Cross Effects 3.0 - October 21, 2015—June 23, 2016

[Panda]

Annabeth

Coming back to herself to realize she'd just shot Oren, Annabeth didn't have much time to consider it as her unfortunate landing pad suddenly increased in size and weight and started breathing heavily. Eyes widening, the Hunter glanced back to find herself looking at a very large wolf. Not even allowing a moment to consider it, the Hunter exploded into motion, smashing clean through the changing room wall to exit the stall with all possible haste, the door reduced to wood chips that bounced off her Ren.

Turning around to face the mass of fur, flesh, and teeth, the Hunter quickly popped the cylinder out of Elephant Gun and shook the shells out, the spent shell dissipating before new ones fitted into a speedloader appeared in her hand. Quickly reloading Elephant Gun, Annabeth considered things for a moment before letting the large revolver dissipate, Pete and Repeat appearing in her hands instead as she watched the massive wolf.

What kind of ability...maybe some kind of Specialist ability? But that should be impossible. Self-healing is a fairly advanced Enhancer Technique, and that's on the other side of the spectrum from Specialists. He should be at his weakest in that.

"Ron, is that you?" she called out, readying herself in case the wolf decided to switch targets.

[Aiden]

Ron

The fractures in Ron's bones from the transformation snapped shut with an audible crunch, and his trembling ceased. The bleeding gouges in his back were gone; his fur was stained red there. He took a moment to catch his breath, nostrils flaring with a huff, and he started to focus on what his senses were telling him.

scent of dust from broken bone, no gunpowder nearby, carpet cleaner stench beneath his paws. hum of lights above, breathing prey, shifting feet. red of lady's coat

Ron reached forward with a front leg to pounce in at her. He stopped abruptly at Annabeth's words, his sharp brown eyes narrowing at her to better assess the danger she posed.

defensive posture, no eye contact, familiar

He huffed acknowledgement to her, and turned his attention back to the false-kin who smelled of weakness now. His ears and tail pointed up toward the ceiling, the latter wagging swiftly and audibly through the air as he bent the metal of the changing stall away with a quadrupedal stride toward his prey. His mouth moved aside in a menacing grin, ivory maw exposed. Everything about him screamed a warning.

[Thedoctor]

Oka

"Hmm, I'd be okay with eating, but only if they allow pokemon. I don't want to put Wormy in a ball, he doesn't particularly like it and I'd get cold."

Jin 

"I think they do actually...and unlike my Brother, I don't skip the bill." He said as they walked into a nice café that did indeed allow and even serve "familiars".

[Cherry Lover]

Rider

Rider followed her master silently, her head bowed with regret and sadness at Sakura's sudden change in mood. It seemed like no-one in the room had any idea how to react or, even, what was wrong, instead just making empty statements wishing for the two of them to enjoy theirselves, which seemed unlikely with how sad Sakura now was. She awaited Sakura's reply, eager to try to explain things and make things better, but none came, and she didn't feel it would be right to press the issue. So, instead, she simply followed them out of the house, a sad expression on her face as she walked a little way behind her master, feeling awful about whatever it was that she had done to upset her.

[Thedoctor]

Shinobu

"You really do like that bike...anyway the elites you mentioned earlier...they have a headquarters right? It would be interesting to see what an association like that actually works from." Shinobu said this as she took a look at the movies he had not really finding anything remarkable.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Oren

The Fae finally stopped retreating and turned around to face the massive wolf following her. Her chest puffed up as she stared at the former man. "You're both really mean! Neither of you are even hurt, but I am! All I did was try to help."

While her tone had steadily lost any irritation and become softer her body was still tense. Not like a rabbit preparing to flee but instead a predator prepared to pounce. If she had to fight or flee transforming would be the best option and she would not be caught by surprise again.

[Panda]

Annabeth

Annabeth followed along, remaining at a safe distance as she finished the countdown. Frowning at Oren's question, the Hunter carefully stepped into the needed range, making sure to not stand between Ron and Oren.

"Exactly how was throwing me supposed to help?" the Hunter asked, before turning to Ron, "Can you hear me, Ron?  Look, we should probably get out of here. It's broad daylight and we're attracting way too much attention."

[Aiden]

Ron

Ron's thick coat of dark grey fur stood on edge, anticipation surging through his blood. The rapid, steady pounding of his heart in his ears was like a war drum calling him to the approaching fight - the approaching kill. His hind legs tensed, until he heard words that some distant part of his lupine brain registered again.

red lady, dangerous

His hair settled back down again, and Ron huffed and barked out at Oren. Don't do that again, it seemed to say. Then he circled back around, slowly, eyes kept on the potential threat, to stand at eye level to Annabeth as if to say "Let's go, then."

[SINIB]

Sakura

”Rider, get rid of it, please...” Sakura asked Rider. She hated asking her this.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider

Rider frowned. She was OK with changing her background, but she didn't know what to replace it with. She had plenty of pictures of Sakura, of course, but they were all of her old master, and she wasn't sure what her new master would be OK with.

Sure, I'll change it, but what should I replace it with? she asked. I don't have any pictures of you, and I'm not sure what you dislike about that picture.

[SINIB]

Shirou Emiya

Shirou held Sakura around her waist and waited. He wasn't exactly sure why they'd stopped at the curb, but he didn't really mind.

…

Well, it was a bit cold. He looked at Sakura, who was awkwardly standing there silently, and "psst"ed at her.

"Sakura, uh, why are we waiting here?"

[SINIB]

Sakura Matou

Sakura glanced up at Shirou as she heard a distinct "psst" from him and smiled at his question. It was a genuine and warm smile, truly and honestly happy.

"We're waiting for a taxi, it will be here soon."

"Just get rid of it, we can figure out what to change it to later, please" Sakura begged. "That picture is unfair."

[Umbra of Chaos]

Oren

"You were supposed to kiss! It was going to be great. Your ability to fall was just something I underestimated. Now I need to find somewhere private to fix what you did to me. That was my favorite antler. The queen pet it once." Her hands were still clamped tightly over where her antler used to be but a whimsical tone had returned to her voice as she slowly dance back towards the duo.

The wild sung with her movements and the scent of a more primal world bloomed with her passing. It all abruptly came to a halt as she stopped right next to the cowgirl and stared up at her. "I need somewhere big, but away from everywhere else. Like a warehouse! I could go to the forest but it doesn't like me when I heal."

[Kotomine_Rin]

Vanguard

Vanguard observed the surrounding grounds impassively before letting his finger slide on a nearby wall. This castle was great, enormous, and apparently warded.  Crouching for a second, he took the time to feel the land. This forest was surprisingly rich in magical energy, most likely due to a nearby leyline.

This castle would make a perfect base. Then, his cold expressionless gaze turned to the man.

"What are you waiting for? Open the door." He said, almost bored by his inaction.

[Kat]

Julius

Opening doors was for the help. But alas, he found himself in a situation where there were no manservants around him to do that for him. All he could do was to knock on the doors, in hope someone inside would open.