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

[Umbra of Chaos]

Alarice

The noble sighed and placed her spoon down. "Lord Greyskull, do you know what the purpose of a spar is? It is not a display of someone's abilities. That is a showcase for trained animals. The purpose of a spar is to prepare you for battle. To do anything less than your absolute best is not a disservice; it is both an insult and sabotage. It leaves your soldiers weaker and softer than they could have been. You held back and played games instead of trying with all your might. Do you understand now, Lord Greyskull?"


Erica

"What do I want? I want to feel. I want to shift out of this passive state and experience the full breadth of emotion. It doesn't matter what I lose.The goal is something that I can pursue no matter what." The blue haired girl continued to climb up several more buildings until she could survey a significant amount of the Nexus. There was no real point in what she was doing but perhaps something would catch the man's interest and they could do something that actually mannered.

She was unsure of the point to his questions. His eyes were as empty as hers but there was no kinship to be found there. How could she? Emptiness left no marks worthy of note and inspired nothing.


Oren

The Fae perked up at Breeze's suggestion. She slipped the pelt off of her waist and flitted behind the blonde and wrapped it around her neck. "Here. Hold on to this for me. I'll take you all to a great place to eat in a bit! Just wait a second so I can take you there."

Then Oren walked back over to her original spot and waved at the other woman before promptly collapsing into a puddle of black liquid. It surged and bubbled erratically as more of it came from seemingly nowhere. Other limbs and and shape emerged for a moment only to be devoured by dark jaws as she twisted and decided what she would be in the end. She felt free, she always felt so much more free like this, but the freedom was too much. She could never settle, never be satisfied, not without a form.

But she knew what she could be, and what she wanted to be. Hooves and antlers. Pristine fur. The keepers of nature infused into flesh and bone. And then a Great Stag emerged from the growing pool of liquid and the goo dissolved into nothingness. She turned around, every step making grass burst from the ground and push apart concrete, and stared at Breeze. With a bit of effort Oren tried to move her head enough to make the gesture that she should get on.

[Kat]

Petra

"No, it won't, he's incorrigible like that. Even knowing him merely for few hours is enough to figure out that." Garou was a childish and immature ass, but she wouldn't tolerate his tomfoolery if she also didn't respect his strong convictions in face of real danger. He didn't yield to that shadow monster that tried to stole his soul and fought to the very end.

"Huh, the pot calling the kettle black? You aren't exactly the least eccentric person here, so maybe mind you manners a bit?" It was useless to lecture Garou, but still a right thing to do. But if a brawl started, she was more then confident that could just beat everyone into submission until they stopped fighting. After all, she used to be a sort of delinquent before she and her brother met Joshua.

[Kat]

Mordred

Hand to hand combat wasn't really the changeling's style. She didn't fight to have fun or for the sake of self-discipline. She fought to kill if she could take out the threat and to defend herself if she was too pressured. Her spear pretty much embodied her style. It was incredibly lethal for Fae and its incredibly fast thrusts could catch many off-guard, but at the same time its long reach was good for defense and she wasn't somebody easily cornered. Subduing normal criminals was pretty much the job of the police, you could as well have a dead wish if you didn't go all out against truly dangerous threats.

"You don't have people who are good with swords or spears? I don't really practice any fancy martial art. A good spear or sword can be more harmful then a fist in right hands. And we really didn't come here to fight. Weren't we supposed to have some fun or something?" But once they arrived at the gym she realized about something. A suit wasn't most suitable for such place. "Damn, I forgot to bring clothes for exercising. Do I have to go buy them somewhere or there's stuff I could borrow at your fancy gym?"

If there wasn't, hopefully it wouldn't take much time for her to buy some clothes. She just couldn't help but feel that practising in a suit would be odd.

[yinsukin]

Medaka Kurokami

A cold breeze rubbed up against Medaka's face as Shinobu carried her through the city.  The blue haired girl did her best to direct them through the streets.  Before they even got to the castle however, Medaka spotted the snow haired woman walking with a purple haired woman and a red haired man.

"Wait!  Over there!"  She shouted to get Shinbou's attention.  She pointed in the direction of the snow haired woman.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

Julius

"Of course, what kind of a gentleman I would be if I let anyone go alone through such treacherous wilderness. I, Count Julius Richter, promise that no harm will come to you." He made an oath, introducing himself to the young lady. He would guard her with his life, so it was only appropriate to fully introduce himself. But he also expected her name in return. "Your name, young lady?"

AKATSUKI

"Ah, that is... My name is Akatsuki. Thank you!" she said with another deep bow. A billion thoughts occurred to her, like if they'd accept the coinage he'd given her, if she needed to bring her own bags, how many groceries she could stack on her rigging before it became difficult to carry home, but mostly...

She had no idea where any stores were. She would definitely have to rely on Julius.

"T-then, do you have things you'd like to leave in your room, or do you want to wait a little, or should we go right now?" She asked, not wanting to be disrespectful. For all she knew he'd been walking all day and may need to sit down before heading out. She could not be discourteous to a nice man trying to help her!

...Who was also a customer, she added, attempting to put herself in an innkeeper mindset.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Count Greyskull

The poor greyskull was about to raise his hand to answer when Alarice carried on, explaining to his dismay that spars were not in fact to gauge and display one's ability but to prepare for battle. While he definetely saw where she was coming from, it seemed that there was a misunderstanding. He coughed and cleared his throat, unsure of where to go with this.

Perhaps she would understand if he went for a more direct approach. While he had preferred it would not come to this, it was probably for the best if she was aware of who she was serving. His tone was hesitant, shy, but for as much as it was timid there were hints of sternness and unmoving certainty, as if his words were hard facts that he was certain of.

"I see. Forgive me, for I, the great Count Greyskull, had no intent or desire to cause dishonor or injury towards your pride. To offend you was not my goal in the slightest. However, please understand that for as much as I, the great Count Greyskull, am an awesome amazing lord that should be loved and looked up to by all, am also a being of little moderation. I needed to observe your limits and test them to their utmost ability. I do not mean to come off as arrogant or to belittle your ability, so please understand. If I, the great Count Greyskull, held back any less..."

Two hollow eyes gazed down at the woman's with coldness unlike before. For the first time since she had met him, there was something different about his gaze. A chill crawled up her spine like shadow, slithering like serpents upon her naked body as if to defile her.  In the mere moment it took the dark lord to utter these words, the whole world had changed.

In an instant, her skin shivered and whitened as if it was turning into paper, as if the gentlest of breezes would tear it. Her tongue did not seem like a tongue any longer but rather like a putrid snail one with less mental prowess would suddenly urge to claw off in disgust. The air was no longer air but acidic poison that would surely burn one's lungs.

This was no sorcery or illusion, nor was it a curse. It was much, much simpler. Much much more terrifying. From the tiniest of mice to the greatest of beasts, all looked at the count with the same horrified eyes. It was something that nothing would change. For Alarice was sharing table with death, the damned one who rules above all living things.

Of all living creatures, only the most wicked, daemons in the hide of men who would consume their own begotten daughter with glee for the promise of power would be able to hear such a voice and feel anything other than complete dread.

And it spoke.

" Y O U   W O U L D   H A V E   D I E D   T H E R E   A N D   T H E N . " 

[Umbra of Chaos]

Alarice

The Chosen stiffened as the atmosphere changed and her frown deepened. Her mouth opened as if she was about to speak but her throat felt suddenly dry, and the air seemed toxic and she felt afra- The Ahamkara bones manifested around her and the skull slammed shut with a bite that could have crushed solid concrete with its brute force.

Alarice swallowed a shout as darkness coated the helm with the telltale signs of the void and the skeleton began moving of its own will. Sharpened ribs bent inwards as if in preparation to eviscerate their owner and any shaking grinded to a halt as the bones siply refused to move. Something like this, being a prisoner in these bones, they were something she had only felt before.

Are you unworthy of me, oh bearer mine? The noble was suddenly gripped with an unrivaled fear at those simple words. This was far, far worse than anything she could have ever imagined.

I have shown you the worlds carved by the Sword of Pits, the Golden Amputation, the destruction of the Gift Mast, and I have shown you the sorcery of the Witch-Queen, the boundless might of the War God, the maps of the First Navigator, and I have shown you the twisting paths of time-bent minds and the unification of the Emperor of All Outcomes, and I have shown you the world behind the veil and the terrible, beautiful contours and geometries of that perfect and final shape, and despite all of that you cower at some piddling sorcerer.

She threw up. Burning bile spilled from her throat and into the void and hot tears streamed down her face as abject terror gripped her. She could feel the presence of the Ahamkara looming over her. A vast, stealthy song that surrounded her on all possible sides. And she knew, she most definitely knew that it would not be merciful if it decided to act.

You disappoint me, oh bearer mine. Do not do so again. The darkness and bones vanished, and Alarice gasped for air as if she hadn't breathed for a century. Her hands tightly gripped the arms of the chair and quickly turned them into splinters as her hold intensified. This wasn't just bad; it was a disaster.

The blonde stumbled out of her chair and knocked it over as made a quick retreat towards the kitchen. She needed to pluck these shards of wood from her hand, and then she needed to do something, anything that could distract her from what just happened. Her heart was racing and her breaths were short and rapid, but the only thing of concern to her was the utter silence. The Ahamkara rarely spoke but it was never really quiet. But now there was just silence, and her chest tightened at the thought that it was hiding whatever it was thinking of or planning to do from her.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Count Greyskull

While the lord certainly expected a reaction of short, the spectacle before him was nothing short but folly. No, he had made a mistake, an unforgivble mistake, and before he knew it his heart was gripped with an indescribable guilt. He threw away the chair as he cried out in worry.

However, the fear in his voice wa sunlike before. It was not the childish nervousness of before, but an overbearing fear and concern for his friend riddled with guilt.

"ALARICE!!" He roared, rushing to her side without a moment's hesitation. He gripped her and used all the magic he could muster to stop the skeleton from piercing her body and crushing her, but it was no use. His mana was nullified and dissipated as soon as it reached the bones. No matter how he pried, no matter how much he conjured, he could not make a single bone as much as budge.

However, before he could reach her, the skeleton opened up and released her. As soon as he saw her face, his whole joyful world shattered. He had never seen her in such a state, nor would he ever have imagined that she could be so vulnerable. No, this was but the product of his utter irresponsibility.

Even if she was a mighty warrior and a powerful general, she was still just a girl. Just a girl. What he had done was nothing short than monstruous, evil. He was the foolish one, the imbecile, the buffoon who repeated the same mistake. Were a thousand years not enough to learn? He had gotten ahead of himself, and now her friend had paid the price for his arrogance. Just like she had.

The chattering of bones could be heard from the lord's body, even as the poor girl stumbled so haggardly towards the kitchens. The mere sight of her sorry state was enough to poison him further with grief, to the point he felt he would go mad if he let her carry on any further. And yet, he had not the right. It was not by fear that his undead body shivered as such. No, there was simply one emotion filling his heart, plaguing his mind. A cancerous, vile emotion he had forgotten since long ago.

Fury.

The lich was nearly on the verge of tears, but instead of standing so uselessly as he always did, he ran as fast as he could towards the girl and held her as tightly as he could, hugging her behind in a desperate attempt to comfort her. Or perhaps would he be so vile as to expect this to redeem himself in whatever manner, perhaps to soothe his own crying heart.

And yet, there was something warm from his touch, nearly soothing. It was like a comforting bonfire amidst the pallid darkness of the castle. It was a desperate attempt at magic, but at this point the lord would have gladly torn his own soul apart with his own hands if it meant undoing his unforgivable crime. For even if she would forgive him, he knew that he would never.

"Stop. Please calm down. I'm...I'm sorry, I am inadequate. I'm sorry, I'm sorry for this. For everything. I-"

His words slipped by themselves, and by now he had no longer control over his body or mind. He simply hugged her and tried to comfort her in any way he could, trying to calm her in any and every way possible.


Theodore

The demon gazed at the girl blankly, nodded and, surprisingly, smiled in acceptance.

"I see. Then you and I are the same. If possible, I'd like to see such a thing with my own eyes." He said, genuine respect and gentleness from the bottom of his heart. While he did revert back to his usual stoic demeanor, there was a lack of that usual coldness to his gaze.

"Let go. I'd like us to sit here." He said calmly.


Garou XIII

Garou raised an amused eyebrow. "Eh? That's not it, pipsqueak. I'm not talking shit or anything, so calm down. I'm just saying that this place is bloody amazing."

Then he walked up to the counter with a huge snicker and adressed whoever was in charge, but not without looking around some more. Hopefully this place had better stuff than that piss for drink rundown chinatown shaghouse, but he had already high hopes for this place.

"Nice. Really nice. Hey, what do you serve here?" He asked with a huge toothy grin. "Got any deathsticks? Bah, doesn't matter if you don't, bloodjuice will do. Just make sure to keep the batch extra fresh."

[Thedoctor]

Shinobu

Heeding the sudden warning from the blue haired girl, Shinobu turned her gaze towards where she was pointing and did indeed see a white haired woman. The vampire swiftly changed direction and darted to where the snow haired woman was. The woman was walking together with a purple haired woman and a red haired man. Shinobu stopped when she was right in front of them, to them it might look like she just appeared out of thin air, she then put down Medaka.

"Excuse me, could you help us with an issue. I have heard you know this girl." Shinobu said to the snow haired woman while pointing to Medaka.

[Kat]

Julius

That was certainly an odd name, but he was a stranger in a strangeland himself. The city was full of inhabitants from so many nationalities that a meeting between a gentleman from Transylvania and a young lady from Far Orient wasn't an improbably occurence. Though from what he figured so far, this land had no King. A country without a King was an oddity like that barely formed Republic in New World that rebelled over such trivial excuse like taxes. While he wasn't unfamiliar with ideals of Enlightnment, a constitutional monarchy was preferable to a republic.

The polite girl asked him if he would like to leave his things in the inn. While he trusted her enough to entrust her his belongings, all of these were tools of his trade. If they ran into menacing things, how he would protect his companions without being armed? "There's no reason to make you wait. I'll accompany you in your endeavour right away." He declared.

Oddly, there was no creature that disturbed as they made the way to the city. Maybe they knew better. Anyway, there was that large building visible from afar that pamphlets mentioned as a store that sold almost anything. Truly miraculous. It was called Emporium of Man. So it even had grand name. He was confident that Akatsuki would find ingredients she looked for. "Here we are, I hope this place will be to your liking."

[Elf]

Corbin

"Yeah, of course we have weapons users too, but it doesn't hurt to have hand to hand skills too," Corbin said, "I mean, what if you get disarmed or are attacked when you don't have a weapon.  I mean, in a fight, hell yeah I want my gun and sword, but I also wanna know how to take care of myself if I happen to be unarmed.  Also that's another reason why we have a gym.  You really can't go all Connor MacLeod on a co-worker in a public place.  It's kind of frowned on even here."

He scratched his jaw, feeling stubble there and said, "Come on, we have sweatpants and what not you can wear instead of your street clothes.   I think they're clean.  At least mostly."

"As for you, Little Bit, you're with me.  Most people here would think I'm just taking care of you or whatnot so it's kosher."


Duke Coop

Duke watched as the guy with the fangs saunter over to the bar.  He had two very fine looking women with him, but he knew enough that neither of them were his girlfriend.  Wonder if they're with him because they feel sorry for him, or did he bully them to come with him? the former hero for hire mused as he turned to his new, boisterous customer.

Duke could see Gunther giving the guy the stink eye, but the German goblin was a grouch to pretty much everyone other than pretty ladies that were kind to him.

"Nice. Really nice. Hey, what do you serve here?" the guy asked with a toothy grin. "Got any deathsticks? Bah, doesn't matter if you don't, bloodjuice will do. Just make sure to keep the batch extra fresh."

Duke leaned forward and asked him, "So, do you want the real bloodjuice or that pussy bullshit?"


Rin

Rin eyed Petra and started to head for the bar herself.  She noticed that it smelled clean, no hint of piss like some of the other bars that she had been too.  In fact, there was just this pleasant undercurrent of scotch and bourbon. 

She perched at the bar and looked around, realizing that she would have to make coming here a regular occurrence.


Gabriel

Gabriel as a rule had a love/hate relationship with giant chain hotels even if they had fine amenities and what not.  However, he had found word of a charming little Bed and Breakfast by the mountains that had a nice view so he had taken Emily there.

The little old woman who ran the desk didn't ask any questions, but just giggled as Gabriel got the keys to their room.

He walked up to Emily, dangling the key with a smirk.  "We have until noon tomorrow, and they serve breakfast at 9:30.  Shall I show you to our room?"

[Kotomine_Rin]

Garou XIII

Garou chuckled. "Heh, just who the hell do you think I am?"

He then approached the huge hulking man and, despite their size difference, approached his ear as if he was a virgin schoolgirl whisper him a secret with barely hidden glee.

"I'm actually the hero hunter Garou XIII the monster, a pretty big deal. Juuuust so you know."

After all, anyone would know by now about Garou XIII, the villain who single handedly massacred gang territories and annihalated heroes and villains alike, often gruesomely shattering even the strongest opponents with unnatural tenacity. Some even said he was an immortal vampire, an undying warrior who devoured souls and champion of  Valhalla.

He could turn into into a beastly monster wolf at will and often mauled his enemies into bloody but alive messes, never leaving anyone for dead. Of course, there was no way a lame loser like him could be the real deal, so he was obviously bullshitting and trying to cash in on Garou's cool rep.

That or he never heard of him.

Thus, the self proclamed monster backed out and grinned. "So yeah, give me some of the real shit."

[Elf]

Duke Coop

Duke eyed this Garou the 13th and grunted.

He grabbed a glass, filled it with pig's blood from the fridge and handed it to him.  "Never heard of you, Kid."

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling couldn't keep the bemused little smirk as they made their way to a quaint little venue. It had a nice view of the mountains, and a quite comfy atmosphere about it, Emily already feeling at ease as they got the room key. Her grin widened as the little old lady at reception giggled and gave her a knowing look.

Looking around the place, the Changeling's attention was caught as Gabriel drew closer, keys dangling from his hand.

"Well, that's convenient," she said with a simple smile, unable to help finding how relaxed she felt at the moment a tiny bit remarkable, "And certainly, I'd imagine the view would be nice from there as well."

"Of course," she continued, a hint of lasciviousness working its way into her smile, "I doubt that's the only thing to be admired from our room. It'll just be a matter of making good use of the time we have."

[Elf]

Gabriel

"Well, the view and slight isolation of the place was one of the reasons I chose it.  Plus, that matron who checked us in?  Well, apparently she was a madam of a brothel of high clientele in her younger years," Gabriel said as they walked to their room.

He enjoyed the sight of her slightly wickedly bewitching smile and thought to himself, She may not be immune to my lure, but maybe I have met my match.

"I also think the view in our room will be quite enjoyable as well," Gabriel said, "And we have time enough to get enjoy and get to know ourselves."