Cross Effects 3.0 - November 16, 2014—April 13, 2015

[Elf]

Forest

She blinked as Ann climbed into the car and sat on Law's lap.  She was aware that Shirou had gotten out of the car and went to go calm Mia down.  He knows something's not right with the girl either, she thought.

She also was aware of a child killing monster being lose in the city.  Saber needed her help tracking it down and Forest wasn't going to let that sort of shit stand.  A dull pulse was starting to form behind her forehead and she rubbed it.

She looked at Shirou and called out, "I'm at a bloody loss."


Saber

Saber took a deep breath and opened her phone.  "She should have been here by now."

If anything, she was sure they could use the vampire's keen senses to try to track the monster down.


The Fanged Foursome

Buffy made a sound that was somewhere between a snort and a laugh.  She asked, "Poaching?  Did she just really say 'poaching'?  Who the hell uses that word anymore."

"Poachers," Spike replied with a tiny smirk as he took a draw off his cigarette.

The blond former-cheerleader stared at the Brit before busting out into full out giggles.

Drusilla, picking up on the mood decided to giggle with her.

Angelus ignored his giggling bitches and turned back to Deborah.  "Well this is Nexus City.  Any and everything does happen.  Killing vampires is . . . well this ugly old man said it wasn't something to be taken lightly, but I didn't like him much.  And she killed him," he gestured his head to Buffy, who had sobered up slightly.

Spike flicked the stub of his cigarette and said, "So love, are you just that lonely and wanting to find others of your kind?"

"Lost little lamb," Dru said with a more than a little disturbing smile.

[Alice]

Rin

Rin stared unblinking at the strange man as he went on and on and on. While it's possible he was just from a completely different dimension where things were a lot different, well...

What's with this guy. What's he even talking about?!

"Eh heh..." Rin just gave him as much of a smile as she could manage. It wasn't exactly one of her best attempts. But then the circumstances were a bit more... difficult this time. It was taking up part of her restraint, after all, not just to say something snarky.

She turned back to Saber, wanting to avoid that awkwardness as much as she could.

Saber took a deep breath and opened her phone.  "She should have been here by now."

Thankful for the opportunity to focus on something that wasn't High Inquisitor Weirdo, Rin took the chance to speak up before Saber made her call.

"Who's 'she?'"

[Cherry Lover]

Rider listened to the two of them talk, honestly not overly impressed with either, although Adjutor was worst. Caster seemed rather too eager to get into a needless fight, but Adjutor's attitude really was absurd. He'd appeared in the middle of their house, and was acting like they were the ones who owed him an explanation. And, whilst he had stated no desire to harm Sakura, his use of the statement "monstrous tendencies" both worried and irritated her. After all, she was a monster, as was Sakura herself, to a limited extent. If he was someone who hunted down "monsters" as a fundamental principle, he may well react badly to their true natures.

Still, despite his attitude, she felt it made sense to explain why they had left him behind. It was simple enough, and there was no need to continue the fight. Before she could, though, she heard a loud "thump" come from upstairs.

Sakura!

Are you OK, Sakura? Rider sent through their telepathic link, full of concern for her master, before turning to address the others.

"Well, I hope you're both happy. You've woken Sakura up!" she said, angrily. "And, she seems to have hurt herself."

"Adjutor, in future, if you want to come into someone's house, knock. If you make a mistake and enter accidentally, then either leave, or announce yourself and apologise. Don't go barging in, set yourself up in a magus' workshop and then act like you're entitled to an explanation when you get attacked by a jumpy magus. Caster relies heavily on the element of surprise, so he tends to shoot first and ask questions later, unlike me."

"Now, you two can continue to argue over who owes who what if you want, I'm going to make sure Sakura is OK", she finished, her anger still clear.

Waiting for Sakura's reply, Rider turned into spirit form and began to head upstairs.

[SINIB]

Sakura continued rubbing her head, holding herself up with her left hand. “Owww, I guess I’m still really exhausted, ehehe.” She winced when she began to chuckle.

Sakura!

Sakura shuddered with surprise when she heard Rider yell at her through their telepathic link. Huh? Oh, Rider! W-She began to speak, reminded of the situation at hand. However, she before she could finish, Rider frantically asked another question.

Sakura, what’s wrong? What happened?

Are you OK, Sakura?

She heard both of them speaking to her at the same time, their voices full of concern. Yes, I’m fine. I just fell down. What’s going on downstairs? What’s wrong? Sakura grabbed the bed with both hands, and slowly stood up, her legs shaking and threatening to buckle under her. Gritting her teeth, she slowly began walking to the door, one step at a time.

The man who helped us at the hospital decided to break into the house, first through your room and now he’s in my workshop.

Wha- Sakura lost her concentration and collapsed to her knees, catching herself before she could faceplant into the floor again.

What happened now?

Nothing, I just fell again.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I didn't sneak in, that's just how I get around when I'm in a hurry. I was aiming for the front door, but I didn't feel like bothering with the familiars, and it seems like I overshot a little," Adjutor admits, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. Then he notes the vial thrown at him, snatching it out of the air with another tendril from the Armogarians and sealing it inside a wind-based isolation field created with Valmanway. Putting the vial down, Adjutor quickly scans for more familiars before relaxing slightly, pointing his weapons towards the floor.

"In any case, it's fairly clear you were chased off, so I thought it would be best if I got here in a way that couldn't be tracked, but, again, I seem to have overshot a little."

“You know, there’s a phrase that perfectly describes these actions you’ve taken in far less words. They are ‘sneaking in.’ Why did you try to sneak past the familiars? What did this gain you? I’d like you to stop acting like you’re entitled to anything, after what you’ve done.”

Suddenly, he heard a loud thump from upstairs.

Sakura, what’s wrong? What happened?

Yes, I’m fine. I just fell down. What’s going on downstairs? What’s wrong?

The man who helped us at the hospital decided to break into the house, first through your room and now he’s in my workshop.

Wha-

What now? Faust asked, concern in his voice. He glanced at the mage, who seemed to have stood down. “You, mage. Come with me, now. I don’t have time to deal with you.”

[Panda]

Adjutor takes a moment to reconsider the situation.

Why did we sneak in past the familiars?

It was your idea.

I just didn't want to get into any more fights than were necessary.

...We're going to need a while to sort this one out.

Apparently. We kinda fucked up, that much is obvious.

Then Rider leaves, something about Sakura hurting herself.

Probably because she's got some sort of detection field that we set off...

Anything else we screwed up today?

"Wait. This is a workshop? ...Sorry about that..." Adjutor says, noting the distinct lack of bodies that a workshop would normally contain, at least in his experience, anyway.

The number of things going on here that we don't know about is astounding.

Kinda the story of our lives, isn't it?

Fair enough.

Adjutor simply nods at Faust's offer, "Of course, just need a moment to collect my things."

With that, Adjutor goes about the task of re-sheathing the swords and rearranging the sheathes before following Faust out of the library, still wondering about what on earth happened while he was unconscious and about the various boundary fields he found downstairs, keeping an eye out for anymore of them on his way to wherever Faust is leading him.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Ann

The Driver's mad grin flashed from the corner of his eye as he stared into the girl's eyes. "Well... I died. Sort of. Junkie stabbed me a couple of times and then the cabbie pulled out some slavshit pistol from when he was in the KGB or whatever he was in and busted a few rounds loose into him and a few blew through him into me... it hurt.  A lot. I was pretty drunk at the time though."

Law shrugged slightly. "So yeah. I came back. Somehow. Now please get off my lap. Please. It's been a long time since I've gotten any if you know what I mean and this is awkward as shit enough already OK?" His babble started to become panicky towards the end.

Death simply smirked at the panicked tone in Law's voice. Then with a single burst of the Rot his pants simply fell apart, and at the same time her cloak stretched to cover the windows and hide the two of them from anyone looking in. The bemused expression on Ann's face didn't change as she slowly began to grind her hips against him and said, "I'm afraid I'm a bit too comfortable to leave now, Little Death. And I still need to know about the other one."

Her mind touched his. A terrifyingly old intelligence surrounded Law's own mind as it made contact with him. "The other one can start now. I'm sure that it has much more to say than you do."

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Law's sense of panic grew from 'Fear' to 'I NEED AN ADULT' as soon as he felt his jeans rotting away at Ann's touch, and horrifically his body was reacting in the exact opposite way he wanted it to. The mythical terror boner was now less myth and more starting to become a reality as she ground against his boxer-clad hips, a whimper of fear escaping Lawrence as he tried to somehow turn incorporeal and phase through the seat of the Firebird. The Driver's mad giggling at the situation echoing through his soul and mind just added to the gnawing fear in his stomach.

Relax. Just let it happen.
NO FUCK YOU I NEED A RAPE WHISTLE WHERE IS THE RAPE WHISTLE
Shush. The adults need to speak Lawrence.

Another whimper escaped Lawrence as her mind breached his, the weight of eons pressing on his comprehension of reality. This wasn't the case with the Driver. The bloody man grinned at death itself.

They call me the Taxi Driver. I picked that name for some reason. Its what I was. He died in a cab, in a way like how I died before I became the Taxi Driver. I picked him over so many others because he even before I met him, could sense the other side. I made an offer. Law took it because he did not want to die. The contract we made has Bound us, tighter than any normal mortal would notice. I am him, a part of him, and he has a part of me.

The Driver chuckled as he looked at Ann. I feel what he feels, and he sees what I see. I lend him my strength when he needs it, and my thoughts no matter what he wishes. And I think whatever you're doing is quite satisfying...

JESUS CHRIST NO I DON'T WANNA GET RAPED! YOU FUCKING SON OF A BITCH!

What did I say about letting the adult's talk?

[Umbra of Chaos]

Ann

An amused expression spread itself across Death's face as her two 'victims' spoke to each other. She slowly stopped moving, but one of her hands managed to find its way into Law's boxers, and a few of her fingers stroked and teased the head of his growing hardness.

"I could continue, but I would prefer both sides to be consensual and while he may be adorable I currently don't have the desire to force myself on him." Even as she said this her other hand rotted its way through his shirt to lay on his bare chest.

"Now, you aren't a spirit and are remarkably similar to myself. A curiosity that I would love to unravel and solve. I would assume that you are perhaps a fragment of something like me, or perhaps a manifestation of death, but you are a trifling little thing. Certainly not potent enough to be a complete incarnation. Perhaps an aspect? I suppose I can test this theory out. Tell me, Little Death, what do you feel when you see this?" Then for a brief instant she forced an image into his mind. An impossibly tall figure whose cloak was made of shifting shadows and whose body was made out of uncountable skeletons, but the most frightening thing was its soul. A wailing cacophony of death made of an uncountable number of living beings that still drew the souls of even more towards it. Even this shard of a memory contained power when this entity was invoked within it. The temperature of the car dropped like a rock and the choking feeling of the end permeated every inch of it.

[Arch-Magos Winter]

Lawrence twitched and shuddered at the cold hand on his chest, the knife and pistol in his coat and shirt falling to the ground. A hand snaked around to wrap reassuringly around the K-Bar's handle, a comforting weight.

Don't.
If she tries I will. I fucking will.

Law shivered at her voice in his head, purring at him. Adorable, she called him. So adorable she wanted to fuck him. This wouldn't normally be a thing he'd react anything but eagerly to, but she was stroking him and he could feel her body wrapped in the coldness of death, and his mind was screaming at him to run and hide or fight to the death to avoid her. Then she showed him her true form, and his mind fought to stay concious as he mapped herself onto the attractive young woman on his lap.

I feel... strangely comforted. Like I see what I might become.

Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope boner go away I don't want this go down fucking hell nope nope nope

"L-la- Miss Death? Um. Could you erm, bring back my clothes? It's cold outside..." Lawrence's panic was evident. "And in here. Not that you're cold or - oh jesus christ just please don't do anything to me oh god..." Law just wanted to curl into a ball and cry.

[SINIB]

Faust led the mage through the house, ending up at the front door, which he promptly opened. "Goodbye, thank you for your help at the hospital, but it's time for you to leave."

[Cherry Lover]

Rider continued heading towards Sakura's room in spirit form, quickly reaching it and stopping outside the door.

Yes, I’m fine. I just fell down. What’s going on downstairs? What’s wrong? she heard Sakura say.

That idiot from the hospital decided to just appear in the middle of Caster's workshop for some bizarre reason, and Caster decided that he obviously had to violate the guy with his tentacles and imps for that transgression, Rider responded, clearly irritated at both of their actions.

As she did so, she returned to her corporeal form and, changing into her casual outfit, approached the door. She could hear Sakura walking slowly and unsteadily towards the door. Rider waited outside for a moment, until she heard another thump as Sakura fell down once more.

Sakura, are you OK? she said, concerned, as she ran into the room to help out her master.

[Umbra of Chaos]

Ann

"A promising reaction. You have some potential after all. " Ann laughed a bit at the panic and fear displayed by Law in his thoughts and voice. Her hand abandoned its teasing position as both hands moved to grip his face. Then she sent a stream of emotion into his head. A peace and calmness only achieved by the greatest of sages or by those who had become one with Death itself.

"Better now? Your fear is cute. It's almost as if you were a mouse. I'm leaving now, but I do need to make sure you understand something. The both of you belong to me." The tone she had said this in was almost impassive. As if she was simply stating a fact like 'The sky is blue' . Ann removed herself from her position on the man and her cloak withdrew from the windows as she opened the door, but she paused for a moment before turning back around.

"It would be best for you not to forget who you belong to, Little Death. Things would be much less fun for me if I had to take you by force." With that said Death incarnate calmly walked in the direction of the mall she had just come from. Any obstacle in her way including cars, walls, and foliage were reduced to nothing but dust as she made a slow stroll back to Sarse.


David

While The Joyous was too busy giggling and laughing at meaningless things to care about the blonde woman that approached them, The Scholarly had noticed the newcomer in an instant. His ancient eyes narrowed as one of his hands picked up his expertly crafted bow and another one shook the sleeping redhead awake. David's eyes opened to see the casually dressed woman as she began to speak.

"I should have expected others like me would find way through Hedge to this weird city. I am Mordred of Summer Court, a member of the Legion of the Iron Wall. There is no freehold here, but don't worry about that, I'm familiar enough with the place to show you the ropes"

David let out a small chuckle at the newcomer's talk. "I'm afraid that you have the wrong idea." He removed The Joyous' head from his lap and stood up to his full height.

"I'm David and these two are my siblings. I don't know what you're talking about, but this 'Hedge' sound very interesting. You arrived here through it?" As David moved to greet the stranger The Joyous rose from her position and ignored Mordred and instead looked towards the small creature that floated around the woman. It let out a small giggle before a clawed hand reached out to rip the wings off of what was presumably a fairy as The Scholarly watched the whole exchange with keen interest.


Wiseman

"Pardon me. I have brought the tea."

The warlock stood up as Butler rolled in with the food and tea and helped place them all on the table next to the still hot cheese fondue and bread. "I suppose we can begin in earnest now. I suppose it would be best if we started from the beginning. Would you prefer to hear my tale first or would you rather tell your own?"

[SINIB]

That idiot from the hospital decided to just appear in the middle of Caster's workshop for some bizarre reason, and Caster decided that he obviously had to violate the guy with his tentacles and imps for that transgression, Rider responded, clearly irritated at both of their actions.

That makes sense, why do you sou-
Before she could finish her thought, Rider burst into the room, Sakura, are you OK?

“Yes I’m fine Rider. I just fell again,” She responded sheepishly. “My legs don’t seem to want to work right now. Can you help me up? I’d rather not fall again. What’s Caster doing?”

[Puck-Chan]

Puck

After a harrowing escape from Briarwolves Mordred reached the end of Trod. It lead to the other side of the park in which she entered the Hedge. Honestly, she expected to end up in more distant place, but she was glad that she ended up where she ended up. With Briarwolves losing her track, she was safe from the pursuit.

Walking in the park she stumbled on three individuals. The woman resembled one of Fairest, and the four armed man could be also a Changeling, though she could not readily classify to what Seeming he belonged. The man napping on the bench was clearly a mortal. Mordred suspected they could harvest Glamour from his dreams, but she doubt they could tamper with his dreams in harmful way as his sleep was peaceful. She found it appropriate to introduce herself to those two: "I should have expected others like me would find way through Hedge to this weird city. I am Mordred of Summer Court, a member of the Legion of the Iron Wall. There is no freehold here, but don't worry about that, I'm familiar enough with the place to show you the ropes" Mordred was somewhat happy she was not the only Changeling in this city and she felt obliged to help those of her kind given the dangers of the city.

"About time you slowed down," Puck huffed as Mordred stopped. He was about to say more, but apparently there were others that caught the armored girl's attention.

"Who're they?" he was going to ask. But the introduction was given rather conveniently.

"I'm David and these two are my siblings. I don't know what you're talking about,but this 'Hedge' sound very interesting. You arrived here through it?" As David moved to greet the stranger The Joyous rose from her position and ignored Mordred and instead looked towards the small creature that floated around the woman. It let out a small giggle before a clawed hand reached out to rip the wings off of what was presumably a fairy as The Scholarly watched the whole exchange with keen interest.

"Oh heeelllll to the naw!" Puck yelped as he started to fly away, "Ya can't touch this, missie!"

While fear drove him to dodge these claws, a sense of foreboding grew in his chest. That woman, she's weird. Like always so happy and just pure. Too much for his tastes, it's unsettling.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider walked over to Sakura as fast as she could, her concern obvious, and helped her back to her feet, making sure to keep a hold of her in order that she would not fall again.

"I'm not sure what Caster is doing. He seems to be taking our unwanted guest somewhere, although I do not know where. Possibly he is showing him the correct way to enter and leave a building, but I am not certain and, honestly, nor do I care. That idiot made it clear that he has no intention of harming you, if Caster insists on punishing his idiocy despite that assurance then he is on his own. Your welfare is far more important than the sanctity of Caster's workshop", she said, still somewhat irritated.

"Now, you should get back to sleep. You are obviously still in need of rest, and Caster seems to have stopped throwing spells around at least", Rider added, smiling despite her annoyance, in an attempt to make Sakura feel better.