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

[SINIB]

Faust

Faust stood firm without flinching as the dragon attempted to destroy him. The deadly heat energy slammed into Faust's shield, which looked as if it would stand firm.

At first.

After a few seconds, he felt it begin to fail, and a second after that, it collapsed. Faust let loose a blast of water to attempt to block it, but it was evaporated in nary even an instant. "Shit." Was Faust's last thought before he was incinerated.

[Cherry Lover]

Sakura

As soon as Sakura grabbed hold of Togan's hand, she felt a minor shock run through her body, causing her hair to poof up as if she'd suffered an electric shock in a cartoon. Togan immediately burst into laughter.

"Hahaha...ahahahahaha...! I can't believe you fell for the oldest trick in the book! That was just rich, Sakura. Haha...Wow", he said.

Sakura was absolutely livid, not really even trying to hide her angry expression. He'd taken a genuine offer to reconcile and used it as an excuse to torment her even further. She wanted to shout at him once again, to tell him what a horrible person he was, but she knew that doing so was only going to make things worse, and could even get her killed.

Instead, she simply turned around, intending to walk away. She would talk to Irisviel and see if she was willing to do anything about Togan's actions and, if she was not, Sakura would have to find somewhere else to live. However, as soon as she had turned around, she noticed Irisviel walking angrily towards Togan, before slapping him.

 "Please, would you stop playing so many mean pranks on her?" she said. "I know you two have some bad blood, but please Togan. Please don't torment her like this, she made an absolutely stupid mistake. But please..." She paused. "Please forgive her. I'll make it worth your while."

"What do you mean, milady? I did forgive Sakura, there is no bad blood between us. Only apathy from my side. However, even if I did forgive her, it does not make of her crime anything less. I believe I made myself quite clear, I never do anything for free. The price for such a thing would have normally been quite steep, even your words cannot change that fact", Togan replied.

Internally, Sakura was absolutely livid. Whilst Togan might not consider there to be any "bad blood" between them, she most certainly did. As far as she was concerned, he was an arrogant asshole who cared only about himself. His excuse for his actions simply did not wash with her, not when he was responsible for causing the whole problem in the first place.

"I should have punished her appropriately for her uncouth performance. Still, I would not harm her. After all, it is what you asked of me, is it not? I had to think, what could I possibly demand of her that is equal to her life? I say, the brief amusement she has provided me can certainly replace what should have been taken. Therefore, as of now, we are even. Clap clap clap", he contined, before turning to her with a smile.

"So rejoice, Sakura Matou. It appears my master's mercy truly has saved you", he said.

Sakura sighed, and buried her anger. Whilst she still thought Togan's morality and reasoning was absurd and wrong, it was clear that this was as close as "forgiveness" as his belief system allowed him to give. And, even if she didn't think there was anything to forgive, she knew she would nevertheless have to accept his statement as it was intended, if only for Irisviel's sake. So, she put on a very realistic-looking false smile and spoke.

"Thank you, Togan. You should get going, or you'll miss the fight", she said, worried that the time they had spent arguing here was time Shirou was not being protected, before turning to Irisviel.

"OK, should we go and eat?"

[Kat]

Forest

"I'm not picky. Anything better than a cardbox or a doghouse will be fine." he replied.

Forest nodded and opened up the web browser on her phone.  She said, "I've also got mapping and a GPS on this thing, so I should be able to get you pretty accurate directions.  Somewhere close too.  It's gonna snow soon and you shouldn't really be out in this mess on a bike."

A nimble finger with the nail painted a bright purple began to swiftly swipe over the screen.  With a nod she said, "Ah, well, you're in bloody luck.  There's a Motel 6 right up the street about three blocks over."

Gintoki

"Oh, thanks." he replied. The woman was helpful to him, so he fancied helping her out in a turn. "I'm Sakata Gintoki. Wanna hitch a ride? This city is too crazy to walk around alone during nightime. Better to stick together for a while."

Aisha

The tanned woman smiled and the plant life seemed all the more beautiful because of it. "Hopefully. Hopefully it is over. You cannot imagine the time I spent cultivating the planet. The pains I underwent to constantly make sure it would be ready for the spread of life that would overtake it. I hope that what I was doing was no longer necessary. If my leaving disturbed the way life continued to function then the consequences would not be pleasant, but that is not something that should be focused on."

The smile was still on her face but there was tinge of sorrow in her eyes. Regret? Guilt? Longing? It could be any or all of these things. In the heat of the moment everything seemed so certain. She was so sure of herself. But she had eternity to reflect and question herself. Question her reasoning and the correctness of her actions. Of her role in the world.

Noriko

"No, I'm certain nothing will change for worse. We have ventured into the void and set our feet on another world. Within this century some of us may even live outside Earth. We are no longer children, but adults carving our own fate within stars. Who knows, maybe we will outlive our home world itself. And I plan to live long enough to be a witness." she declared in reaction to the woman's claim that her leaving could have negative consequences. She seemed worried about the fate of her creation.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Aisha

"Is that truly what you think you are? Adults? You move from one mystery to another and satisfy yourselves with the smallest drops of knowledge before moving on. I cannot consider you adults like that. Legends and mysteries live unseen all across the planet. Realms of thought and power hidden behind and within the material world. You must understand yourselves and your home before I can consider you adults. It must hold no secrets from you. You must see the world."

Despite the words used she almost sounded tired more than anything. She had waited for her Children to grow to adulthood longer than civilizations have stood. There had been many that had gotten close, however all of them failed. But Aisha was patient. "The potential exists. Some of you see more than others but it will still take time. It's fortunate that I have all the time in the world to wait for you."

[Knick]

Suiren

As she came to a rest Suiren remained still, her thoughts a haze. Questions surfaced, experiences came to the front, believes tumbled around. But what she really felt was anger, anger at her own inability to beat him, to crush him, to be able to elevate herself to something more then what he represented.

He even gave her mercy; he even met one of her greatest strikes with his own, allowing it to be formed before meeting it with his own. And so she stood there for moment allow her rage to flow though her and pass.

And then Butler came and spoke, and the words he said made her freeze. Silence, that was the only thing that was on the rooftop as Suiren had her back to the Skeletal Man.

Complete, and utter, silence.

[Elf]

Rin and Shirou

Shirou blinked at Sakura looking down and her apology.  He pulled her close and held her, as he did so long go on one rainy, winter night.  He said, "There's nothing for you to be sorry about.  Nothing at all."

Rin patted Sakura's and and offered her a kind smile, not sure what to say.


Forest

"Oh, thanks." the Asian man replied. "I'm Sakata Gintoki. Wanna hitch a ride? This city is too crazy to walk around alone during nightime. Better to stick together for a while."

Forest grinned and thought, If he only bloody knew . . .

However one guy on a bike would be an easy target, especially if he was a foreigner new to Nexus.  He could easily vanish and no one would care. 

Well, I could be up for a little guard duty, she thought before shrugging at him.  "Sure why not?  Its not like I have any place else I need to be."

[SINIB]

Sakura

"But–" Sakura began to speak. But she stopped just as quickly as she'd started, a look of instant disbelief and horror on her face. "No." He's gone. "No no no." gone forever Sakura searched desperately for his connection, maybe it was just—something weird. Surely he'd be back soon. Right?
"No please...no."
A look of pure agony covered her face. "No...This can't be happening..."

[yinsukin]

Medaka Kurokami

Medaka left the building where she was questioned.  She had given the officer what he wanted. Now it was time to pursue her own goals.  All she cared about now was finding some remainder of Lorenzo, something she could bury or hold onto.  If she could find something, anything, perhaps it would be easier to move on and find closure.

She walked through the streets, the cold winter air piercing her flesh.  While it was discomforting physically, it offered her a sense of relief psychologically.  If it were warm outside, the heat may have reminded her of the pirate. The sharp sensation of the cold assisted her emotionally, keeping his image at a safe distance away inside her mind.  There was also Guts. She never wanted to see a sword that big again.

As she progressed through the streets, her introspective thoughts began to intensify as she processed everything that happened.  One thought lead to another as she looked inside herself for closure.  Why could't I help him?  Was I too weak?  What does it mean to protect strangers?  Guts, who was he?  How can I be worth anything if I cannot even fulfill my lifes purpose?  Am I scum for being so weak?  Would I have been able to protect him if I hadn't lost control?  What about all the officers that died at the station?  Those are strangers too.

The more she thought, the faster the thoughts poured out.  However, no matter how much she looked, no matter how much she rationalized, she could not find it, the emotional state called closure.  In fact, the more she thought, the more she tore apart her own sense of self. It all came down to one question.

What use am I if I couldn't even protect Lorenzo and Guts?

Medaka began walking faster, her body more rapidly pushing against the cold winter air.  She wanted to get to that site fast.  She would not give up.  There was still hope.

Medaka became extremely focused, obsessed even, on this idea that there might be something left of Lorenzo.  Her power walking quickly transitioned into a sprint as she converged on the site of the crater.  It didn't take long for her to arrive at her destination.

Medaka stood blankly at the edge of the crater.  There was no sign of life at all.  Anyone who may have been here vanished a long time ago.  It felt desolate, hopeless, like the environment itself was isolating her.  Just being in this area intensified her emotions.  She searched the crater for something, anything that may have survived.  A piece of Lorenzo's ship, a chard piece of Gut's armor.  She needed something to hold onto or something to bury.

Bury

We bury our dead.  Some believe that it will set their souls free, a way of sending them to a better place.  In that same sense, Medaka wished to bury her own regret and send it to heaven along with whatever she could find.  If she could do that she could set her own tormented soul free and try to return to how things were before.  Who knows?  Magic exists in this world, so maybe there is a way to bring back the dead?  Maybe if she held on to something important to them, she could run into an all powerful mage who could undo her mistakes.  Even if that wasn't possible, maybe she could run into some sort of shaman that could help her commune with his spirit.  She could still help him, she could still save him.

The broken girl shifted through the dust and dirt of the crater, desperately searching for an item or a body.

[Elf]

Rin

Rin blinked as Sakura started crying out again.  Shirou moved towards her and asked, "What is it?  What's wrong?"

Rin gripped Sakura's shoulders and asked, "It's Caster, isn't it?"

[SINIB]

Sakura

"He's gone...I can't find him. He's gone..." Tears freely streamed down her cheeks as she buried her head in Shirou's lap, sobbing and heaving.

[Elf]

Rin

Rin rose to her height as Shirou comforted Sakura, holding her close.  He was stroking her hair, resting his cheek against the crown of her head.  Rin on the other hand frowned deeply.

She asked, "There's not a Grail War going on here, is there?"

[Kotomine_Rin]

Vanguard

This turn of events had been chaotic to say the least. Luckily, it seemed his initial  reaction, far from fear but further from ease of mind, was unneeded.

Sakura was safe, that was all that mattered. There was no need for interferance, therefore he stood silent.

But then, something was said. Something even he could not overlook. It seemed Faust somehow perished. Had he perhaps underestimated this city? Nonsense. If he died there and then, in whatever manner it did, it was only because of fate.

If that was the case, it seemed he was not his valuable friend after all.

But alas, while the situation was far from ideal, it wasn't regrettable per say. The loss of a powerful magician, an invaluable asset, would require a change of plans. But it was quite fortunate that in the end, Faust died as he lived.

Vanguard wondered, he wondered if that magician knew in his final moments that he had indirectly spun the wheel of fortune in his favor.

His death would most certainly make adequate fuel.

"I see..." Vanguard spoke solemnly, emotionless and calm like a frozen lake. Then, he stood silent once again, mourning and rejoicing over the death of his ally.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider

Rider listened intently to the heart-rending discussion between Sakura and her big sister, clearly saddened by her master's depression and self-loathing. However, there was little she could do to help. Sakura's sister and lover were more important to her than Rider was, at least emotionally. Rider was a friend to Sakura, but most of all she was her loyal protector.

Then, suddenly, a look of pure horror came over Sakura's face, as she began to repeat the word "no", clearly saddened by something. Shirou asked what was wrong, but Rin quickly came to the right conclusion.

"He's gone...I can't find him. He's gone...", Sakura said, tears rolling down her face.

Despite the fact that she couldn't stand the man, Rider still felt saddened at his death. Not because she missed him, of course, but because he was Sakura's friend as well as her servant, and his death had clearly upset her greatly. Rider would never wish such suffering and hurt on her master, even if it got rid of someone who she neither trusted nor liked.

Wanting to help comfort her master, even if only by her presence, she moved towards the bed. As she did so, Rin stood up, before speaking once more.

"There's not a Grail War going on here, is there?" she asked.

"No. At least, not one that I'm aware of", Rider said softly.

Then, she sat down on the bed, careful to keep out of Rin's way if she wanted to comfort her sister once more. She sat there looking at her master sympathetically, trying to reassure her that she was still there, and would not be leaving any time soon. Rin and Shirou were Sakura's main emotional support, but Rider wanted to do whatever she could to help.

[Kat]

Forest grinned and thought, If he only bloody knew . . .

However one guy on a bike would be an easy target, especially if he was a foreigner new to Nexus.  He could easily vanish and no one would care. 

Well, I could be up for a little guard duty, she thought before shrugging at him.  "Sure why not?  Its not like I have any place else I need to be."

Gintoki

"Hop in, then" he gestured at the back of the bike and then remembered that he didn't know her name. "Won't you mind to introducing yourself?"

Emily

Emily giggled at Mordred's response.

"Well, you're right here, aren't you?" the Changeling said, starting to undress as quietly as she could manage, "And as I recall you did mention being a knight."

"My my, what kind of knight are you?" she continued, her voice taking on a mock-surprised tone, "If you can't even catch a lady in distress...though I suppose that isn't your fault, is it?"

"After all, you can't catch someone you can't see," Emily finished, opening up the curtains enough to slip inside, sighing as the warm water cascaded around her, the scent of the soap Mordred was using relaxing the Spring Courtier just a little bit more. Shivering a little at the sudden draft, Emily pulled the shower curtain shut once more, seemingly unconcerned by her current state of attire, or lack thereof.

Mordred

She groaned. In hindsight, she was too much of a nice person for her own good, to take her along. "You reek of alcohol and barge audaciously. Get back to your room and give me a bloody break." she glared at Emily. Her behavior annoyed her enough to override the fact she was attracted to her sexually. Looks weren't everything after all.

[Elf]

Rin

"No. At least, not one that I'm aware of," Rider said in a soft voice.

Subconsciously, Rin's left hand rested on top of her right.  Even after all of these years, the Command Spells were still visible, and theoretically she still had an active one.  She remembered losing Archer; the burning had jerked her awake in Kotomine's church while the false priest was performing the arm transplant. 

Rin lowered her hand and said, "It would have been something powerful to take out a Servant like Caster.  Summoning demons from hell doesn't make someone a push over."


Forest

Forest grinned as she gathered her duster and set gracefully on the bike.  She held out her fingerless glove covered hand and said, "Hi, I'm Forest."