Cross Effects 3.0 - October 21, 2015—June 23, 2016

[SINIB]

Noel

Noel frowned at her invincible assault failing. Her burnt sword broke into its constituent parts in a blinding flash, her swords reappearing behind her, no worse for the wear. Countless white balls of light came out of the sun, seemingly at the command of a man standing beneath it. So it’s his fault!

However, before she could react, a blue haired woman appeared in front of her, seemingly out of nowhere, ready to intercept the attacks. Noel didn’t want her to be hurt. She didn’t know her motives, but she didn’t want to see anyone getting hurt. So she called upon her ars magus, to create an immense and powerful blue barrier, powering herself with the power of the True Azure. It pulsed in front of her, ready to intercept the attack and stand strong.

And she floated behind it, panting softly.

[SINIB]

Oka

Well uh, thanks for telling me absolutely nothing, flatty. That was really helpful. For real.

“Um, ok, thanks. Where in the world is the Nexus.” SHe asked, continuing to pet her good friend. She better not try anything funny to Wormy, or she’ll be sorry. Maybe she’s part of Team Rocket? She better not be!

[SINIB]

Rachel Alucard

Rachel shook her head. “There is no hierarchical city called the Nexus, that’s correct. So obviously, this isn’t a hierarchical city. Try to think before you speak, please. I just appeared in here one day, same as you. I’m not actually sure why you appeared, Ragna. But if you want to see Noel, I’d be happy to send you to her. The poor girl seems to enjoy your presence, even though you’re an insufferable simpleton.” Redirecting the conversation right back on track.

[The Man With All The Cute Boats]

Rachel Alucard

Rachel shook her head. “There is no hierarchical city called the Nexus, that’s correct. So obviously, this isn’t a hierarchical city. Try to think before you speak, please. I just appeared in here one day, same as you. I’m not actually sure why you appeared, Ragna. But if you want to see Noel, I’d be happy to send you to her. The poor girl seems to enjoy your presence, even though you’re an insufferable simpleton.” Redirecting the conversation right back on track.

He couldn't help but grumble.

"Really not going to let me go, are you?" He mumbled into his hand as he scratched his head. He let out a sigh as he stopped and looked at his right hand for a moment, before using both it and his left to pop his collar. "Well, all right, time to go see Noel. Lead the way, bunny leech."

At least, he reasoned, he wasn't off to see Jin.

[Kaze]

EMIYA SHIROU

Suddenly the woman was standing in front of him, and he raised his head to meet her gaze. The look on her face… he didn’t have any way to describe it, but god was it enticing. Heat rose in his cheeks, much to his chagrin. Every nerve was all too aware when she stroked the edge of his jaw with one finger, and suddenly he could feel magic flowing through him. The freelance magus nearly recoiled before realizing that the spell was benign - in fact, he was starting to feel a lot better.

Shirou straigtened his back and shoulders and leveled the woman with a cool gaze, trying to will away his stubborn blush. It was foolish of him to have been taken off guard by her, even if she really did mean well.

“I am Emiya Shirou,” he said evenly despite his accent, relieved that he hadn’t stumbled over the English words this time. He had embarassed himself enough already. “How can I help you?”

[Kotomine_Rin]

Sakagami Kenzo

Uh?

Kenzo looked up in utter shock. He was alive! In one piece! Hurrah! But why didn't he feel all cheery all of a sudden? Well, at least he got the memo. He was still suuuper suspicious of the weird purple yokai, but Fore had a point. She didn't seem to be out to harm them. In fact, she smelled a bit different...

Perhaps she was more like him than he thought.

Without seeming to care, or perhaps trying to hide that he did, the oni got back up with his forehead oozing with blood, red dripping on his face like a stream or a waterfall. Smiling, he gave a friendly tap on the girl's shoulder and spoke as if nothing happened.

"Well, Nexus city is in the nexus, duh. That's where you are. Maybe. I dunno. As for specifics, you're in the middle of the spirit forest in the Yokai district. More precisely, right in front of my hot springs."

Then, he gave her a toothy grin. A toothy grin that came off more as terrifying than friendly due to the fact it was a shining white moon over a sea of blood.

"Need something pal?"

[Elf]

Forest

Well uh, thanks for telling me absolutely nothing, flatty. That was really helpful. For real.

I'm not flat, just small . . . at least they don't get in the way when I have to fight. Bugger it all.

“Um, ok, thanks. Where in the world is the Nexus.” She asked, continuing to pet her good friend. She better not try anything funny to Wormy, or she’ll be sorry. Maybe she’s part of Team Rocket? She better not be!

"Well, Nexus city is in the nexus, duh. That's where you are. Maybe. I dunno. As for specifics, you're in the middle of the spirit forest in the Yokai district. More precisely, right in front of my hot springs."

Forest looked over at Kenzo as he rose to his admittedly impressive height and saw that his forehead was dripping blood.  Her fangs started to throb and ache at the sweet, coppery scent of it.  Being in prolonged contact with that ghastly light didn't help her control.  That ache was still there from that damnable faker day, and she knew that Kenzo's blood would help soothe it.  She shook it off and reined in her control.

Then, Kenzo gave the new girl a toothy grin, which wasn't exactly reassuring considering his face was covered in blood.

"Need something pal?" he asked the newcomer.

Forest winched at Kenzo's face and said, "Kenzo, you're bleeding again."  Then she turned to the girl, gave her a wan smile and said, "The Nexus is a place that's sort of a world between worlds.  Which sounds like complete and utter crazy talk."

[SINIB]

Oka

Oka wanted to throw her arms in the air and proclaim that everyone here was totally crazy. She really, really, wanted to. But she didn't. Instead, she walked away slowly from the insane duo. "Yeah, I see, thanks for helping me, I'll be on my way now."

[Elf]

Forest

The blond winched, sighed, and called out, "It means this is a world between worlds where things and people get sucked in and have to make due here.  Supernatural exists here."

Sod it all.  Leave her be and she might just get a good case of dead, Forest thought before running towards the girl at full speed and darting in front of her.  For once, I hope I don't roll a 1.

"Let me guess, you were heading somewhere and found yourself wandering around here?" Forest asked, raising her hands in the universal "I am peaceful" gesture. 

[SINIB]

Wormy

Wormy acted fast, flying in between the not-alive and Oka. It buzzed angrily and loudly, trying to intimidate the monster by heating up greatly, hot enough that the snow around it began to melt quickly.

Oka

This time, Oka didn’t tell Wormy off. She trusted Wormy, and knew he only had the best in mind for her. However, she stopped stepping back, feeling safe enough with her beloved friend protecting her, imposing himself between her and flatty. But just in case, she grabbed a second pokeball and stealthily readied it, ready to protect herself and her pokemon from potential danger.

She didn’t like this. She didn’t like this one bit. That man was scary. Large. And totally insane. This woman seemed to be less dangerous, but she seemed to be equally crazy. They both were speaking crazy talk. She’d really chosen a good place to land, hadn’t she? Right in the fucking insane asylum!

“Yes. I did just find myself here. That’s why I asked you where I am.” She said in a calculated manner.

[Elf]

Forest

Forest jumped back as the cute creature pet thing flew between it's master and her.  She could feel it's heat and noticed the snow around it was melting.  Well, just great, Forest thought before she muttered, "Bloody hell . . ."

“Yes. I did just find myself here. That’s why I asked you where I am," the girl replied in a slow voice.

Forest sighed, her shoulders slumping, and she said, "And I bloody answered that this was the Nexus.  I can prove it to you, just . . . promise not to freak out.  I promise I will not hurt you and your pet, but please promise you'll give me the same courtesy."

She sent to Kenzo, I think I've got this.  Just don't make any sudden moves.  She thinks we've both got bats missing from our belfry.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Sakagami Kenzo

Kenzo frowned at the whole thing. Well, not really. More at the pet part. He wasn’t a pet, why would she call him a pet? He clearly wasn’t a pet. Pets are like playful doggies or cute kitties or birdy birdies or-

Kenzo sulked for a second before shaking his head. Now was not the time to think about that. He didn’t think she’d know. At the very least, he thought the act was pretty convincing. By all means the form he had should be human like all the other humans, and he liked it better that way. Unless she considered humans to be her pets, but that was unlikely. Humans are humans, they aren’t pets! Everyone knows that.

Kenzo turned to Fore and smiled. “It’s fine, tis just a flesh wound.” He said with a cheerful tone. Then, he walked up to the little fuzzy wormy thingy and knelt before it, his hand hesitantly approaching the cute little pal.

“D’aaaaw, he’s so cute! Can I pet it?” He asked with an absent tone before petting him anyways.

[SINIB]

Wormy

Wormy chittered in warning at the strange man, warning him not to get close, not to pet him. As he moved closer, Wormy redoubled his efforts, vibrating even more angrily. The fool however, ignored all his warnings. This man was dangerous, and was willing to put Oka in danger! She was clearly scared of him.

This was not to be allowed.

Wormy instantly maximized his temperature, as the remaining slush around him instantly evaporated and the blazing heat was sweltering, smothering, deadly. Hotter than the hottest summer's day as Oka lept back just before he did, aware of what Wormy was going to do.

This should teach the man I mean business. Wormy thought.

[Kotomine_Rin]

Sakagami Kenzo

“Aaaaaah!!” Kenzo yelped at the huge burst of heat. Wincing, he immediately removed his hand and jumped back.

He looked at his hand and gazed on the scorched red swollen tissue. For a moment, his eyes turned to the creature, and pierced it with something his eyes did not quite have normally. However, that look quickly gave in to annoyance. It hurt, but it wasn't that bad.

Sighing, he shook his hand around a bit before laying his hand on some cool snow. Quickly his frown turned into a battlehungry grin. Little bugger that one was, rough player too! He liked him already. They’d get along juuuust fine.

Then, he turned to the yokai lady and gave her a curious look.

“Anyhow, how did ya get here? Don't tell me ya walked up the way here trough the forest by yourself.” He said calmly, completely oblivious to his burnt hand.

[Panda]

Adjutor

The teen felt an almost palpable relief as Urzara's focus switched from him to the man, apparently one Emiya Shirou. The look she gave the man as she moved closer drew some amusement from the teen at the clear blush that was making itself known on his face, knowing all too well the effect that Ur could have on people. Watching with some curiosity as Ur applied some rudimentary healing magic, the teen couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sudden burst of clear, if a bit accented, English.

Oh, so now he can speak clearly.

Is that a note of jealousy I hear?

Wha- No. What the hell do I have to be jealous about?

That is actually a very good question. Perhaps you're just a glutton for attention?

If I was, you'd know by now. I'm not jealous, dammit!

Okay, you can keep telling yourself that.

Resisting the urge to shake the errant thought clear from his head, Adjutor instead let the seal on his eyes drop, looking back over at Emiya.

That aside, he's not really in much shape to be helping people. His conduits are still shot for one thing.

Says the one who just got back from having his spine sliced open.

...I can heal, but fair point nonetheless.

Resisting the urge to voice his concerns, Adjutor simply waited where he was, not entirely sure of what he could do at the moment.