[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/WZyxkRP.png[/img]     [img]https://i.imgur.com/Ykr0chB.png[/img] [/center]
[right]Interactions: Everyone, in a way 
[code]The Cozy Bakery[/code][/right][hr]
Loni’s gaze towards Elena as she described her plan could only be described as desperate. Fear pushed through the magic caused apathy. If she went out, she might get hurt- this stranger who’d already protected her daughter. Now she was going out to get something to help [i]her[/i]. Loni wanted to tell her it wasn’t necessary. She was fine. She couldn’t even feel the wound on her shoulder! It barely hurt! Even if that only came from her losing touch with her body as she slipped away from her Green side…  

But she couldn’t. She needed the help so she could keep protecting them. If the bleeding was slowed she’d stay conscious until she could get to a healer… 

“[i]Nooooo![/i]” It was Luciana that protested the most, not understanding why she was being left. The warmth and safety was gone, her wails piercing through the cafe as fat tears streamed down her cheeks. She crawled towards Loni, chubby hands grasping her thighs as she awkwardly tried to pull herself up. 

[color=ff7360]"I’m sorry, baby, ’m so sorry,"[/color] Loni whispered, barrier wavering again as she pulled Luciana up onto her lap. The little girl waved her arms to get up higher- to be held close in her mama’s arms where it should be safe. But Loni couldn’t hold her like that. Not with her shoulder, and keeping the barrier up. She could only gently press her head down and into her stomach. [color=ff7360]"It’s ok, it’ll be ok."[/color]

But she wasn’t sure if she believed it, watching Elena reach the sugar. She looked over to the man who’d been actively fighting the creature. He asked for help before disappearing.

She could help now the creature was injured. But could she help, and keep the protective circle up? It would be a push normally… she had to. It didn’t matter. She couldn’t just sit here until her magic failed and it came and killed her. She wouldn’t let it get Luciana. It didn’t matter how hurt she got. She just had to hope Elena would get back and slow the bleeding before she pushed herself too far. 

Loni didn’t say that she could help. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Instead, she just [i]did[/i]. 

Her eyes went completely black and emotionless. The barrier remained as stable as it had been, even as its casting was moved to the background. Threads of black mist came off her fingers as they carefully pointed towards the Doppelganger. That same faint black mist began to appear around it. [i]Weakening[/i] it. She started to press against it with her Black Lux, actively suppressing it.

The barrier flickered, before solidifying. She put everything into casting. The world around her grew distant, as if there was a layer of film between her and it. She didn’t feel anything. She visibly paled, strain clear in her grimace and shaking body. Her chest heaved up and down as if she was running a marathon. She’d never weakened something this strong. She only could because Elijah had already hurt it so badly… but it wasn’t rebounding. She was doing it, no matter how difficult it was.

She didn’t let up - and she wouldn’t, until it was dead.
[hr][center][h1]The Doppelganger[/h1][/center]
[right]Interactions: Elijah [@Theyra], Quill [@PatientBean], Elena [@Qia]
[code]The Cozy Bakery[/code][/right][hr]
“[i]Did you really think that would work a second time?[/i]”

The Doppelganger’s sinister voice whispered as Elijah turned visible- and it disappeared into the shadows before the spear hit it. Its voice seemed to come from everywhere. It was like it was right beside Elijah’s ear, but also on the opposite side of the room. The Blinds that had been frozen in confusion turned towards him, coming for him once again with unsteady steps.

But there was a tell now where it was even as it slipped through the shadows. A trail of blood across the floor from where Elijah had stabbed it. It led towards the counter.

“How surprising. Impressive, honestly.” the Doppelganger whispered from behind Quill. Before she had a chance to turn around it was gone again, eerie laughter echoing around the room. It seemed to be taunting them all… or was it buying itself time? “I’ll leave you till last, for giving me such a good show. Thank you. Don’t try to run.”

It reappeared for just a moment, slitting the throat of one of the women that Quill had knocked out with sharp, unnatural claws. But only one. Then it disappeared again.

More dripping blood, from behind the counter to around it. The Doppelganger reappeared in front of Elena- in between her and the circle. Its smile widened until sharp teeth took up all of its face, which twisted around and up to stare at her. It was mocking- telling her she’d made a terrible mistake by stepping outside of the protective barrier. It would be so easy for it to kill her- then, the rest. 

“What a [i]sweet[/i] gesture,” the Doppelganger taunted. Sharp claws raised up- and then it froze. A pained look crossed its unnatural eyes and the wound in its arm seemed to widen. It could feel its strength reducing, even as it fought against it.

It tried to slip back into the shadows but found it couldn’t. The hit from the spear had badly hurt it, and now [i]this[/i]. Its unnerving smile didn’t shift. Its swipe towards Elena continued- but all of its movements were sluggish. It was slower, easier to avoid… and easier to hit.