Cross Effects- The RP

[YOLF]

As Sir Bonesington walked (floated) down the deceivingly ordinary looking street, ignoring the multitude of looks he was receiving from few bystanders, it finally occurred to him that he didn't really know where to start looking for.... anything, really.

Oh, and that he was quite possibly stuck here, didn't have an actual means of transportation, and was homeless. But those were minor issues! He still had at least something like a gold bar somewhere on him, he was sure. He never left home without one. All he'd have to do is look for a real estate agent and - Actually no, wait, it'd probably be a good idea to get a lawyer first.

Well, that and gold bars weren't usually accepted currency.

"Hmmm?"

He stopped as his vision noticed something in the skyline of the city. He took a moment to better analyze the sight in the distance, and his expression lit up with wonder.

A castle? Wonderful! Someone who liked castles enough to build one in the middle of town couldn't possibly be any sort of suspicious or unpleasant individual. It was decided! He was going to make that castle his first stop in this town!

Which he still didn't know the name of, come to think of it. Well, small worries.

Sir Bonesington was just about to make his way in the direction of the castle sticking out of the building skyline when suddenly, a good smell reached his perception.

He looked to his right. There was a bakery there. And the smell of delicious baked goods was emanating from it. The arch-lich stopped in his tracks. He looked to the far-off shape of the castle. And back to the bakery. Then he did it again.

"... just a croissant first."

[lantzblades]

Angra stopped abruptly "ok, weird, he's going off with a cop down town, he says he'll get his sister to call when he gets out as a signal. No parties or boys while he's gone and no sex with men, ha he's cute when possessive. Don't do anyone he wouldn't do, have fun, lay low and he wants us in maid outfits before he gets back or he'll do something terrible" she explained.

"I guess this means we can watch porn and work each other over in bed if you want" she offered her lavender haired companion.

Satoshi sighed getting in the car and buckling up.

Tsukasa caught wind of Satoshi, victory would be hers this time. Ninjas had to be the way to win. It was obvious to her as she raced through the city.

[Bloble]

Luka pocketed his worthless money and nodded. "Well, I suppose I'll go with-."

He paused and watched as a man who seemed to be nothing but a skeleton wearing clothes floated into the bakery and got into line. At least, he thought it was a man.

"Definitely male. Those hip bones don't lie," Undine murmured.

"What?"

"Never mind."

Right. Ignoring the skeleton man. It was probably a normal sight in the strange world he'd discovered.

"Just surprise me, I guess. I don't think I even know the names of any of these foods."

[YOLF]

Licking his lips in anticipation (no, he didn't know how he was doing that without lips or a tongue either, and he frankly was not bothered in the least), Sir Bonesington strolled inside the bakery and gingerly proceeded down the waiting line to the counter.

The man at the cashier looked up at him with an expression of mixed horror and anxiety, and did not even greet him.

How uncouth.

"A chocolate croissant. On the double. I'll be having it here. Also, don't forget the most important part of a homely business like this is a smile." He said, pointing finger almost touching the man's face, before leaving in a huff and sitting down in a free table by the window.

The glass instantly seemed to haze over a little.

He propped up his chin on his bony hands as he took in the place with a satisfied hum. Well, maybe the cashier was a bit cold on his feet, but the place was nice. And if their food tasted as good as it smelled...

"H-here's your croissant, sir!"

A waitress in a nice but conservative uniform called out to him from his left as she laid down a napkin and a plate with a very appetizing looking croissant still steaming, liquid chocolate dripping a little from inside of it. Her voice had a hint of nervousness, but she was smiling and clearly doing her best to sound welcoming.

Cute little thing. 'A' for effort and honesty.

"Thank you, m'dear." he answered with a tiny tip of his hat.

She nodded in appreciation and went to another table in just a little bit of a hurry. Now then.

Sir Bonesington stared, entranced, at his lovely pastry, for a moment. And then took it into his hand and started to dig in.

"HHHHHMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmn~"

It was sweet and filling, and the chocolate almost felt like it could melt him.

Just heavenly.

[Cherry Lover]

Hmm, 'something terrible'? Sounds fun....

"He really doesn't know how to motivate me, does he? If he'd just asked I'd do it, but now the thought of 'something terrible' is just too tempting to miss...", Rider said with a laugh.

"But let's worry about him later. Right now I have you to deal with", Rider added lustily as she undressed her soon-to-be captive with her eyes.

She frowned slightly at Angra's offer, though. It didn't seem to involve much in the way of torture.

You haven't forgotten your earlier offer, have you? What I have in mind doesn't involve a bed or porn...."

Hmm, wait, did she say each other? Maybe she wants a go at me too...

Technically, Rider could do whatever she liked with Angra with no thought for the girl's wishes, her offer had been very wide-ranging. But, Angra had been very accomodating to her, and she was in a rather good mood right now, so she felt like giving something back.

"I'll tell you what, since you've been so nice, I'll give you an incentive.

However long you last with me, I'll do double. I'll be your slave, do anything you want, as long as it doesn't kill or corrupt me. No escape, no safe word, nothing, you can just do what you want. If you want to lie there cuddling and watching porn or if you want to torture me to the point of insanity, or anything in between, I'll do it."

[Aiden]

Luka pocketed his worthless money and nodded. "Well, I suppose I'll go with-."

He paused and watched as a man who seemed to be nothing but a skeleton wearing clothes floated into the bakery and got into line. At least, he thought it was a man.

"Definitely male. Those hip bones don't lie," Undine murmured.

"What?"

"Never mind."

Right. Ignoring the skeleton man. It was probably a normal sight in the strange world he'd discovered.

"Just surprise me, I guess. I don't think I even know the names of any of these foods."

It was clearly not a normal sight, at least not to Valda's worldly eyes. Where she came from beings like herself were hidden phenomena, and magic was a living thing in its own right that sought to hide its manifestations from the corrosive effects of mortal attention. And yet nobody seemed to do more than show a sense of unease and preservation motivated nervousness; it was not the panic of people completely unaware of the the world's possibilities.

'This could be agreeable.'

With that concluded she let out an unnecessary little cough into her left hand, and turned her attention back to Luka. "Very well then; with me."

She grabbed him by the hand and pretty much dragged him with her into the bakery as hunger overcame all over considerations. She would have much preferred to eat him, or rather what was inside of him, but she would have to make do with this until she had him somewhere quiet and alone where she could... be more certain that the mana she took from him was a gift as needed.

Playing on the discomfort of the cashier and driven by the delectable scents in the bakery, Valda leaned in and let her accent and presence do the rest. "I'll have six of what the skeleton purchased, two blueberry muffins, a slice of that lemon frosted pound cake and two bottles of apple juice. Right away please, my good man."

Sure, it would be costly, but she had plans now. It would not matter for long.

[Cherry Lover]

Kiyoshi nodded as Ryoko explained her situation.

I understand what she means, cooking when you're exhausted isn't fun....

Cookies sound good, though. I wonder if she's been talking to her alternate father...?

Before he could reply, though, Shirou came down and talked to him.

"You know, you're not supposed to force people to accept your help...", said Shirou.

No, but I would have liked at least some acknowledgement, he thought, slightly annoyed at him missing the point somewhat.

But, then, he changed tack.

"But forget that. Did you say you're cooking? Mind cooking me something as well?" Shirou said, noticing how happy the boy was to help. "I haven't eaten anything for ages."

"Sure, what would you like?" said Kiyoshi brightly. "I'd be glad if you'd help me, too, I like cooking with family."

Kiyoshi knew that Aunty Rider had told him to keep away from this man, that he wasn't his father, but Kiyoshi simply couldn't accept that. He might have some issues, but as far as Kiyoshi was concerned he was still "daddy".

Ryoko shouted to him once more.

"Well- I'm going to finish up with Lancer and then I'll see if I can help, alright?" she said.

"I understand, Ryoko-nee, and thank you for acknowledging me and not just leaving me to run off. If you're tired you don't need to cook, pizza sounds fine. Do you want me to take a look, see what I want?

If you can help me with this soup I'd be happy, but I can do it myself, and Shirou's food too. If you're tired then cooking together can wait until tomorrow. Baking cookies is going to be fun", Kiyoshi said, smiling, as he continued walking towards the kitchen.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

Walking over to Ran, Lawrence put his hand on her forehead, plasm leaking out to seal and heal her self inflicted cuts. Perhaps a waste, but hey, this way they wouldn't scar.

"That should do something, but I'd wrap some bandages around it just in case. Not exactly sure this will work on you."

A martial artist knew their own body before anything, and I knew whatever he'd done worked before he expressed his concern.

His hand was nice and warm though. My own hand absently went up to hold it, and I gently pulled his hand off of my forehead. I didn't let go just yet, though. Instead I held it at body height, close to my breast but not touching just yet.

"Thank you," I said, almost whispering, and looked him in the eyes. "So, to bed we go?"

I smiled, my hands still holding his, and pulled ever so slightly towards the cot.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Lawrence let her drag him towards the cot, grinning a little himself. "Isn't that bed a little small for the two of us? Doesn't look like it'll be that comfortable..."

That was weak. Do you call that a pick up line?

'Shut up. You aren't exactly Rico Suave either.'

[Alice]

"I understand, Ryoko-nee, and thank you for acknowledging me and not just leaving me to run off. If you're tired you don't need to cook, pizza sounds fine. Do you want me to take a look, see what I want?

If you can help me with this soup I'd be happy, but I can do it myself, and Shirou's food too. If you're tired then cooking together can wait until tomorrow. Baking cookies is going to be fun", Kiyoshi said, smiling, as he continued walking towards the kitchen.

Ryoko tilted her head at how articulate he was for a boy his age before answering him. "Yeah, sure, we can look together. I can lead you back to where Lancer got out the number and menu if you want to do that now. And as for the soup, I'll see what I can do."

In the meantime, there was also Shirou to reply to.

"He needs it," Shirou said simply, "Believe me, I'd love nothing more than to commandeer the kitchen. But you saw how ecstatic he was to help someone, and even more so when that someone is part of his family. It's like he's a miniature version of my teenage self, always looking to help, to find ways to be a hero, to protect his family without thinking of the consequences and after-effects of doing so. But...after all he's been through this past day, being separated from his family amongst other things, I figured I'll let him have his way this once."

"I do see your point though," he continued, "so this isn't which will happen again."

Ryoko shot Connor a Look at his back before turning back to Shirou. She sighed and shook her head. "Nah, it's my bad. I jumped to the wrong conclusion. It's been one of those nights, you know what I mean?"

She was honestly a bit surprised. In spite of some of the things her parents had told her, this young man acted so much like her Uncle Shirou. She gave him a wan smile. "The least I owe you after that is a proper introduction." She gave him a bow. "I'm Tohsaka Ryoko. Nice to meet you."

***

Tom winced slightly. There was a boy headed towards the kitchen. Tom didn't tend to be particularly fond of children. And he didn't really want to have to deal with this one. But it would seem that it was perhaps unavoidable- he could try to simply walk past the lad and pray that he wasn't noticed, but he found that possibility unlikely. And it was likely not worth risking detection by using his powers. So he braced himself, hoping the boy would find him too intimidating and just leave him be.

[Elf]

"Yet another nuisance has appeared? Well it was to be expected, very well then I shall deal with them accordingly."

Gabriel's eyebrows raised at that and he resisted the urge to laugh.  He really is full of himself, isn't he? he thought with a smirk as the wizard vanished.  He expanded his senses, feeling out for the tale-tell signature of the wizard. Cold.  Volatile.  Lightning during a blizzard.  He got a bead on him and memorized the feel in case the bastard decided to rabbit.  Then he walked into the Shadows.

A dull roar filled his ears as waves of black, greys, blues, violet, and deep red flickered around him.  Light was absent here, but he could see as clear as crystal.  He took off at a run, already finding the wizard to where he had ran to.  Once he located the wizard, he opened the Shadows and stepped behind him, folding his arms across his chest.

"Nuisance? I believe I am going to make your night much worse than just being a 'nuisance'," Gabriel said with a smirk as he prepared himself for retaliation.

******

Lancer sighed and lowered her to bed.  "Rest.  If you were a might bit better I'd offer to fill your stores myself."  He grinned at that and stroked her hair back. 

"Now, do you need any water or tea?  I'm sure I could make a brew that'll help your head right about now."

******

Archer turned off the water and handed Rin her towel.  "Besides, I can mess with Lancer.  That's always fun."

******

Forest sighed, squared her shoulders, and looked at Finn.  "Attacking" him would be the best way to get her point across, but he hadn't deserved that sort of treatment.  Even though she wanted to punch something right now and he was making himself a convenient target.

"I'm flattered, I really am," she began, "But I run in the sort of circles that would kill or break you.  It wouldn't work.  Besides, you're not exactly my 'type'."

[Bloble]

"This is..."

"This is..."

"It's great!" Luka happily chowed down on the croissant, enjoying the fluffy taste and how the chocolate ran over his tongue. Finally, in a world where nothing made sense, he'd discovered that good food was universally enjoyed. The place couldn't be that bad if people still liked tasty stuff. (And perhaps he could get employment as a chef if he never found a way back to his world.)

"It's not great!" Salamander snapped. "Gnome says there's tons of freaky chemicals in it! The ingredients were grown in dirt that might as well have been sewage for all the stuff they put in it!"

"This chocolate..."

"They got it from the other side of the world! They flew the beans in, fried them in an oven that goes over a thousand degrees, and mass produced the stuff so it would be everywhere!"

"How do you even know that?"

The question shut up the spirit long enough for Luka to enjoy another bite of delicious pastry. He didn't have that kind of stuff in his world. Maybe he'd be able to reverse-engineer the recipe and make some for Alice back home. She would be ecstatic...

The thought of home drove away the happy thoughts that had built up. Yes... home. There was still the problem of that to consider. If he hadn't had the spirits with him (coincidentally picking them up for the road trip had been a lucky decision) he wasn't sure he would've been able to stay sane. At the moment, he still had no idea where he was, although his temporary companion seemed to know just fine.

Luka swallowed the remainder of the croissant, placing his empty plate on the table with the rest of the food. "I'm glad you recognize this place. It means you're probably still in your world," he told Valda. "I'm sure finding your way back home from here won't be a problem." From any other person the words would have sounded bitter, but it was obvious that he was honestly happy for her. She had helped him, so she had to be a good person. At least this way only one of them would be in trouble.

"Hey, don't be so nice to her," Sylph said, fuming from her charred hair being stuck in an afro shape. "You're still a married man, mister! If I catch you eloping with another woman, I'm reporting it to the Monster Lord!"

"...don't be ridiculous, Sylph."

[Aiden]

"This is..."

"This is..."

"It's great!" Luka happily chowed down on the croissant, enjoying the fluffy taste and how the chocolate ran over his tongue. Finally, in a world where nothing made sense, he'd discovered that good food was universally enjoyed. The place couldn't be that bad if people still liked tasty stuff. (And perhaps he could get employment as a chef if he never found a way back to his world.)

"It's not great!" Salamander snapped. "Gnome says there's tons of freaky chemicals in it! The ingredients were grown in dirt that might as well have been sewage for all the stuff they put in it!"

"This chocolate..."

"They got it from the other side of the world! They flew the beans in, fried them in an oven that goes over a thousand degrees, and mass produced the stuff so it would be everywhere!"

"How do you even know that?"

The question shut up the spirit long enough for Luka to enjoy another bite of delicious pastry. He didn't have that kind of stuff in his world. Maybe he'd be able to reverse-engineer the recipe and make some for Alice back home. She would be ecstatic...

The thought of home drove away the happy thoughts that had built up. Yes... home. There was still the problem of that to consider. If he hadn't had the spirits with him (coincidentally picking them up for the road trip had been a lucky decision) he wasn't sure he would've been able to stay sane. At the moment, he still had no idea where he was, although his temporary companion seemed to know just fine.

Luka swallowed the remainder of the croissant, placing his empty plate on the table with the rest of the food. "I'm glad you recognize this place. It means you're probably still in your world," he told Valda. "I'm sure finding your way back home from here won't be a problem." From any other person the words would have sounded bitter, but it was obvious that he was honestly happy for her. She had helped him, so she had to be a good person. At least this way only one of them would be in trouble.

"Hey, don't be so nice to her," Sylph said, fuming from her charred hair being stuck in an afro shape. "You're still a married man, mister! If I catch you eloping with another woman, I'm reporting it to the Monster Lord!"

"...don't be ridiculous, Sylph."

Valda on the other hand had eaten three croissants by herself in the time it took Luka to finish one. With the utmost determination and grace she had demolished those baked goods, and proceeded to lick her fingers clean with a long, dangerously inappropriate 'mmm...'

The hunger burning inside of her did not diminish, but it did not hurt so greatly while she was in the process of her futile attempts to sate it. That was a positive in any case. She was still eyeing the slice of pound cake, too, so that bit of suffering wasn't exactly about to come back again quite so soon. And she was so glad to see someone else enjoying good food without reservation as well; this was a young human with sense.

"Isn't it just?" She says when he talks with his mouth full like that, wiping her fingers and adjusting her glasses while she took him in. And reached for that pound cake.

Observing him while eating gave her the chance to focus more on the wonderfully burning essence she knew was lurking inside him, along with other sources of mana to draw from too. This was all going so well considering the fact that she had no idea where she was.

So at his comment about this being her world, she simply said, "No."

When the inevitable shock came to his face she clarified. "Magic and monsters in my world," Valda says while pointing to the skeletal being in the bakery with them, "are hidden phenomena where I come from. Monsters hide themselves from human awareness, lest they are destroyed by the pressing weight of their numbers. Magic is corroded by observation from ordinary humans, and as a living thing it hides itself away."

A bite of the pound cake, and she took a moment to savor that delicious lemon flavor and swallow before continuing. "Neither are happening here, and it is not being treated as unusual. Therefore, I am as far from home as you are; the only difference is I had the fortune to end up somewhere that is functionally similar."

[Bloble]

"Oh..." And just like that, the small happiness was gone, and Luka was once more out of ideas. So this was a third world, one completely foreign to him and only slightly familiar to her. If two people had been snatched from different worlds and thrown into one... something sinister was obviously at work.

"What about all the stuff about her world?" Undine asked. "Are you not the least bit curious about how it differs from ours?"

"Not really," Luka admitted. "It's not my business to ask. Besides, we have to focus on getting back home."

He looked up at Valda, who was just polishing off the last of their meal and looking not the least bit sated for it. "...maybe we can ask someone from here. There has to be someone who knows about why we ended up in this place. You don't just get two different people from two different worlds falling into another without an explanation behind it. At least, I don't know of any magic that could do something like that."

Well, one person might just be a freaky accident. But two? No, coincidences like that just didn't happen.

He looked at the skeleton man again. Perhaps...

[Aiden]

"Oh..." And just like that, the small happiness was gone, and Luka was once more out of ideas. So this was a third world, one completely foreign to him and only slightly familiar to her. If two people had been snatched from different worlds and thrown into one... something sinister was obviously at work.

"What about all the stuff about her world?" Undine asked. "Are you not the least bit curious about how it differs from ours?"

"Not really," Luka admitted. "It's not my business to ask. Besides, we have to focus on getting back home."

He looked up at Valda, who was just polishing off the last of their meal and looking not the least bit sated for it. "...maybe we can ask someone from here. There has to be someone who knows about why we ended up in this place. You don't just get two different people from two different worlds falling into another without an explanation behind it. At least, I don't know of any magic that could do something like that."

Well, one person might just be a freaky accident. But two? No, coincidences like that just didn't happen.

He looked at the skeleton man again. Perhaps...

It was perhaps fortunate that she felt deep in her soul that the rest of her self had been pulled into this world as well. Valda had no idea here these components were, but at least she could rest easy that she did not have to scramble to return to her native world as this 'Luka' seemed so eager to do with his own. But the way he seemed to deflate like a round object full of air poked full of holes made her heart clench again. Such a bizarre circulatory response, that feeling.

A deep gulp of juice made it better momentarily. Ahh. Now she saw her chance.

"I propose we remain together and assist each other, until such time as we can both return from whence we came. Assuming, of course, that questioning..." She trailed off for a moment, following Luka's gaze to the skeletal mage once more, "... does not bear fruit."