Cross Effects 3.0 - April 13, 2015—June 23, 2016

[SINIB]

NOERU VARRMILLLION!!!!!!

Noel cowered from Lancalot’s scathing expression, trying to shrink away into nothing to escape his frown. As soon as he grasped her hand, she saw a flash of darkness and anger, causing her to jump back and nearly drop her folder. She wordlessly ran away to follow Henry, unwilling to think about what’d just happened.

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura vaguely heard her Senpai speak in the background. She was too tired to really comprehend anything he was saying, however. She chose to lean more heavily on Rin instead of trying to wake up in the end, yawning a couple of times before he finally finished speaking. She heard Rin’s response more clearly. It’s too hard to ignore someone you’re leaning against. She observed.

"Well he's no Archer or Rider," Rin said, grinning slightly before clasping Sakura's hands in her own, "But I think he'll do.  Now, your Shirou's right.  You're about ready to drop, so listen to your nee-san okay?"

“Kay...” Sakura said sleepily. She didn’t really want to do anything but take a nap at this point anyway. Rin shivered as a result of a particularly cold gust of wind whipping by. “You need warmer clothes, Nee-san.” Sakura stated flatly.

“Am I free to go now?” Shirou asked, giving both Rin and Sakura a cold stare.

‘Shirou’s pointed question forced Sakura back awake, causing her to shiver. She didn’t like that, she didn’t like that one bit. She didn’t like him being so mad at her, she just wanted him to be safe, what’s wrong with that? She wondered. She turned and silently stared at him guiltily, clearly extremely unhappy about the turn of events, cringing from his furious glare. “Sen-pai--” She began before she grabbed him in a hug and burst into tears once more. “I’m sorry-I’m sorry Senpai-don’t be mad I only wanted to make sure you’d be ok! I’m sorry, just don’t be mad, don’t hate me! I don’t want that, I don’t want that at all-” She pleaded with him before she stopped abruptly and rested her head on his shoulder, leaning against his darkened cheek. “Senpai... Please don’t be mad.” She slowly said before closing her eyes.

[YOLF]

Tar

Henry was really hoping that this team wouldn't prove as disfunctional in the field as in social and professional interactions. At the time, he wasn't particularly confident. Especially given he knew nothing about the black knight whose name suspiciously matched a figure in Arthurian legends, and how Noel did not at all act as the efficient fighter her profile described her as.

Then again, the demon of all people knew better than to judge people for what they appeared to be.

Huffing in his usual grump manner for emphasis, he led the ragtag investigation team to the car. He didn't miss the suspension visibly sinking as Lancelot stepped inside the worn but respectable police force vehicle. He turned the key in the ignition, holding the steering wheel with the other hand, and looked behind him to the back seat as the engines flared to life.

"I got industrial flashlights and masks in the back for when we go down," he said, his eyebrows in near straight lines. "I expect you all to gear up as needed once we arrive. We got guys watching most of the entrances and exits to the sewers in the area already, and we will be starting from the nearest manhole to where this investigation began proper."

The detective turned away, making himself comfortable in the driver's seat, and gripped the direction firmly. While making every pre-driving check, he declared, "Now put on your seatbelts, and speak up if you have any questions I can answer."

[Kat]

Rikuyo

"Yup, better show me your best!" she smiled as she assumed her stance, crouching on all fours. Her attitude changed visibly, as she looked more focused as she observed Roxas. "C'mon, you are the younger one here, so go ahead and attack me first. I left my village to look for someone better than my big bro, but I don't mind teaching young'uns a thing or two." she encouraged the teen to make his move first. 

Mordred

(OOC: Forgot to mention she also brought 5 fruits with here in her last post)

"I will lead the way" she said, intent on going back through the same Hedge Gate "I guess after my last display Briarwolves are not keen on trying again, lucky us. We will end up in the park, but don't lower your guard, I fought once there and got beaten up. That wasn't enjoyable..." she recalled her duel against the Hidden, thoroughly humiliated and mocked (or so she perceived) by his master. Oh, if she only got her hands on that guy! Day by day her the list of people who crossed her in her perception only grew.

Mordred crossed the portal, coming out first.

[YOLF]

Shadowkhan

The Assassin didn't feel the impact of the staff to its arms as its blows were parried - but it felt the staff smash like a missile against its throat. Its cry was choked out by the crunch of the extended neck breaking, black bones inside its tainted flesh shattering and caving in, carrying the being's torso backwards with the force, contrary to its forward motion.

The assassin lost balance, but did not stop its assault. It gargled as its vision hazed over, its flesh ached, and the darkness in its veins bubbled stubbornly, but did not fall over even as it neared oblivion. The tendrils protruding from its flesh extended in an instant, lashing out to pierce the martial artist from many sides.


Sarse

If Sarse had been any other seraphim, he might have been offended. Not by the poison evident in the woman(?)'s remark, or by the accusation of 'falsehood', but by both leveraged at once. But he considered himself a tolerant angel. He had gotten worse for having once been a demon, for deciding to redeem himself, and for both. Or maybe he was just stoic to that kind of attitude because he had passed many of his early days wallowing in ataraxia to more flagrant people.

No, he was not offended. But he was perturbed. Sarse the Seraphim, Sarse the Redeemed, Sarse the Servitor of Yves... did not deal in falsehood. He had sworn to not deal in falsehood, and chosen so. That was precisely why he could not be upset at the woman. He did not understand the processes of her personal 'truth', the reasons behind her reaction; but he understood her feelings. He understood the existential outrage at something that lied to the world, that insulted the truth that did not deserve to be sullied by lies.

He hadn't felt this uncomfortable in a long time, truly. It was actually a little annoying - he couldn't fathom it, but he didn't like the idea of bearing on another in a different kind of right.

In the end, he could say nothing, and simply eyed her self-mutilation (that soon there were no traces of) and the vial she gave the young girl warily. Then, with a sigh he turned his attention to the two who had come to his defense verbally.

"Thank you for speaking up," he said, with a small smile. "Than already introduced me but... you can call me Sarse. And you are?"

[Panda]

Emily

Emily simply nods at Mordred's warning, taking a moment to prepare a Contract she hadn't used in a while, just in case. As the Glamour starts to seep forth, she steps through the Gate behind Mordred, scanning the park for any potential threats.


Michael

The satisfying crunch of the being's neck shattering told the immortal he'd struck true. However, it wasn't enough. Taking advantage of the hook at the end of the staff, Michael begins to pull the creature down by hook now buried in its throat when those sharp tendrils burst forth, coming around to pierce him from all sides.

Without a moment's thought wasted on the decision, Michael jumps straight up, pushing the staff downwards as he does so to both pull the creature down and to provide a pivot point to direct his landing away from the beast. Apparently some tendrils were sent down from above as well, as Michael takes quite a few nasty gashes on the way up, but lands away from the beast nonetheless before making his way over to Natara.

[SINIB]

Irisviel

Irisviel’s shoulders slumped as the dragon turned man turned into a large raven and perched himself on Sakura’s shoulders. She decided against doing anything vocal, she didn’t want to upset him and make him want to do something dangerous. She clenched Sakura’s hand significantly tighter and picked up the pace, hoping she’d get the message.

[Cherry Lover]

As soon as she had said they couldn't leave, Irisviel approached Sakura, saying she needed to get going quickly, before grabbing her hand and leading her to the car. It was clear from the way she looked at Sakura and the way she was speaking that Irisviel really wanted to leave, and Sakura saw no reason not to agree to her request. She'd been nice so far, after all and, besides, she was Ilya's mother, which made Sakura naturally extremely sympathetic towards her.

Understanding Irisviel's desire to leave, she began to follow after her, hoping to leave behind the blob-man as well as the newcomer, preparing to excuse herself to the dragon-man. Before she could, however, the blob-man seemingly vanished and, then, the dragon-man turned into a beautiful raven with purple ends to its wings, and flew over to her, landing on her shoulder.

Sakura looked at him uncomfortably, unsure of what to say. He had been nice enough to her, but it seemed like Iri really did not want him around, and after what he had done she could not blame her. At the same time, she didn't really wish to unnecessarily offend the obviously-extremely-powerful being. However, as she pondered the situation, she noticed that Irisviel's shoulders had slumped, and that she was gripping Sakura's hand noticably tighter and walking noticably faster.

Sakura sighed. She didn't really want to tell the man to go away, but Irisviel had a very good reason for being upset at him, and Sakura had absolutely no desire to inconvenience her. Turning towards the pretty bird perched on her shoulder, she spoke.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think my friend wants you to come with us, and given that you nearly set her on fire I think she has good reason to feel that way. If you have a phone number or something, perhaps we can talk another time, but right now I'd much prefer it if you would leave", she said politely, hoping that the being would follow her wishes.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Natara

The Caretaker carefully looked around as the smoke began to clear and as Michael dispatched the tainted creature and began to move towards her she quickly turned away and began to walk with a bit of unsteadiness in her step. She was far from quick and nearly stumbled multiple times but she refused to look back at the staff wielding man. This was all too much. Natara almost felt like curling up into a ball and crying until all the pent up emotion was released.

The pain in her head had been replaced with a feeling of disgust and anger as she could feel the new Taint moving and squirming in her veins. Her thin frame trembled with fury but her elegant grasp on The Chalice remained steady. The liquid within it was placid and didn't even ripple as its warden walked.


Urthemiel

The raven gave the purple haired girl the closest thing a bird could get to a disgruntled look before leaping from her shoulders and transforming into a man once more. The Old God kept pace with the two women and reached across the Fade for one of its innumerable lesser denizens. It barely took any effort to pull a few dozen wisps from the Fade and allow them to materialize as small, green balls of light which quickly began to float around the woman.

Wisps were barely intelligent to be perfectly honest. The leftover remains of powerful magic or a defeated demon didn't even have personalities, but they could follow relatively simple instructions and navigate the Fade. Sometimes. There was a reason he brought forth many of them.
"If the pest comes to bother you again send these to me. It may be foolish but it did manage to harness enough power to drown people in a flood of confectioneries. Comical perhaps but less so to the ones who were trapped in their transportation. Do try not to die as well. It would be a shame if a beauty as rare as yours was extinguished so early."

With that said he stopped and simply watched the duo walk away towards their vehicle. If spending ages within the depths of the earth had taught Urthemiel anything it was patience. He had watched the fall of the world's greatest civilization and rose a new empire from its ashes. Years beyond reckoning spent planning and setting pieces into motion. He could wait however long it took for the woman to contact him.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Tohuw Balagan

"Well, excuuuse me oh gracious sir. I would not have done that if you hadn't tried to *ahem* burn me! Did I really have other options? Nope, I didn't." the demon bemoaned, his voice squeacky sneaky because of the fact that flies tend to not talk very loud unless it's summer and you are trying to sleep.

 But even sneakier, since noone ever heard a fly talk (they ninjas!). Hopefully she would hear his amazing argument, but the others... probably not.

Besides, even if he did have other options, it's not like he had the time to reflect on them while being BBQ'd.

"Doon't worry, I am sure they are just fine." the demon assured Iri.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Abigail

If Abby hadn't been leaning against the cushions in the cart, she would have staggered at the sudden swell of self-loathing she sensed from Archer.  As it was she hissed slightly and rubbed her forehead at the sudden pain she was feeling there.  She shook it off and eyed the Servant before making a face.

"You know, instead of killing this person, maybe you could help them.  Novel idea, right?" she asked before looking back towards the dressing room.

"As I said. They're beyond help. It'd be better for him to die instead of continuing to live as he does." Archer went quiet after that, Law popping his head out of the changing room.

"So uh, you're basically mercy killing someone then?"

"Obviously."

"But what has he done exactly?"

Archer paused. "There's a lot of blood on his hands. A lot of it innocent." He left out the bit where that blood was not there by choice.

[Kaze]

EMIYA SHIROU

The sword-magus tensed as Sakura came up and hugged him tight. Sobs wracked her frame as she begged him to not be mad, that she only wanted him to be safe.

For his part, Shirou stood there stiffly,  not sure what to do. After a few moments he relented and slowly put his arms around the purplehead.

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura smiled and relaxed when she felt him awkwardly embrace her, mumbling a quiet “I’m glad...” before she leaned heavily against him and fell asleep, a happy and content smile etched on her face.

[Elf]

Saber

Saber made sure Lancelot got the passenger seat in the front because he needed the leg room.  However, sitting next to this Noel person was something she wasn't going to find pleasant.  The girl already proven to be "twitchy" and nervous. 

Saber wasn't looking forward to having her at the former king's back.  She wished that Forest would have been here instead, and the vampire's telepathy and heightened senses would be a boon.  Saber also wished she was behind the wheel; Henry tended to drive like a little old woman.

Making sure Excalibur was strapped to her back, she grimaced at the fact that Henry mentioned the need for masks.  There were also wading boots as well, and Saber's scowl deepened at the thought of wading through raw sewage.

She looked at Noel and said, "This is a very serious expedition.  You need to be sharp and focused; your life is not the only one you need to be aware of."


Rin

Rin watched as Sakura let go of her and ran over to the Calico Shirou and embraced him, asking for is forgiveness.  The raven haired magus watched as Shirou returned the embrace and Rin sighed, relaxing.  She did wrap her arms around herself and bit her cheek to keep her from shivering. 

After all she had been dressed for a rainy spring day in London, not this bitter cold here.

However, the Tohsaka heir did smile slightly at the sight until she noticed Sakura had fallen asleep.  Blinking, and knowing that Sakura's Shirou couldn't help carry Sakura back in her condition, she looked at Rider.  "You might wanna get her home."

Then she smiled at the Calico Shirou and said, "And I'd like to have a nice little chat with you."


Abigail

Abigail toyed with one of the edges of one of the blankets in the cart.  She scowled at the whirlwind of emotions she was sensing from Archer, shook her head, and met his gaze.  She replied, "You know, it's never too late to try to save someone.  And Mercy Killing is for rabid dogs, not people."

[theunknownhero]

Shirou (HF)

I smile as I see Tohsaka and Sakura  interacting with the other me, and then turn toward Rider and ask.

"So, we better head back home. Wherever home is... Any idea on how we're all going to head back?"