[hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/WZyxkRP.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ykr0chB.png[/img] [/center]
[right]Interactions: Elena [@Qia], ‘James’ [@NoriWasHere]
[code]The Cozy Bakery[/code][/right][hr]
The man didn't apologise. 

It wasn't a man at all. 

[color=ff7360]"[i]S-stay away.[/i]"[/color]

Loni’s eyes widened in horror as its neck contorted and fingers elongated. Her arms tightened around Luciana, holding her close against her chest. Even though Luciana couldn’t see the creature, she could hear it. Her cries grew more frightened and her little body trembled. She was quieter - much quieter.

That told Loni just how scared she was. 

Loni’s heart thudded in her chest as every breath she took felt ice cold. What did she do? What could she do? What even was it? It was going to kill all of them. She had to get them out-

The lights went out. The door locked. 

No, there was no escape. [color=ff7360]Shit, shit, no calm down. Stay calm. For her.[/color] She had to find out what it was.

For a brief moment Loni's eyes darkened, completely devoid of any emotion. The monster lit up like a bright white star in her vision. An Apparition. That... That meant she could defend against it. She could weaken it- but it seemed strong. She wasn't like Vin, she couldn't fight them like that. But she had to protect her daughter. 

She needed salt. If she had salt she could keep them safe for hours - the circle of black lux was strong enough to repel all but the strongest Apparitions. It was the only thing she could do. She had to do that. What else could she do? But she didn’t have salt! Why didn’t she carry it around with her?! Wait, there must be some in the back.

The creature moved again. It was behind the counter. She’d have to get closer to it. Her breath caught in her throat, and she looked down at her daughter trembling in her arms. It felt like her fast beating heart stalled for a moment. She couldn’t. She had to.

Loni turned to Elena.

[color=ff7360]"P-p-please hold her for me,"[/color] Loni managed to whisper, even though it was clear she was terrified. She carefully detached her daughter from her even as she struggled, practically shoving her at Elena. Her hands shook, then her whole body when she didn’t have to suppress to not scare Luciana. She didn't want to do this, but she couldn't put her baby in more danger and she... Had to get past that thing to get in the back. If she went past with Luciana it might try to hurt her. She couldn't let it hurt her. [color=ff7360]"I c-can shield a-against it, but I g-gotta get salt. Keep her safe- away from it."[/color]

"[i]Mammaaaa, noooo! Nooooo![/i]" Luciana sobbed, chubby hands reaching out and grasping for Loni even as she pulled away. 

[color=ff7360]"I'm sorry, Mijita, Mamá's gotta keep you safe."[/color] 

Of course, Luciana didn't understand - because to her there was a terrifying monster and now her mom wasn't holding her anymore. It hurt Loni more than anything to let her go. She was terrified to not have Luciana there cradled in her arms, and she hated seeing her little girl in pain... But she had to. She had to try keep her safe. Right now she couldn't do anything. 

She needed salt to create the protective circle. She needed to get into the back.

Ignoring the all consuming panic, Loni spun around and went for the counter. Her hands shook even as her steps were sure. [color=ff7360]I have to, I have to, I have to.[/color] This was the only way, she had to keep Luciana safe, nothing else mattered, but how did she get-

The Doppelganger went for Elijah. Loni used this moment to run - behind the counter, and then pushing through the door into the back. [color=ff7360]Salt, salt, salt, where the fuck would salt be kept?![/color] Loni had spent some time helping cook and clean in the Sin Sisters kitchens when she was too pregnant to dance, but this place wasn’t laid out the same at all! Of course it wasn’t, it was a fucking bakery- what did she do. Where was it- [color=ff7360]Oh, salt! Grab it quick.[/color]

Every second without her daughter felt like a knife digging deeper into her chest. Icy fear clutched her. What if it got her? No, no, she would be protected. She just had to get back. With the salt. Make a shield and everything would be fine. It would be fine.

She grabbed the large container of salt, easily picking it up and holding it against her chest like it was her child. It was her child’s protection… [color=ff7360]Mamá's coming, Luciana.[/color]

Loni pushed back through from the back room into the main cafe, going to run for her daughter with little care of what was in her way.