Cross Effects 3.0 - June 23, 2016—April 02, 2018

[Kotomine_Rin]

Vanguard

"Oh do forgive me, I did not mean to look down on you. Though even if I did do such a thing, you'd simply need to grow taller. Should I take this as a challenge?" He said with his usual kind smile, yet he rubbed his temple like he had just gotten a headache. It might be a little difficult for her to do such a thing if she was so eager to rush towards his blade.

If anything, the lack of a head might just make her smaller.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Lorenzo

"You're not making sense. No one would spread rumors of a relic without saying what it does. This sounds like such an obvious scheme you might as well hang a turkey leg on a rope and call it a day. It's not like everything that shines is made of gold."

The pirate sighed, then laid back on the chair.

"Anyways, is there anything concrete that has been happening lately? I don't care about baseless rumors or superstitions."

[Umbra of Chaos]

Jasey

Huh. That other lady was a bit of a bitch. She kinda pissed her off. The kind of person who just threw around insults and then played it off as if it wasn't an issue. She might try to kill her later, but her soul seemed weird. It would be better to ask spider first.

So in the meantime she focused entirely on the other girl. "I was just asking if you wanted to go out with me."

[Kotomine_Rin]

Costin

Whaa?

It's not that Costin cared if she was a girl or a dude. To her, it didn't matter one bit how you screwed, but there was one thing that she had to admit. That girl was strong, that alone was enough to turn her the hell on. Howfucking ever, this was fast. Like, wayyy too fast!

"I-I mean, isn't it a bit sudden? N-not that I'd mind. It's just... well, sure I guess! I can give you my number."

In the end, it wasn't that big of a deal. She got pretty tired of dating for a while honestly, most men couldn't satisfy her. To make it worse, the ladies would just break before she was even done. Like, literally break. It was super awkward, it's not like she tried to snap anyone's spine. But if it was someone like her, she wouldn't have to worry so much.

"You didn't give me your name though. Also, can I get down? This is starting to get a little uncomfortable. Don't know if you've noticed, but I'm kinda naked." She said, trying to contain a blush. It's not like she was some savage or pervert who got off being ogled at.

[Panda]

Adjutor

As they filed out, Adjutor soon found herself regretting her decision to not try to do something before the fish burned to begin with. Not just because of the fact that they were slowly shuffling down from the eighth floor by the stairs, but also because of the continuous annoyance of people stepping on her lizardwoman friend's tail. At least she supposed they could try for friendship. Maybe. It would be nice, if nothing else.

With the last poke at Gojira's tail, Adjutor finally sighed and glanced out of a nearby window. Taking hold of the woman's shoulder, the monster hunter focused for a moment before the world snapped to black around them before dissolving to reveal that they'd reappeared in the shadow of a tree outside of the building, on solid ground. Having saved them a long shuffle down 8 flights of stairs, Adjutor moved her hand away from the woman's shoulder.

[Aiden]

Purple Heart

The goddess watched with intent as he begun his story. She didn't mind him trying to touch her wings as she didn't feel any sensations from them anyway. A certain part of his story caught her attention though. The specific time he mentioned could really only mean one thing.

"So what you are telling me is that in your quest to help humanity, you made a woman pregnant. You are making it sound like you commited some grave sin. Gadreel. Don't look so down ok, I can't possibly hate you for doing the right thing." She leaned forward to meet his gaze, determined to not let him slip away into some self blaming state.

Gadreel

He could only scoff at her mistaken impression. And for the first time she saw his fists clench tight, and felt his body stiffen rather uncomfortably. "Oh, it was not I who decided this was sin." His voice was calm despite his words. "It was the legions of my brothers and sisters who descended from the sky to murder my wife and children for existing. Who tried to drag me back to convict me for abetting this. I am fallen because I tore my wings off rather than allow them to find me."

[YOLF]

Julius

And thus, Julius headed out of the park. The day turned into the night as Julius wandered the city. He could either go back to his cheap apartment, search throughout the city for more threats or do something relaxing for once. He needed money though. So, resigned, he went to a pawnshop like a pauper he was and sold his old clothes that he had repaired few months ago. How sad. He was largely out of equipment, he couldn't afford silver bullets for his pistol and thus he had to rely on his whip. However, he was still not willing to give up. Maybe he would use his money for something relaxing AND constructive.

Maybe in that classy bar for the rich he would find coincidentally found someone who could be interested in his initiative. Of course, he wouldn't beg but still, it'd be a nice surprise if he founded someone likeminded. In worst case scenario, he would spend some of his money and have a good time. Though, he really needed to find some occupation befitting his standing as a gentleman. Maybe a university needed a lecturer? He after all had a good education that he could utilize.

The place looked quite relaxing and elegant. As he approached the bar, he heard that one of clients seemed to be unfamiliar with the city. Julius couldn't help but intrude as he sat in the front of the bar: "This city seems to be a some sort of an occult place that keeps people in, but doesn't let out. I'm afraid there is no solution to that problem for now."

Irene Maiden

Her eyes were instantly drawn to the approaching gentleman, scanning his unusual poise. "Forgive my skepticism," she said, pushing her glass of wine away and turning fully towards him. "But that sounds a little unbelievable."

It was difficult to tell what was funny about it, because despite her sincerely questioning tone she covered her mouth a second later to muffle a high pitched chuckle. The barman leaned back on his side of the counter, waiting for the time to interject.

"I'm sorry, it is rather rude of me to question you such when I haven't even introduced myself." The vampire said, bowing her head apologetically to the newcomber. When she raised her face, crimson eyes regarded him sharply. "You may call me Irene Maiden. To whom do I owe the pleasure, sir?"

[Elf]

Rin

Rin tilted her head and watched Joe before grinning. 

"You're thinking that you're hungry and want to eat soon," Rin answered before turning back to the meal.  "And that you admire my form as I cook."

She chuckled, wondering what he'd think about all of her mind reading was just observation and logic.

[yinsukin]

Marcus

"Tch" he clicked his teeth in defeat as he moved to the side.  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, just because anything less would feel like backing down.  He couldn't help but feel that familiar pang of failure as he watched the man leave.

Lesson learned, he thought with a sigh. She's different when the game is played with a group.

So with that, he followed Forest to his new room.


As Marcus looked up at the large building, he couldn't help but frown.  It was a large factory, or at least looked like one.  He pointed one finger at the factory.  "Are you kidding me? You live here?  No wonder you said your existence is a pain." he said, making sure not to leave out the snark.

Joe

Joe studied her reaction.  The fact that she had to stare at him for a second might mean she needs to concentrate.  Really, he would never know.  She probably wont give him a straight answer.  She was obviously having too much fun. 

When he heard her prediction, his whole body jumped. Oh shit she's right!

"So you can read minds..." he said, placing his hand under his chin as he finished his thought aloud.  "Hey, I do wonder though, how come you didn't read Lorenzo's mind?  That would have saved us a lot of trouble."

[Elf]

Forest

"You know the phrase, 'appearances can be deceiving' right?" Forest asked with a smirk at Marcus's reaction to the Compound.  She strummed her fingers on the steering wheel and drove the 67 Camaro into the garage.

The car collection wasn't as impressive as the one she had back at home.  There were a few favorites though, like a Toyota Supra, her favorite Camaro model from each decade from the 70's to the present, a 350Z, and a 2017 Corvette in black.  She parked her beloved 68 Camaro and eyed Marcus. 

"Camouflage is a very useful thing," she said with a smirk.


Rin

Rin laughed and said, "Oh goodness, I'm not a telepath at all.  I was just reading you.  I was watching your body language and where you were looking."

She pointed at him with a grin.  "Gotcha."

[yinsukin]

Marcus

For a breif moment,Marcus's eye twiched as the car pulled into the garage.  Surrounding him was an insane collection of cars.  He slowly rotated his head, only to reveal he was squinting at her at the end of the motion.  "So... you had all this money, this whole time..."

DAMN IT.  I want my sympathy back!

He leaned forward, rested his head on his hands and said,  "Let me guess, you also have a giant TV and an indoor bowling ally right?"  His voice was punctuated with a dry sarcastic tone, just for this occasion.

Joe

Joe's face turned red.  "Oh..."

Now that he thought about it, he was really too nervous to appreciate her body before.  He should have been able to figure that out.  Joe groaned in frustration and walked over to Rin.

"So, is it ready?" he asked.  His posture and voice would need more time to recover.

[Elf]

Forest

Forest chuckled at Marcus's expression and smirked at his thoughts.  "Come on, turnabout is fair play," she said with a grin.  She watched the bewildered and annoyed expression on his handsome face.

Point for me, Forest thought to herself.

"I have a couple of TVs, but not an indoor bowling alley.  Bowling's boring.  I do have a small indoor shooting range though," Forest said to him with a grin before frowning.  "However, money cannot buy happiness."


Rin

Rin lifted the wok with a grin and said, "Dinner is served.  So, can you eat with chopsticks, or do I have to break out the flat wear?"

[yinsukin]

Joe

Joe placed his hands on Rin's shoulders, bracing for the reveal of the food.  As the savory smell flowed into his nose, his whole body relaxed and his stomach growled.  "Lets go with flat wear," he said, pulling his hands away from her shoulders.  "I don't want to make myself look any worse."

He took a step back and watched her move around the kitchen,  "Do you want help setting the table?"

Marcus

Shooting range huh? He pictured forest wielding a gun.  It was actually a pretty nice image, if a bit nerve wracking.  Around her, a bullet could really hurt.

Marcus turned away from Forest and gazed at the cars, his thoughts bouncing around as he mirrored her frown.  "No, it can't buy happiness, but it sure makes it easier to get," he retorted.  "Its a lot easier to find your place when you don't have to think about bills."

All of the sudden, his eyes grew wide, as if he just realized he was talking.  His head returned to its normal position, facing forward.  "I guess money can just as easily trick you into thinking your happy though."  Finally, he turned to Forest.  "But clearly it doesn't matter either way to you."

[Panda]

Michael

The immortal frowned at that, taking a moment to consider the pirate's words.

"Yes, it seems you have a point there," the immortal said, finishing off the glass, "And I suppose I'll be having a word with my contacts later-"

Michael cut himself off, however, as a breaking news banner flashed up on a nearby TV set tuned to a local news station. As the newscaster went on, a ground-side view of a ruined convoy, with most of the vehicles save for one scattered all over the road and the bodies of were assumed to be security personnel littering the road, looking like they'd been mauled by wild animals. Unsurprisingly, there was a perimeter already set up by police, keeping the news crews from getting a closer look at the mess at this point.

Hmph. Well, I won't argue with the timing, but it's about time.

"Well, there's been the usual sorts of things," Michael said offhandedly, "The occasional battles between supernaturals over Pantheon knows what. Though, I suppose I won't be having as harsh words with my informants as I would have otherwise thought. At least they were right about the convoy."

[Elf]

Rin

Rin nodded and said, "I understand.  Apparently chop sticks are some Oriental mystery that you Westerners have trouble understanding."

Then she grinned and at him and asked, "Do you want to eat in the kitchen?"


Forest

"I've been all over the spectrum; dirt poor and not-quite Bruce Wayne rich," Forest said as she locked the car door, "And money isn't some surefire guarantee for not being alone.  However, you can buy a lot of fun toys."

She gestured to the cars and sighed.  "But at the beginning of the day I'm still . . .  Well, it bloody sucks."