Cross Effects 3.0 - June 23, 2016—April 02, 2018

[Panda]

Emily

"Entirely," Emily replied with a smirk. Whatever she might have said next, however, was cut off with a yelp as Gabe lifted her up off the bed in a bridal carry, the Changeling grabbing onto him on reflex.

"Well, I doubt you're disappointed with the result," the Changeling noted with a slight blush, pouting a little as she was carried into the bathroom.

[Elf]

Gabriel

The Shadow smiled and said, "Well, I have to tease.  It's in my inherent nature."

He opened the bathroom door and was pleased to see one of those absurdly large whirlpool tubs.  He carefully sat Emily down on the side as he got the water running.  While he worked, he still whistled that off-key tune.

[SINIB]

Rin

Rin leaned into the embrace and eyed Sakura with a sardonically amused look.

She answered, "Well, I doubt it was Emiya-kun.  The only thing he finds truly beautiful other than you are swords.  So I'd have to say Faust."

Sakura Matou

"Mhmm, he had a fine appriciation of the arts. I've got all sorts of rare pieces in his collection. It's one of the advantages of being in the Nexus." She said.

"Will you stay with me, in my house, Nee-san?" Sakura asked with a serious face. "I can't bear the idea of losing you again, due to my own negligence at that."

[Elf]

Rin

"Will you stay with me, in my house, Nee-san?" Sakura asked with a serious face. "I can't bear the idea of losing you again, due to my own negligence at that."

Rin bit her lip at this question.  Part of her wanted to balk at the answer.  She needed her own space and to go out and do her own things.  Not to mention seeing Sakura and Shirou together all the time . . .together all the time and with Archer being here . . .

However, part of her did want to spend time with Sakura.

She sighed and said, "I have to think about it.  I mean, I'm obviously staying for now, but . . . in the future I might need my own place."

[SINIB]

Sakura Matou

Sakura made an understanding noise, and thought about alternatives. "What about—hmm—what about if I had the guest house redone into a real place? Would that work for you? That way you could, you know, have your own workshop, and stuff."

[Elf]

Rin

Rin blinked at Sakura's suggestion and tapped her chin.

"You know, that might actually work," she said in a soft voice.  She looked Sakura square in the eye, her aquamarines locking with Sakura's violet eyes.  "I will say this though, I will have to live my own life.  I do want to be close to you, but I need something of my own here at least."

[SINIB]

Rin

Rin blinked at Sakura's suggestion and tapped her chin.

"You know, that might actually work," she said in a soft voice.  She looked Sakura square in the eye, her aquamarines locking with Sakura's violet eyes.  "I will say this though, I will have to live my own life.  I do want to be close to you, but I need something of my own here at least."

Sakura Matou

Sakura looked at Rin with disbelief. Huh? She thought to herself. She couldn't believe her sister, that she'd... Why would she...

"Why would I want you not to have your own life, Nee-san?" She asked quietly, unblinking. "Of course you'll want to have your own life, why did you think I would ever suggest anything else?" Sakura asked, feeling hurt from Rin's insinuation. "I thought you'd know that..."

[Elf]

Rin

Rin bit her lip, toyed with the ribbon, and then looked down at it.

She answered, "You . . . you have all of these people who you're literally the center of their world.  They're happy to be a part of your life and nothing else.  Like Rider for example.  Your needs and wants will always be above hers to her.  Then you have Emiya and . . ."

I didn't want to become just the latest edition to your collection of people.

[SINIB]

Rin

Rin bit her lip, toyed with the ribbon, and then looked down at it.

She answered, "You . . . you have all of these people who you're literally the center of their world.  They're happy to be a part of your life and nothing else.  Like Rider for example.  Your needs and wants will always be above hers to her.  Then you have Emiya and . . ."

I didn't want to become just the latest edition to your collection of people.

Sakura Matou

"Rider's a weirdo, I'll admit that. She doesn't seem to care much else than for my safety and reading. But Shirou lives for more than just me!" She insisted. "He's going to be a hero, like he always wanted to be!" She looked down. "I want him to follow his own dreams..." She said. "Just like I want you to follow yours."

[Panda]

Emily

Emily's eyebrows briefly shot up at the sight of the large whirlpool tub. Honestly, she hadn't known they were made this big, and she'd never had the pleasure of enjoying a bath in one herself. Taking a moment to balance herself as Gabe got the water running, Emily couldn't help a little smile at the sound of Gabe trying to recall the song at the jazz club, even if he was quite out of tune.

While part of the Changeling wanted to say something, there wasn't really much to say at this point that hadn't already been said, and the whistling was nice even if it was out of tune. With that in mind, the Changeling simply sat there, enjoying the sound and watching him work.

[Elf]

Rin

Rin smiled at that and stroked Sakura's hair.  "I'm sorry I doubted you, Sakura," Rin said.

She started to play with the ribbon again.  "Follow my dreams, huna?" she mused in a soft voice before shaking her head.  Cracking and building the Jeweled Blade was one of them.  Having a family of her own was secretly another.  She wanted the sort of love that Sakura and Shirou had, but highly doubted she'd ever find it for herself.


Gabriel

Gabriel got the tub working and jets started blowing sweet scented bubble filled water everywhere.  He smiled with pride and said, "Eureka, I think I have it."

Then he held out his hand to Emily and asked, "Shall we?"

[Panda]

Emily

The Changeling's eyes widened as Gabe finally got the tub working, sweet-scented bubble-filled water promptly starting to fill the tub up. Taking a moment to take a deep breath of the scents, Emily took Gabriel's hand with a smile.

"Of course," she said simply, "This should be fun."

[SINIB]

Rin

Rin smiled at that and stroked Sakura's hair.  "I'm sorry I doubted you, Sakura," Rin said.

She started to play with the ribbon again.  "Follow my dreams, huna?" she mused in a soft voice before shaking her head.  Cracking and building the Jeweled Blade was one of them.  Having a family of her own was secretly another.  She wanted the sort of love that Sakura and Shirou had, but highly doubted she'd ever find it for herself.

Sakura Matou

Sakura put her hand on Rin's shoulder, and smiled. "Don't worry, you'll find it. I'm sure of it."

[Elf]

Gabriel

"It should be highly enjoyable," he said with a smile that made his eyes gleam.  Then he stepped into the tub and winced.  "I believe I made the water a tad warm.  If it's too hot let me know and I can cool it down."


Rin

Rin tilted her head, sighed, and shrugged.  "Maybe, maybe not," Rin replied.

[SINIB]

Gabriel

"It should be highly enjoyable," he said with a smile that made his eyes gleam.  Then he stepped into the tub and winced.  "I believe I made the water a tad warm.  If it's too hot let me know and I can cool it down."


Rin

Rin tilted her head, sighed, and shrugged.  "Maybe, maybe not," Rin replied.

Sakura Matou

"No, I'm sure you will. No doubt about it. You're attractive, smart, funny, and have a good heart. You'll find yourself someone worth marrying, or I'll eat my socks."