Cross Effects- The RP

[Alice]

Tom followed Forest's example and reclined next to her in the water. The scent of lavender was strong, and he found himself quite relaxed indeed, the scent of lavender, the motion of the whirlpool jets and the almost scalding water working their magic on him almost instantly.

He almost mimicked her motion of popping a foot out of the tub before deciding against it. He turned to reply to her. "Oh, I hardly think it's absurd to enjoy such a thing. It's quite interesting really, watching them fizz into nothingness. Plus the scent is quite pleasant."

Nervously, he reached an arm out to place around her waist. The heat combined with the attempted motion left his cheeks rather flushed indeed.

[Elf]

As his arm settled around her waist, Forest turned to Tom, resting her head on his muscular chest.  His heart beat was steady in her ear and his skin warm against her cheek.  She rested her hand on his chest and looked up at him. 

"The first time I got one these I giggled and clapped my hands," she admitted, "I thought it was sort of wonderful."

[Alice]

His heart beginning to race as Forest rested her head on his chest, he arranged his arm so it was securely around her, holding her close.

He chucked and smiled down at her, albeit with a touch of nervousness. "To be quite honest, I can understand that sentiment." His face reddened a bit more. "You could say I was having the same reaction, only internalized."

He chuckled. "Perhaps sometimes it's the small things in life that seem the most wonderous." 

[Elf]

She looked up at him and said, "Your heart's racing."  She lightly stroked his chest, hoping to calm him down, but she smiled at his words.

"Sometimes its the little things that keep one going.  If one focuses on all the horrible then the nice little things like this seem to be worthless.  And when that happens getting by doesn't seem worth it."

[Alice]

He swallowed, his heart rate spiking upward a bit as she stroked his chest. "My apologies. I'm just still getting used to all this." But in short order, he found himself calming down, the water and its scent working on him once more, Forest's closeness and her strokes becoming far more of a comfort to him. Now at ease, he sighed in contentment.

"Indeed, that is true." He smiled grimly. "Perhaps that's something I need to improve on, really. I tend to think overly long on what's wrong in this world, and it makes it difficult at times."

[Elf]

"It's okay," Forest replied, looking up at him, "I . . . understand."  However his heart rate did begin to drop to a more normal rate as more tension eased from Tom's lithe form.

She sighed and said, "Hey, at least you weren't trying to hide from everyone like I was before everything else that happened."

[Milbunk]

Undead Behemoth
Central Circle

The behemoth was cleaning cut in two, bones and mashed up body parts flying everywhere. However it was not done, though the beast was large it was not all that slow, it quickly brought it's fist down right where it sensed the attack had come from. The two pieces slowly beginning to merge back into one.

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Monster of Ruin
Summoning Circle 1

Dazed from the sudden body being thrown at it then followed by being grabbed by the thrower. The monster attempted it's own hold on the man, it then began to glow an eery red if the monster was going to die then it would rather take someone down with it!

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Downy Reed
Summoning Circle 1

His monsters were busy dealing with the crazed Vampire like creature, so it was up to Downy to deal with the other two. Preparing his next action he finally recieved the call he had been waiting for.

'... Mas... ..ear  Master! Can you hear me!'

'Iminity! So you've finally found me and not a moment too soon. Where are you right now?'

'We are on route, it should only be another few moments before we arrive, we managed to locate your beacon and are signalling in on it.'

'Excellent! With any luck we can defeat the few that have dared to stand against me. And then we can continue our conquest as soon as possible.'

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The 4 Generals of Ruin
Travelling on Route

A final flash and they were high above the city slowly levitating down thanks to Imnity's levitation spell.

"Alright everyone you know our goals, locate Downy, aid him in whatever he's doing, and then leave this place. Now let's go!"

And they were off split into 4 different groups, each one headed towards a different location.

[Alice]

"Eh heh... Actually, I do tend to hide quite a bit. I do stroll out in public on occasion, but I still tend to keep to myself." His expression became serious. "It's almost a necessity, really, in my case. Even if a sample of my DNA were to be taken and replicated, this whole city would be in terrible danger. And... if I were to be captured again..."

He thought too hard about it and suddenly a rush of memories came back. Even though the circumstances kept him calmer than normal, his breaths became rapid, his heart pumping wildly from the adrenaline. Sweat began to bead on his face, from more than just the heat of the water.

A myriad of eyes staring at him, objects poking and prodding at him, pain of various types and varieties as he was experimented on, helpless in spite of all of his power, helpless to stop any of it- he screamed for it to stop but they wouldn't stop, it just kept hurting and hurting and hurting-

Something warm and wet making its way down his cheek snapped him back to reality. He realized that he was holding Forest just a bit too tightly, and he sat there, trying to reacclimate himself to everything. It was a shame, really. Up until now, it had all had been so perfect. And what would Forest think?

[Elf]

Tom's hold on her tightened and his whole demeanor changed.  His heart rate spiked up, his eyes were darting around but focusing on nothing, he was sweating, and there was the smell of fear in the air.  Every one of those muscles of his were tense.

Then Forest saw it.  The memories that haunted her new lover.  A spike of rage tinted her vision red as she saw the people staring at him.  Poking and prodding on him like he was just some lab rat while he was helpless to their whims.  Pain, endless pain as he was experimented on.

She recognized some of the implements they had used on him.  Needles for blood samples.  Various narcotics to keep him calm.  Restraints and other things.

She brushed his tears away and shifted so she could hold him.  Again, her hand stroked his thick, wet hair as she held him close.  "No one is going to hurt you," she told him, "You're safe now.  Anyone tries to capture you . . . Well, may their god have mercy on them."

Tom, you're safe.  I'm not going to let anything get to you.

[Alice]

Tom's breathing started to become more regular, his heart slowing down as Forest held him close, her fingers running through his hair, her presence soothing.

"No one is going to hurt you," she told him, "You're safe now.  Anyone tries to capture you . . . Well, may their god have mercy on them."

Tom, you're safe.  I'm not going to let anything get to you.

Even as frightened from his memories as he remained, something about her words made him feel... safe. He'd never felt something like this before. Not even as a child had he felt truly secure like this. Never had anyone cared so much for his welfare. Never had anyone sworn vengeance for his sake and his sake alone.

His arms surrounding her, holding her tightly, Tom mentally whispered the only words that he could think to say.

Thank you.

[Elf]

You're welcome, she sent back to him, stroking his cheek.

Tom, look at me and breathe, in and out, she prompted as he held onto her for dear life.  You're here with me, and you're safe. 

Then she kissed him.

[Alice]

He returned her kiss, his body relaxing as the familiar taste of orange was on his lips once again.

It was odd, but... he felt something stirring inside him. Not lust, no, even if she'd certainly elicited that in him before, but something else. Forest was making him feel something he'd never felt towards anyone. Something that made him want to be with her always, and yet ensure her happiness.

For the first time in many years, the icey shield around his heart began to crack, letting a ray of sunlight work its way in at long last.

[Elf]

Forest gently moved her lips and tongue in a slow rhythm with Tom's.  She felt him relax against her, felt something change that she couldn't put into words.  Lips swollen again, Forest ended the kiss with a tiny smile.

She needed to protect him and keep him safe.  He'd been through too much already; it was his right to be happy.  She stroked his cheek and met his eyes.

Better? she asked. 

[Alice]

He couldn't help but smile back at her as he answered her. Much better, thanks to you.

He gently placed his forehead against hers, holding there for a moment before releasing and pulling her into an embrace, cradling her body against his. He sighed contentedly as his fingers stroked her hair. Somehow, holding her close like this, he already felt safer.

[Elf]

Forest smiled back at him as he rested his forehead against hers.  She shivered slightly at the contact.  They were both telepathic and now their Third Eyes were touching.  The wave of contentment that she sensed from him caught her unaware. 

He shifted so he could hold her again, cradling her against him.  She curled into his embrace, surprised at just how well their bodies fit together.  Automatically she arched into the touch in her hair with a smile, noting how comfortable he was with her.

And oddly enough, how comfortable she was with him.

You're welcome.  After all, you helped me.