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

[Kat]

Petra

Yes, somebody should have picked a phone because she fucking called it. While people here didn't seem to be belligerent, she was sure they were not human either. And the magical energy filling whole establishment only confirmed her suspicions about the supernatural nature of the place. "Why I shouldn't be surprised that we got dragged to weird place..." Though Trussardi's restaurant was probably more bizarre, the instincts told her.

[Elf]

Corbin

"It's so we can keep our skills honed and improved so we can fight the forces of evil and what not," Corbin said to Mordred, "Also if someone has a special skill or mastery, they can use the place as a teaching ground to help improve our fighting skills.  Like I teach savate on occasion while I learned some Krav Magra stuff from the guy who recruited me.  God bless his soul."

He looked at Kuro and grinned, "It's not that impressive, Little Bit."


Forest

Forest smiled and sent, I wouldn't want them gone either.  If they were, I wouldn't have my godson.

Then he said in a mild voice, "I do believe, that it is I who has been left in your care."

"Well, then I have to make sure I take good care of you then," Forest replied with a somewhat nervous smile, having fun despite herself. 

Oh, I can think of many a way how to take care of you, Forest thought to herself as the very appealing mental images joined it.


Gabriel

"Well," Gabriel said, "I know you survived something horrific and came out stronger for it and you heal others."

He tilted his head, grinned impishly, and asked, "What's you favorite food?"

[Thedoctor]

Kuro

"If you say so." The white haired girl said, her excitement dying down a bit. Corbin apparently knew martial arts and it looked like they thought each other different styles there, it might still be interesting to watch.

After they all agreed to go, they followed Corbin to where the gym was supposed to be. "Hmm...Are you sure they would actually let me in?" Kuro suddenly asked Corbin.

[Cherry Lover]

Rider

Because you're Sakura, Rider thought immediately as she heard the question, asked in a very familiar voice.

Rider knew, of course, that it wasn't really true. This girl wasn't actually Sakura. True, she looked and sounded almost identical, and there were far too many similarities for it to be a pure co-incidence. But, where Sakura's training had involved being raped by her grandfather's worm familiars, the only "worm" involved in Oka's training was a cute, fluffy thing that she obviously loved dearly. Her childhood may not necessarily have been perfect, but it was certainly far, far better than Sakura's had been.

Yet, despite the fundamental differences, right now, Oka was frightened, sad and lonely, and Rider couldn't help but feel immense sympathy for her. She knew she wasn't Sakura, but she looked and sounded like Sakura and, right now, she was frightened and lost. She needed someone to help look after and comfort her, and Rider knew she wouldn't forgive herself if she left the poor girl alone.

Of course, she knew she couldn't tell the girl this. "You look like my master" was not a very good reason for protecting and looking after someone. But, ultimately, it was a bit more than that. It wasn't just that she looked like Sakura, she acted like Sakura too. Or, at least, like Sakura might have if she'd been able to have a normal childhood. And, just like Sakura, she seemed to be a sweet and loving girl who Rider would be happy to be friends with.

Still, Rider was unsure how to respond. How best could she explain herself without sounding weird or creepy, and scaring the girl away? She pondered her response for a while, waiting to ensure that the two people who had been annoying Oka were not returning, before turning to the girl with a gentle smile on your face.

"Because you seem like someone I would like to get to know better, and you were frightened. I have the strength to protect you, so why should I leave you feeling unsafe?" she said.

It sounded corny, almost like something Shirou might say, but Rider really couldn't think of any better way to explain it. She wanted the girl to be safe, and she wanted to make friends with her, and she couldn't do that if the girl was too frightened to speak.

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling felt a faint shadow of that old memory start to pervade on the current mood for all of a moment before she put it aside. Taking a moment to gather herself, Emily instead turned her thoughts towards...her favorite...food...

To her own disappointment, the redhead realized she'd never actually tried figuring out her favorite food before. Pizza was definitely up there, but there were still things above it. Even so, the realization was still something of a shock to Emily. After all, what kind of Spring Courtier didn't know their own favorites in...most things, at least? This was a dilemma she'd expected those mopey shysters of the Winter Court to face, of all people.

"...Well, it's a bit of a tie at the moment," Emily said after a long few moments, part of her annoyed with how indecisive that sounded, "Mostly between steak, sushi, noodles, and ribs. Though, admittedly, ramen will forever hold a special place in my heart from my time in med school."

[Elf]

Gabriel

Gabriel tilted his head at Emily's moment of indecision and . . . maybe disappointment that flickered in her eyes.  He listed to her answer and chuckled as she praised ramen.

"Have you ever had real ramen?  Not that packaged nonsense, but real ramen?  It is sort of amazingly delicious, especially if you can get an egg with it or on it.  I have no idea why the combination is so enticing, but it is," Gabriel said with a smile.

"I am fond of sweets.  Especially baked goods, and it is the one culinary skill I do have."

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling's eyebrows shot up at that, curiosity piquing at the thought.

"Hmm, I'll have to try that later, then," Emily mused, eyes lighting up a little at the mention of his cooking, "Though I wouldn't mind testing that culinary skill of yours."

With that, the redhead allowed a chuckle, "Well, amongst other things, but all in good time."

[Elf]

Gabriel

Gabriel smiled and said, "Admittedly, cooking is better when you have someone to share it with.  However what other things did you want to test?"

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling felt her face reddening in spite of herself, taking a sip of the Scotch Sour to try to hide it.

"Oh, you know," Emily mused, leaning forward before finding herself pausing for a moment as she tried to find a way to word it, "Well, your cooking ought to be pleasing, but I'm sure that's not the only way you know to please someone."

[Elf]

Gabriel

The Shadow smiled at Emily's blush and said, "You have a very charming blush you know."

He took another drink and eyed her.  "I know a great and many things about pleasing someone.  I also know how to terribly vex someone as well."

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling couldn't help a slight pout at that.

"Well, you've made an apt demonstration of the latter," Emily admitted, "So how about backing up your other claim as well?"

[Elf]

Gabriel

Gabriel's smile grew at her pout; it was really charming.  He also found himself wanting to nip that bottom lip of hers ever so slightly.

"You putting up with the latter makes me want to reward you with the former," Gabriel said with a chuckle.  "What's interesting is I've given you all the signs of being more than fine with taking our time, but you're fine with speeding along the proceedings.  Which I find somewhat fascinating."

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling shrugged at that, leaning back in her chair.

"I mean, we've gotten to know each other, and neither of us seems to have a particular problem with the other," Emily noted, "And I don't think either of us will object to what's going to happen, so is there a reason to delay further?"

[Elf]

Gabriel

He smiled at Emily's words and said, "Well then, should we be on our way then?"

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling smirked, taking hold of her drink and downing the rest of it in one go, allowing a content sigh as the warm burn trickled down her throat.

"Of course," Emily said, leaning forward, "Do you have somewhere in particular in mind?"