Cross Effects 3.0 - April 13, 2015—June 23, 2016

[Elf]

Saber

"Part of being a responsible adult is learning when to rein in your temper," Saber said, continuing to carry Lancelot to a Mordred-less place.


Rin

"If you keep saying that I'm going to pinch you," Rin said, putting her hands on her hips.  "Come on, we need to look for an engagement ring."


Forest

"Oh, people to keep a look out for it and to tell us once they locate it.  It doesn't hurt to have a set of extra eyes," Forest explained.

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura sighed. “You’re right. The jeweler is over this way.” She said to Rin. “Let’s go, Vanguard can do whatever the hell he’s doing on his own.”

[Elf]

Rin

"He's probably building his harem.  Geeze, that blond girl's chest is absurd," Rin said with a shake of her head.

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura nodded, clearly unwilling to talk further about the topic. She led them in an awkward silence to the jewelry store. As they walked in, she finally spoke up softly.

“I’m a bit excited, I’ve never been here before...” She could see it was as massive as the rest of the store, ridiculously so. “How do they...how do they keep this place open?” Sakura wondered aloud.

[Elf]

Rin

Rin made clicking sound and said, "They probably have extravagant prices."

However, her fingers started to twitch as she looked around.

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura followed Rin around the store expectantly, anxiously looking over her shoulder. She wanted to speak but Rin looked really really into this and it was kind of cute, Sakura didn’t want to break that concentration.

[YOLF]

Noel

As Saber and Mordred’s vocal altercation approached a crescendo, Noel began to haul away Henry. She didn’t want to be near this. She was sure he didn’t want to either.

“Tell me if anything hurts, okay?” She said when they got a reasonable distance away.

Tar

The detective allowed Noel to help him away with a nod, leaning on her for support. His arm didn't feel fractured anymore, but it still hurt even if he concealed it behind the perfect mask of Henry's tough grimace.

And right now, he really didn't want to deal with the misfortunate conglomeration that was ensuing. Mordred, really? It was nothing if not dangerously coincidental, but that they weren't even on the same page - were they actually related, or was this a cruel quantum prank? - only made things worse.

Sighing, he closed that line of reasoning with an absent thought that Nexus City had a way to make people sweat for who they really were. Magic sword, superhuman, alias, superman friend called Lancelot, and now a lookalike called Mordred? If he didn't know before, he definitely knew who Saber was now.

Tar wondered if he'd have to deal with the same brand of bullshit out of nowhere someday.

[Elf]

Rin

Rin was heavy in thought as she looked at various gems.  If this is an engagement ring, she'll need something sturdy she can wear every day.  However, she needs something that represents both her and Emiya-kun.

She looked over at Sakura, knowing that the girl liked flowers and her favorite color was pink.  Something the color of bubble gum, impossibly pink and bright, caught Rin's eye.  It caught the light and sent it dazzling in thousand directions like hundreds of tiny rainbows.  It was a cushion cut, a size to be noticeable but not obstantanious.  The white metal that it was set in gleamed and there were two, small, round, deep blue stones like spots of midnight on each side.

She pointed and said, "There.  That one!"

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura jumped out of her shared reverie with Rin, half in surprise and half in joy. She saw the clerk look up at their little display and give them a questioning glare, but Sakura didn’t care. It was perfect. Just totally what she’d wanted. She knew asking Rin for help was the right idea!

“I-I love it.” Sakura finally said with a contented sigh. It’s perfect.

[Elf]

Rin

"It looks like pink zircon and blue sapphires.  See how the stone refracts the light? Tourmaline, spinel, and sapphire aren't able to do that," Rin explained, "And the metal looks like platinum, which is sturdier than gold."

The shopkeeper, who's nose seemed like it was permanently in the air, strode over to them and opened the glass case.  She said, "You have a good eye, young lady, you're absolutely right on all accounts."

Rin nudged Sakura and said, "Try it on, see if we need to get it sized."

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura hesitantly took hold of it and shakily put it on her finger. She wasn’t sure if it was a dream still. It felt like a dream, but, she hoped, in real life. It slid onto her finger perfectly, just the right size for her, as if it had been made for her.

She looked at the shopkeeper and spoke simply. “I’ll take it. How much will it cost me?"

[Elf]

Rin

Rin smiled as the ring fit perfectly, however a sickening feeling built up in her stomach as Sakura asked her question.

"Young lady, this isn't some piece of costume jewelry.  This ring is $10,000.00."

Rin groaned at the price, afraid of when this was going to come to play and looked at Sakura.

[SINIB]

Sakura

“That’s fine.” Sakura said definitively and without a shred of hesitation. “Would you like a check?” Sakura asked, rummaging through her purse.

[Elf]

Rin

The clerk said, "We would prefer a credit card.  A check that large could have a tendency to bounce."

Rin looked at Sakura and said, "She is right.  A lot of places in the United States have stopped taking checks."

[SINIB]

Sakura

Sakura nodded once more in assent. “That’s fine.” She handed him her card and followed him to the desk. “It should work.” She said slightly nervously, looking over at Rin.