[CLOSED] i don't know much about your life beyond these walls

[voidfished]

Who: Lucretia and Magnus
Where: The bathhouse
When: Backdated to during the Shadow event
Rating: PG-PG13 for canon typical violence.
Summary: Lucretia decides she wants to go out and help people. Unfortunately, she's the one who ends up in need of a rescue.
The Story:

[She hadn’t intended on venturing out, this time. After the last event, where nowhere was quite safe, having anywhere where she wasn’t going to be assaulted was a blessing. But the more she heard about others venturing out, making sure people could get to safety, the more she was spurred into action. There was still work she could do here, still things she could change, and plenty who didn’t deserve to be hurt by this place. If she can help, she should, and so she ventured into the higher floors. Her usual robes, much too heavy for this sort of temperature, were tucked away in favor of something sleeveless and much more sleek.

At first, she doesn't notice another person with her, but that melts quickly; she's much too sharp to leave out someone following her, so when she draws, she draws fast, swinging her staff around and meeting--

An identical staff. An identical face, though dressed in her typical uniform at the Bureau.

Lucretia speaks first, putting pressure where their staves meet.]

I don't appreciate this illusion.

Illusion? You should know that it's not. Always were too smart, weren't you?

[The real Lucretia breaks back, a practiced few steps before a barrier springs up between them, but the fake just laughs, something that sends a cold strike right into her heart.]

Oh, putting up those barriers. You do love to hide, don't you? But not more than you like this. Then you like being dangerous.

[Lucretia grits her teeth, holds her back straighter than before.]

I did what I had to, to protect the world, to protect my--

Protect your interests. You wanted to be right. You wanted to be in control. And you got it, didn't you? Got to be the author in your story. Got to use everyone so you could be the star. And you loved it. Getting to be the big, great hero--

[The fake is cut off as Lucretia surges forward, a thunderwave causing a loud, audible boom that separates the two in the hall they're stuck in.]

Shut up. I am not-- this. I am not you.

[The shadow grins, and her smile goes too wide over her face.]

Oh yes, you are. And if you can't accept it, I'll just have to replace you.

[Lucretia grits her teeth and holds her staff tighter as the fake surges forward, and the fight begins.]

Comments

[nodogsonthemoon]

[It's the loud bang that draws his attention. He wasn't a magic user by any stretch of the imagination, but he'd been around Taako and Merle long enough to recognize the feel and sound of a magical attack.]

[If someone was in trouble, he had to go help.]

[Magnus had been walking the halls of the bath house, driving small shadows back as he made his way through with the Chance Lance. What better weapon to use than one blessed by a goddess in a situation like this one? He turns around, abandoning the route he had been previously going on, and rushes toward the sound of the magic.]

Hello? Does someone need help out there?

[He calls out a moment before he turns the corner and sees Lucretia, someone who he has actively been avoiding the last few weeks since their confrontation, and...another Lucretia? Magnus stops in place, looking between the two women, lance still drawn out and ready for use.]

Whoa, I'm seeing double.

[voidfished]

[Both Lucretias pause when Magnus enters, but their reactions differ. The real Lucretia hides the worry by gritting her jaw, keeping her lips in a tight line. The fake, on the other hand, just smiles. Despite the clothing difference, the Shadow is also recognizeable by her glowing yellow eyes. She looks towards Lucretia, cooing her direction.]

Oh, and your cavalry arrives. Always the protectors, and still, you fall to asking for help.

[The real grips her staff tighter, bringing it up straight down her body in a defensive stance.]

I do not require it. He came of his own accord.

[She looks towards Magnus, still trying to keep her composure.]

It's-- just a trick, Magnus. She isn't me.

I am the Shadow. The True self. The regal persona you've made to lie to everyone you love.

[Lucretia grinds her teeth once, keeping her stance.]

It's a trick. Do not believe her lies.

[nodogsonthemoon]

I might be mad at you, Lucretia, but I'm pretty damn sure the real you doesn't have creepy glowing demon eyes.

[He takes up a place next to the real Lucretia, lance still pointing toward the Shadow. He's had a bit of time to simmer down from their last encounter and, yes he's still mad as fuck, he'll keep her safe from...whatever this thing is.]

Did you know about your chaotic evil twin running around here or is this a new development?

[voidfished]

If you're asking if I did this, no. I was trying to cast wards to expand the safe zone on the bottom floor.

[And then, this happened. The fake isn't moving towards her anymore, but Lucretia's weapons have always been her words.]

And why is he mad at you, then? Those were actions we took. This was the path we chose. I am your consequences, Luce.

[The nickname makes her cringe, knowing there's only ever really been one person who calls her that.

The person right now hurt most by her choices.]

I haven't seen any other doubles like this. I'm not sure what she wants, other than to knock me off guard.

[nodogsonthemoon]

[He turns his focus toward the shadow for a moment, casting an annoyed look toward it.]

Hey evil Lucretia, stay out of this will ya? It's really none of your business why I'm pissed off!

[He turns his head back to the real Lucretia and nods.]

So you wanna just attack this thing or what? You got a plan?

[voidfished]

[The Shadow looks almost taken aback for a moment as Magnus addresses the real, and Lucretia follows up quickly.]

Not especially. I imagine it must be some sort of illusion, at which point it would be wisest just to dispel it. But if she has my magical ability, that may be easier said than done.

[This is where the Shadow cuts in again, the cruel smile still across her face.]

Now now, we don't have to fight. You just need to accept that I'm you. It's just that simple. No need to be so stubborn. I'm just the part of you that you'd like to hide. But it's time to admit your flaws, Luce.

[The real Lucretia glares a bit over Magnus' shoulder, but says nothing yet in response.]

[nodogsonthemoon]

She seems like a pretty solid illusion, but I don't know shit about magic so what do I know. All I really need to know is can I hit her? I don't actually know what kinda magic stuff you can do.

[Magnus glares at the shadow, not really appreciating her butting into their conversation. But before Magnus can shoot back at her, he hears a very familiar voice as another figure materializes next to the shadow. A familiar figure in a red robe, face obscured as he begins to speak.]

I think you're wasting your breath, Lucretia. They're both too stubborn to listen to you. Though in Magnus' case he might just be too dumb to understand what's going on.

[As the new shadow finishes talking, he pulls his hood back to reveal the unmistakable face of Magnus.]

[voidfished]

[The Shadow materializes, and it's everything Lucretia has to suppress a scream.

This, here, is the worst thing that could happen to her. Seeing Magnus back in that uniform, his face opposing her, and how much does Magnus know for his mind to create this? She knew they would suspect her eventually, but it was-- it was Magnus. What would he have done, to oppose her?

Her hands shake until she balls them into fists. If this is the true measure of what she took from him, it will only be added to the things she can't forgive herself for. She clenches her jaw, straightens her shoulders, holds herself like an immovable, impenetrable wall. This will not get through to her. It won't.]

He's not stupid. You should know that as well as I.

[Okay, maybe it's getting to her a little. Her Shadow smiles, calmly, in control, and it makes Lucretia's blood boil.]

Oh, he's not. See, he just had a great idea. You're wasting your time. Now will you take yourself as you are, or not?