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

[Umbra of Chaos]

Jasey

So it was the two of them at a table, a box of pizza layered in thick cheese and meat along with a few sodas. As Jasey finished her like 3rd or 4th slice she finally thought of something to ask. "So,, uhh, whadda you do for fun other than the killing people thing?"


Grigori

"Money will not be much of an issue. We have services to offer and ways of gaining resources that few others could hope to achieve. But save your gold. Clearing out a few criminals is not worth the expense, and I do not have the patience to deal with the beggars and thieves it would attract. They're like flies." Unless they offered themselves as research material. That was acceptable. But saying something such as that out loud would be foolish.

She stood up, ready to leave. "So, shall we get going. I don't care much who fights, although I would rather not leave witnesses. Subtlety would be better as well. Or at least quick and overwhelming firepower. I can provide either if you have a preference, Lady Animusphere."

Then the mage held out a hand towards the other woman. As polite and gentlemanly as she could be to help her up. She was genuinely starting to enjoy Olga's company. The other woman was powerful and sharp. A dangerous combination but also a rather useful one.


Lucy

So with a bit of effort Lucy changed while on horseback. It was a bit of a hassle but she just had to dump her old clothing and slip the maid uniform back on nice and snug as one of her Messengers informed the people in the castle of her status. Now that she was presentable the silver haired girl nodded.

"Alright! The castle is just up ahead. I've notified the people that we're coming so the door should open right up. Just keep following my instructions and you'll find my boss and a white haired girl with fantastic twintails. You wanna make your glorious introduction to them!"


Paladin

"No, such a thing is perfectly fine with me, Anastasia. Although, considering this creature's name I would not expect grand results from the utilization of your raw element. I do not mean to chide but blunt force may work best than anything else here." He trudged on ahead after Oka, but the knight was already certain that his new friend, Sir Wormy, would be the one to deal with this threat.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Vanguard

Vanguard allowed Sakura her silence, if only to ponder himself. Suddenly, a ghost of a smile appeared.

"Sakura. I wonder, do you ever feel a sort of... deja vu?" He asked her, genuinely curious himself.


Costin

The vampire greedily helped herself to another slice of the pizza when Jasey suddenly asked an odd question. Odder was the fact she'd actually spend time pondering on something so trivial. Well, it's not like time was a commodity she lacked, so she guessed she could spare the effort.

"Uh, you know, i'm not that picky when it comes to hobbies. Reading, drawing, listening to music, watching movies. Well, I guess you people used to call it theater and opera back in the day. Do you really think there'd be anyone left if all I ever did was murdering for almost two hundred years? Even a sick fuck like me knows the importance of moderation." She nodded sagely, letting the words of wisdom sink in her friend's thick head.

She took a sip of the soda and sighed in satisfaction. Food, just like murder, truly was more satisfying with company.

"What about you? Anything in particular you like?"

[Panda]

Emily

The changeling held back a frown as Rider once again answered her question with another, taking a moment to try to figure out how to get past this.

"Hm, there's plenty I could provide," Emily said with a pout, "But I'd be hard pressed to if you won't say what you want. You struck me as being a bit more decisive, I must admit."

With that, the redhead went back to her book, curious as to whether the lavender-head would take the bait.

[Kat]

Huang

So it was just a horrible food. Better to break him news now than later.

"Sorry, I can tell it's inadequately prepared just by looking at it. It's either inexperience or maybe your taste buds work different than a human's. Anyway, you need proper instruction to rectify that." She conveyed the brutal truth to the sword.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Engetsu

Engetsu frowned, far from impressed with the monk's pickiness. He took pride in his cookery skills, as if he'd let a customer trample over it, even if it was him. He put a finger in the broth and tasted it casually, then pondered for a bit, examining the intricacies of his creation's aftertaste.

"Hm, it tastes fine. I guess it could use a bit of salt, but it's not too mild. Didn't your parents teach you about food tasting better the worse it looks?" He said with immovable certainty. There was simply no way he would doubt the skill he had spent centuries honing. "Here, if you're going to be difficult, I'll help you. It's no good if a cute girl like you skips a meal."

And faster than a person could even blink, he jammed a spoonful of the piping hot ramen in his/her mouth. There was no escape, the moment she had entered this inn she had accepted her doom! And yet, and yet...

It tasted good. Like the sweet release of a sledgehammer smashed in your face and kicking your teeth with flavor. Even if it was undeniably the deadliest thing since death, there was no way to object to the fact that it was a good meal.

[SINIB]

Grigori

"Money will not be much of an issue. We have services to offer and ways of gaining resources that few others could hope to achieve. But save your gold. Clearing out a few criminals is not worth the expense, and I do not have the patience to deal with the beggars and thieves it would attract. They're like flies." Unless they offered themselves as research material. That was acceptable. But saying something such as that out loud would be foolish.

She stood up, ready to leave. "So, shall we get going. I don't care much who fights, although I would rather not leave witnesses. Subtlety would be better as well. Or at least quick and overwhelming firepower. I can provide either if you have a preference, Lady Animusphere."

Then the mage held out a hand towards the other woman. As polite and gentlemanly as she could be to help her up. She was genuinely starting to enjoy Olga's company. The other woman was powerful and sharp. A dangerous combination but also a rather useful one.

Olgamally Animusphere

"I'll just set up a field to put them to sleep. There's no reason to be cruel in our acquisition. Also less screaming will attract less attention." She said.

"Shall we get going then?"

[Umbra of Chaos]

Jasey

She stuffed another pizza into her mouth. Then another. Jasey could really eat fast it seemed. Then she gulped down about half of her drink. The sturdy girl really did eat like someone who was in a hurry. "Well, uhh, I went camping when I was a little kid? That's pretty much it. Never did sports or clubs. Then it was just hobby stuff."

Jasey still went camping sometimes. There was something nostalgic about roaming through the cabins, cool in the night as the blood of counselors and campers was swept up by spindly legs and their souls consumed.

[Kat]

Julius

That was troublesome. This one possessed some ability to resist his attacks. This didn't caught him off guard, it wasn't surprising for him that he had trouble with wizards. After all this wasn't the first one. Either he had to find another way to harm her or back off and find some expert on magic. For now, he reacted to the smoke following him and increased the distance between the two. If he didn't think on his feet, even with his capabilities he would die in some nameless lair.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Costin

"Heh, lucky gal. I never really got to go outside that often when I was a kid. And then they ask me why I'm so pale. Hmph! How rude, isn't it?" She said with a cheerful smile before taking another slice. Unlike Jasey, she'd rather take her time and enjoy herself.

"You know, maybe we should go on a hike sometime. The woods, the air, a nice cool breeze while we look at he moon... Uh, that was supposed to sound endearing and cute, if it didn't clue you in."

There was a pause for a second, there was just something she couldn't quite figure out when it came to Jasey. It was honestly weird, and that bothered her. She wasn't exactly used to not understanding, or maybe it's because she cared a bit. Pffft, nah, what were the chances of that happening?

" I have to say, I don't usually see a mass murderer as nice as you, let alone one who doesn't try to put a machete in my throat after I say hello. Kids nowadays are so rude, not a shred of respect you know? I mean, just because we all gotta die sometime doesn't mean we need to go out of our way to be jerks about it." She said casually, taking a little stretch.

"Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is uh, thanks. But why do you do what you do? I mean, the murdering."

[Aiden]

Molly

The self proclaimed dead man led her down to a far more desolated alley in order to prove he was right. She had grudgingly moved her hand away to allow him to walk properly.

She was surprised when he suddenly pulled her close, was he  actually coming on to her? This was a pretty lame eat to do it. Then he took one of her hands and lowered his mouth as to kiss it.

It stung.

Then it happened.

A wave of emotion burst through her. She tried to hold it in but it was futile. A nearby inaudible high pitched moan did leave her small throat.

That wasn't the end, no it was only the beginning. She rubbed her thighs together as a familiar wetness appeared between her legs.

Thud.

It felt like her heart was beating a thousand times per minute and she was left speechless.

Liam

His eyes became sharp with hunger. Her reaction was pretty predictable. Her flavor? Not as much. His dead mouth felt like it was on fire. This was like going from light beer to moonshine after a hundred years and it was ridiculous.

He could smell everything about her from here, but it was hard to focus on that because it felt like he was drinking liquid life out of her arm. He just knew she liked it. He just knew he wanted more. The hungry demon in his chest made him clench at the human's arm, pulling more blood out while instinctively keeping her from pulling away.

But then, he was full. There was no way he could be finished that quickly. He burned it off giving his body a flush of life, bringing dead bits so they seemed alive, and drank some more.

Only then did he let go, licking along her arm where he bit to close the wound and releasing her.

[Elf]

Rin

He's already been thrown into enough crazy scenarios today . . . Rin thought until Joe said he didn't mind meeting Jeanne.

Rin saw the saddened, almost pitying look in Jeanne's eyes.  It was enough to make her want to bristle and hiss, like the cats she favored.  She didn't though.  It's bad enough I'm pitied as the poor spinster, but it's bad enough when I finally get a date with a guy that I actually like people keep popping in to check on me.

She relaxed somewhat, her arms lowering to wrap around her waist.  "Joe, this is Jeanne, one of Sakura's Servants.  Jeanne, this is Joe.  My date," she said with a sigh.

Damn it, I just want something of my own where Sakura and her Support Group aren't a part of . . .


Forest

Forest blinked as she saw Marcus's thoughts.

He's as afraid of being abandoned as I am, Forest thought as she looked up at him.  She bit her lip, looked down, and shrugged.  "Actually, I kind of thought you were going to get upset and leave," she answered in a soft voice.


Roderick

Roderick sighed and said, "Of course."

I need to find a band of adventurers and see if they want a sorcerer in their party.  Maybe I'll get to burn things then . . .

[Aiden]

Neptune

The purple haired goddess appeared to be thinking about the choice given her. A grin started forming as she made up her mind. Mere momens later a bright flash enveloped her. When it was over Neptune had been replaced by her goddess form Purple Heart. "We're going to have a better view now." Her now deeper said as she moved into action.

Purple Heart didn't even both to wait for his consent, she grabbed hold of him and blasted off. Her strange mechanical spread out as the two of them took to the skies. High into the air she took them, until they passed the peak of the skyscrapers and beyond, reaching for the clouds themselves.

"I hope you like it Gadreel. Being back here I mean." The true intent of her sudden brash action revealed itself with that curious statement.

Gadreel

To what end was she returning to that other form of her's, holding onto him so tightly? It was... strange... oh.

Oh.

His heart skipped a beat in his torso as his eyes scanned the horizon, catching a glimpse of the sun settling in the far distance. He had not seen such a thing except from the interior of an aircraft in eons. For but an instant the fallen angel was struck with a fierce nostalgia, a longing the likes of which had not struck him since he'd first surrendered his wings for freedom.

"... I have not received such a gift before." Wind struck his face as if to highlight the trickle of wetness that had escaped from his eye. "Thank you."

[Aiden]

Ron

"Notice I said 'what' rather than 'who." Because Ron wasn't going to take that suggestion laying down. Sure it was petty, but he was in a shirt and boxers in a really cramped studio apartment with himself, the girl he'd been sleeping with for the past few months, and a stupidly handsome guy. "So you're an elf that can appear out of nowhere. Good to know."

At least the werewolf didn't look like he wanted to tear the guy apart anymore. Not that he couldn't if he needed to. Probably.

"So, what's up?"

[YOLF]

Rafalia

A clear direction and the encouragement to perform to her best gave the faerie new breath. "Hold on tight!" She suggested, cracking the ebony reins and urging her horse to run like he was to be seen with a firm cry.

Its hooves like coal and its lightless mane rode forth through the castle gates like a dark wind, carrying its rider and hanger-on close to its back. It stomped like low thunderclaps that echoed around the stone halls as it dashed past doors and collumns according to Lucy's instructions, while Rafalia worked out the details of her entrance on the go. Simply breaking the final doors open and presenting herself ominously would suffice even without dramatic lighting prepared ahead of time, but.

She needed a bit more, a flourish that would enrich the crusty delight of her unearthly appearance. There was only one place to get something like that on short demand, and it was her nightmares. Smiling, she remembered one that would be perfect for this occasion. She reached into it, the vision of a titanic brass centipede the lengtht of the sky rising from a sea of dead souls to devour the world, and squeezed it between the corners of her mind and her hands, willing it into glossy and blossoming substance contained in her palm.

Then the steed neighed, announcing itself like a flash of lightning in a downpour as it heavily banged the doors of the kitchen open. Petals of flashing obsidian swirled into the room with their arrival, drifting from Rafalia's hand with the current that whistled at their heels. She threw a hand out, whipping up the red and black of her royal coat in an smile that had seen things beyond the grasp of any mortal, the twinkling stars in the black of her eyes regarding the two occupants decisively.

"The rider of anihilation, warrior of excruciations and descendent of the princes of faerie, Rafalia Tredecim has arrived, most kind of folk! I have flown here on behalf of the damned, and I smile at our acquaintance!" She thundered from her throat, like the apocalypse in the tone of silk.

With a mad spin she leaped from the back of the horse and landed in a soft bow, posing with the politeness owed to a noble and gesturing to Lucy. "I have brought your errant maid, whose honeyed words brought out my curiosity."

[Thedoctor]

William

The two of them eventually arrived at the kitchen, it was big but completely devoid of people. "It seems we will be getting visitors soon." He set the twin tailed goddess down. He didn't have time to say anymore as the doors were flung open and an excentric rider came with his maid. She made pompous declaration of who she was and flipped off of her horse.


"And I don't smile at your brazen horeback riding inside my abode."

A deep voice suddenly spoke up from behind two people who had so rudely barged into the kitchen. It was impossible but that didn't change the fact it had happened.

The voice of the master of the castle was indeed coming from behind them.

"If this is some sad attempt to get in my graces Rafalia Tredecim, if that is truly your name. Then you have truly failed, if it wasn't for the fact you've brought me my maid back, you would have already grown acquaintant with my sharks." This time it came from within the kitchen, strangely enough it was the exact same voice.