Cross Effects: Rebirth (2.0) The RP

[Brahmastra]

The flash in Forest's indigo eyes was one Gabriel was all too familiar with.  Yet, other than sitting up, the eternal teenage girl made no movements.  Gabriel cleared his throat and said, "It is considered rude to enter someone's bedchambers without permission.  It is even in more bad taste to move someone out of the way without asking first.  Especially to ask about something as inane as red lintels."

"Since I heard the rather loud crash, but since things were going so well I decided not to interfere,"  Gabriel said with a smile and shrug of his own.

"And it is not rude to eavesdrop on others? Much less because of your little game of finding Forest a sexual partner?", responded the sun god in kind. Truly the man before him, who's name he did not even know yet, had a most inappropriate of goals bared to Karna's eyes.

Forest sighed and said, "Okay, this isn't Hakuno's Archer.  Other reality and all of that.  Not to mention he smells like magic so don't go presuming I'm some homewrecker.  You've done enough of that tonight anyway."  Then she looked at Gabriel and asked, "Red lintels?"

"I don't use them in my cooking so no, we don't have any.  It's more of an Eastern flare and I'm obviously more Western in the kitchen," Gabriel answered with a smile, "However, if you want red lintels, there is a Whole Foods Market not even five miles from here."

With a bored sigh, Karna internally gave up on his cooking adventure. He really could not be bothered to do that much.

The mention of a food market got him suddenly interested. "If you're going out to that Market, I'll tag along."

"No thank you. I suppose we will have to wait a while before breakfast is served then. Though it is only appropriate that the same guest isn't cooking for his host twice in but a few hours."

"Speaking of homewrecking, Forest, the firebird melted a hole in your wall upstairs." His comment would've been cheeky if it wasn't delivered with the bored monotone that it always was.

[Knick]

Phoenix

Phoenix saw the hydra enter the world. It watched as the bull chased the two in one friend. It watched as the Behemoth fought the angry friend.

It looked that the man who called the beast of old back into this world. The beasts it at times played with, the beasts which it watched be born into the world. The beasts have long since moved on, to the far side of the world, to the core of Gaia. They left the world because there was no longer a place for them, and so they returned to their mother.

How dare this friend -no this human- call them into the world and bind them to his will? How. Dare He.

And so Phoenix’s light grew until it lit the sky. It’s light melting the newly falling snow. And with its light the earth grew warm.

Plants began to grow. The pavement cracked and gave way. Giant wooden trucks and branches grew, encircling the Hydra and Phoenix directed and empowered them with its light.  They wrapped and bended around the snake like beast with many heads. It tried again and again to break free but every time it failed. The tree was stronger, empowered by Phoenix’s light, a conceptual source of energy and life.

And when the hydra was trapped completely it stopped. The tree consumed the street, it grew over the pavement and into the buildings. But yet most the street was still open.

And from above Phoenix looked down at the human, the insect that dare bind being like the beasts of Gaia to his will. And so, to deliver punishment it gave birth to fire. The flames spinning around it and filling the sky, obscuring it from sight.

Then they gave way and scattered, and Phoenix’s wings spread full at its full size. It’s main body easily the height of a multi-storied building, and its wings spreading even further.

The flames poured of its form and it let loose a screech. A screech of anger filled the city. And the fire fell, hell bent on consuming one thing. The man who dared chain its friends would know the Sun’s wrath. 

[Mooncake]

The mention of a food market got him suddenly interested. "If you're going out to that Market, I'll tag along."

The door was kicked open with such force that it nearly came off it's hinges, slamming into the wall hard enough to dent it. The man that stood in the frame drew all attention from the damage he had just wrought, unwilling though he was. His red hair was wet with snow and blood, enough so that it poured down his face in dried rivulets. It could have been his golden eyes or his unnaturally pale skin in a different setting, but what drew the eye was the massive piece of stone that jutted from his chest.

Limping forward due to the piece of rebar sticking through his knee, one of his arms swung in an unnatural way, the veins within it swollen and bright red, tracing their way through the entirety of his skin, from his hand to his shoulder. It was a miracle that even a little of his dark coat still remained, as his clothing was tattered beyond any repair. No, beyond that, it was a miracle that he could even move - yet move he did.

Lucas Klein, the resident, came to a slow, tired stop in front of the people gathered around the room.

"...Apples. "

With this word, Lucas seemed to sag, his feet still supporting the weight of the massive stone and pieces of metal that ran through him as if he were a pincushion. His exhaustion was evident, but even as he staggered his supernatural strength still supported him. He looked as if he had died on his feet, until he spoke again.

"Axe. Arm... needs to come... off."

The redhead's eyelids sank - if someone had not had an inkling of what he was, they might have assumed he was dead. As it was, there was now a redheaded stranger in the compound, resembling a statue more than he did a man.

[YOLF]

Fate

Fate was not surprised by his strike soaring right over Shiro. But on the other hand, he did not expect the man to avoid it entirely so effectively, much less follow up so quickly with a grapple that threw his body into the air.

He adjusted to his new position mid air just as the priest's flare detonated and more of the man's throwing blades whistled at and past him. Fate realized the man's intent. Just as before, he planned to hit his shadow to bind him while threatening him directly with further projectiles to limit his movement. Except this time, he had altered the conditions of the battlefield to suit his plan.

A crafty variation in the attack pattern. Certainly in this situation, one would normally be resigned to either let himself be bound, or hit with potentially deadly force. In his case, neither was particularly troublesome or serious, but it would cause a setback on his so far superior position in the fight. Dodging was the optimal solution, but it should've been an impossible one in this situation. For anyone else that would be true, but not for him.

In the split second it took him to consider that, he focused magic at the soles of his feet. His body tensed, and using the "air" as a platform he kicked off, faster than the blades seeking him and his shadow, all but vanishing in a burst of motion.

His Void Instant Movement brought him to the priest's flank, inside melee range. Shiro had withdrawn his holy spear to set up the previous attack. This was by far the best timing to engage him in close combat.

Fate's feet held the ground firmly, and in a blur he formed a solid stance from which he renewed his offensive. A barrage of hard strikes of his fists, elbows and knees commenced with speed and agility greater than he had shown so far.

His mind focused on the battle at hand while taking in all of his avenues of attack and pressed the advantage.

[Elf]

Gabriel smirked at Karna and said, "Godmother is fully aware of my ambitions and is quite use to it.  Its in my nature after all, and repression can be very dangerous.  Look at what happens with a number of Catholic priests."

"As to cooking, I believe no one asked you to do such a thing.  Taking such liberties in another's home can be considered quite rude this day and age," Gabriel continued, turning to his godmother.

******

Forest leaned over and kissed Gabriel's cheek.  Her Godson, despite being Irish, did not have temper or impulse control of his native country or the Fae.  So while Forest wanted to rip Karna's face off or knee his codpiece into his groin, Gabriel would meet the Hindu deity's caustic nature with insulting flippiance.

Then Archer made his comment about breaking the bed and she grinned.  Then Gabriel mentioned Whole Foods and the Asian man seemed to perk up.  Gabriel smiled as well and said, "Well, I was thinking of taking a trip there.  Someone," he gave Karna a lopsided smile, "Depleted the kitchen of almost all it's supplies."

"Speaking of homewrecking, Forest, the firebird melted a hole in your wall upstairs."

Forest scowled and said, "Bloody hell, and with the sun up I can't do a goddamn thing . . ."

"I can get supplies to repair it," Gabriel said with a smile before the door flew open.

The first thing Forest was aware of was the smell of blood of a mythic nature.  Then walked in that redheaded douche that started the destruction of her car.  He looked extremely worse for wear, pale, bloody, concrete and what not sticking out of him.

"Axe. Arm... needs to come... off."

Then he went completely still, almost like a statue.  Gabriel blinked and said, "Oh my."

"That's the fucking cunt that destroyed the Camaro!" Forest snapped before balling up her fist and aiming it right at Lucas' face.

[Knick]

Shiro

Did… did he just jump off the air?

But Shiro did not have time to worry about that with Fate at his side launching strike after strike. He was stronger, and his rate of attack was the same as his own. Each of Fate’s strikes were deflected due to experience and skill, but even still Shiro was pushed further and further back, forced into Fate's tempo.  It was obvious who had superiority in hand to hand.

So Shiro simply had to change the game, but he was already within range, and so his Scripture would be more of a detriment then a benefit.

And so he did something different. When Fate launched his next strike a Black Key appeared in each of his hands, like a pair of twin swords, and he moved to cut Fate’s fist with his blade.

The Black Keys were designed as throwing weapons yes, but they still had razor sharp edges. No matter how unsuited a blade is for melee combat it is still a blade. It has a sharp edge and a point, so in the hands of one who knows how to use them even the most impractical weapons becomes a deadly tool. 

And there were very, very, few people in the entirety of the church more skilled with Black Keys then Shiro, the Holy Monster of the Church, The Demon Priest, and the 4th member of the Burial Agency “Chain”, one that lock away freedom of movement and seals them and their power away.

And so, against their intended purpose, the twin black keys moved to meet Fate’s strikes, intent on cutting the assaulting limbs.

[Alice]

Rin

With a bright smile that betrayed her current playfulness, Fiore spoke as she rolled over and handed back one of the keys to the front desk attendant.

"Have fun, you two. And good night!"

With that, the trio of girls turned tail and took the elevator to the 8th floor, where the rooms she had rented were located.

And then Rin was alone with Lancer. And she didn't quite know how to feel about that.

Oh come on! You're a Tohsaka! Zelretch's apprentice! I won't let this be the thing that defeats me! I'll totally get this under control!

Lancer laughed as the other three girls departed.  He said, "I pointedly said I wasn't going to spend the night unless you wanted me to, Rin."

He winked at her and said, "Now you get a room to yourself once I leave.  Unless you do want me to spend the night.  However, let's go get a drink at the bar and catch up.  My treat.  I have a job here in Nexus that doesn't involve fighting things."

Rin tried her best to hide her surprise and hint of relief (and... perhaps a bit of disappointment as well) behind her usual smiling pokerface.

"Sure, I'll accept that offer. It's been awhile since we've talked after all. And... well, after how tonight's been at points, I could probably use a drink." Her tone turned maybe just a touch too cheerful in an attempt to sound more conversational. "So, you got a job then! Congratulations! Where do you work then?"

Mille

Applying the electronic key to it's keyhole, she opened the door and went in before the other two. It was a fine room of significant size, with paintings in gold frames adorning every wall, a proper kitchen with a stocked fridge and.... a single californian king sized bed.

"w-Well, it's quite large so we should be fine on the elbow space, but this is unexpected. But we'll make do, right girls?", her statement betrayed slightly by a nervous stammer.

Amy simply smiled at Fiore, “It will be fine, don’t worry about it.” She began to stretch her arms.

“Well, I am going to take a shower and hit the hay, it’s been a long day.” She yawned, “If you need your clothes cleaned just ask Proxy, he will be happy to do it.” The rabbit nodded from his position on the bed.

Mille nodded in agreement, her expression as deathly serious as ever. "It's no problem. If it's more practical, I can sleep on the end of the bed, or the floor if need be. A magus has to adapt to most any situation, after all."

[Brahmastra]

Mille nodded in agreement, her expression as deathly serious as ever. "It's no problem. If it's more practical, I can sleep on the end of the bed, or the floor if need be. A magus has to adapt to most any situation, after all."

"Don't be like that, Mille. There's enough space for all three of us. You don't have to adapt to anything, we are all friends here", said Fiore, taking one of Mille's hands in her own two as a casual gesture of friendship while flashing her usual beaming smile.

The girl was a bit scary at times with how serious she seemed to be, but to Fiore, who was herself good at wearing a mask of emotions, it was obvious. This was just her way of dealing with things. For that reason, Fiore respected that, but it did feel a bit... impersonal with her mannerisms.

[Kat]

Mordred

She had her moment of inspiration in the heat of the battle. Haphazard that plan might have sounded, but luring the Behemoth into a place where she could strike it in some vulnerable part of its body could possibly work. Mordred purposefully retreated back, letting the lumbering monster 'chase' her into more appropiate location.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Grigori

Azmortchal'um, as a False Face:
"I was born before there was a distinction of the two, Grigori." the monstrosity explained, "At least, that was true from the world I am from. I am very much aware what the Nexus is, and how realities merge here."

"Now, Child of Noah, how long have you been in this place?

"A natural being created in a world filled with mana. Rare, but not unique." Grigori sighed. She was expecting something more interesting. "I have been in the Nexus for a few weeks. The Nexus was an anomaly so I decided to investigate it personally. So far it has proven to be an entertaining place. But I'm curious about this name you have been calling me. My memory stretches back to the beginning of creation, and I have never heard of a man known as Noah. Who is he, and why do you call me the 'Child of Noah'?

[Brahmastra]

"As to cooking, I believe no one asked you to do such a thing.  Taking such liberties in another's home can be considered quite rude this day and age," Gabriel continued, turning to his godmother.

"You reject the food fed to you as if it was mud thrown on your doorstep. Truly every hungry mouth in the world must hate your very being, bastard child", responded Karna, not even turning the Incubus' way, "And besides, it is a good host that is one that can deal with the rudeness of her guests."

Then Archer made his comment about breaking the bed and she grinned.  Then Gabriel mentioned Whole Foods and the Asian man seemed to perk up.  Gabriel smiled as well and said, "Well, I was thinking of taking a trip there.  Someone," he gave Karna a lopsided smile, "Depleted the kitchen of almost all it's supplies."

"I was asked to cook, admittedly not by the host, and I did so. Every guest, however, seemed to greatly enjoy it. It seems you were the only one displeased by the culinary display. A given when you were not there to witness it and instead engaged in whatever indecent act could be heard from the third floor."

Again the Incubus gave Karna sass, and this time the god turned halfway around and leaned against the doorway, eyeing the Incubus with his usual eyes; eyes that looked dejecting, condescending and hateful, even as they contained none of those things in truth.

"So, why is your harlot not with you?"

The first thing Forest was aware of was the smell of blood of a mythic nature.  Then walked in that redheaded douche that started the destruction of her car.  He looked extremely worse for wear, pale, bloody, concrete and what not sticking out of him.

"Axe. Arm... needs to come... off."

Then he went completely still, almost like a statue.  Gabriel blinked and said, "Oh my."

"That's the fucking cunt that destroyed the Camaro!"

"Do not forget that I was the one who split your toy in half, though in my defense I did do it to avoid you being crushed by it", looking at the to-be violent display before him with his arms crossed.

[Knick]

Amy

Amy’s voice came out from bathroom, “Ya don’t worry about it Mille, there is more than enough room.” The sound of the shower making it slightly difficult to hear.

It was 10 minutes later when Amy got out, clad in nothing but a towel. “Whoever wants to wash up next it’s your turn. Will you need help getting into the bath Fiore?”

[Brahmastra]

"I, uh, was planning on going last since I might take a while, but if Mille's okay with it and you can help me in, I'd like to go next", Fiore said, a tinge of red going to her face, as she loosened her fine black bowtie and began unbuttoning her uniform jacket.

Then, Fiore's face reddened even more, and before she even spoke her request, her face had the same color as that of a tomato.

"A-a-amy, could you, uhm, help me, erm, get my pants off? It will, uh, take quite a while for me to, erm, get them off myself." Her black uniform pants were always quite tight, and usually it was a very slow and clumsy-looking process getting them off by herself. However, only when she tried to ask for help did she realize the implication of and how embarrassing it was to say it out loud.

[YOLF]

Fate

In the middle of the arena, the priest and the mage traded blows many times faster than a regular human would able to perceive, their shapes a blur of attack and defense. With matching agility, the latter avoided taking damage from the former's assault, but the ceaseless offensive menacingly bored down on Shiro. At every dodge, room was forced between them that was soon occupied, and with every block, Fate's strength pushed the priest back. To call it one sided was innacurate, but it was obvious who held the advantage. All the more reason for Fate to not drop his guard.

Pulling back his arm from an avoided jab, the other darted at Shiro's chest for his next strike, and there was a whish of metal as Fate stepped forward in the momentum. Two of the thin blades of the priest flew at his outstretched limb, wielded like swords.

Fate forced his forward motion to a halt and twisted his arm, knocking one of the blades away with the back of his hand while parrying the other with a smack of his wrist and palm that diffused the strength of the cut against his barrier.

It was unfortunate for Shiro, but Fate had long since learned from his time with Tsukuyomi how to fight swordsmen. The speed at which the man had called his blades and shifted their use to melee had surprised him enough that he did not manage to completely deflect the slashes without relying on his barrier. But it would not happen again.

A sweeping kick forced Shiro back and one of the Obsidian Swords scattered earlier landed on Fate's hand. Grasping it instantly with a focused frown, he flowed forward to slash at his opponent before the priest could recover his tempo.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

Paladin

"I have a plan. Paladin, I'm going to ask you to do exactly as I say,"

"I hope it's a good plan, Hunter." Paladin unsheathed his sword, removed the shield from his back, and held the sword in his right hand and the shield in his left. He was ready to listen to the plan, but if Archive Hunter was going to harm the officers Paladin would not hesitate to knock him out. Harming the innocent went against Stribog's teachings, and even if Paladin enjoyed Archive Hunter's company, he would not hesitate to strike Hunter down.

"I hope so too. Step one," I said, mentally steeling myself. Six shots, and the chase might be prolonged. Couldn't waste any. "Run like hell."

As soon as I say this, I run away. More cop cars come in from the other side of the street, but that wasn't where I was headed anyway.

"Stop!" one of the cops said from behind me, obviously snapped out of whatever daze he had been in for a second, and right after I hear a bullet dash past my ear. It's the little things in life that you learn to enjoy, like when someone misses a shot at you.

Another shot misses as I duck into a back alley and keep running, viciously keeping to the plan.

First part of the plan: lose the cops. Status: Working on it.

I spare a moment to look back and see if Paladin was keeping up. I was keeping it slow for him.