beautiful about using his magic outside of combat. He could feel the wisps form and coil around him from across the Veil, he could hear the song of the spell and all that it desired to be as his will gave it meaning and purpose. Then with a flick of his finger he expended that energy and froze the trail of tears solid.

"Do refrain from bawling in public. It irritates my ears."


Destroyer Shadowkhan

If you could praise the tainted creatures for something it would be their dedication. The water launched the man away right before the leaping shadowkhan struck him down, but they hit the ground running right after him. They leaped over cars and ran across walls in an attempt to close the distance.

Their changed brethren may have been farther behind but they were closing the distance rapidly. So much of their bodies was water that they flowed with ease around almost any obstacle and did not need to stop or slow down for anything as they simply washed over whatever was in their way.

[yinsukin]

Medaka

Medaka was a bit disappointed that they did not decide to compete.  She had some great ideas.  Still, it was better than fighting.  She had enough of that for the day.  Besides, she still needed to recover emotionally from their encounter with the dark man.  It was the first time she had been utterly defeated like that and she had mixed feelings about it.

"Let's go Medaka, I need a drink." said Lorenzo.

Medaka smiled.  At least Lorenzo was back to himself.  She looked down at herself.  She was still in nothing but a bra and burnt pants.

"Haha yes but first I think I need some new clothes."

[Kotomine_Rin]

Lorenzo Remei

"Why, aren't mines good enough?" Asked Lorenzo, a look that was not unlike that of a puppy across his face.

[yinsukin]

Medaka giggled.  "Well your clothes were comfortable but I need something more.... permanent."  She responded playfully.  "Honestly, I dont mind exposing every inch of my perfectly toned body but its no fun if I can't change things up."  She said while striking a model pose, one hand on her hip with her large chest thrust out.

[Kotomine_Rin]

"Well then, buckle up princess." Lorenzo chuckled, twirling an invisible mustache in delight in response to Medaka's sudden pose. Needless to say, he was a hopeless pervert. Without warning, he grabbed hold of the girl and laughed heartily.

"But you see, it's too cold to have a pretty lady walk like this..." Suddenly, Lorenzo's body heat up, it's temperature rising dramatically. His touch was now like a comfortable bath, and Medaka was lying on his back, held by his strong pirate biceps. Her chest pressed against his heated spa quality tier back, but he didn't mind.

"TO THE CLOTHES SHOP!" he roared, or neighed.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Abigail

"I can hear your crazy ghost in your soul.  Forest is scared of it," Abigail said with a sigh.  "Come on, let's get this clean up and I might be able to heal it."

Law and Archer

The bandaging took a short time. The broom ride to the impound, though, felt far longer. After a little wheeling and dealing with the bored looking officer, Lawrence managed to get the boot off of his Firebird, some gas in the tank, and instructions on how to get to the Target that Abby had mentioned. The ride of course, wasn't the most fun. Archer had walked into the car through the twilight, taking a bored position in the passenger side sheet as Law drove to the store. An awkward silence only broken by the sounds of a classic rock radio station somehow broadcasting in this city filled the car, the sounds of Dio cut off as Law killed the engine in the parking lot.  Fumbling out of the car accompanied by Archer, he made a beeline for the store, eyes open for the familiar sight of Abigail.