Night 73: Patient Library

[redcladidealist]

[From here.]

The library was quiet and dark when Lloyd entered, barring the light from their flashlights. Lloyd let the light from his flashlight play across the books, the floor, even the ceiling for good measure. He hadn't forgotten the monster that had seemed to slither out of the darkness just a couple of nights ago.

"You guys see anything?" He kept his voice soft, barely above a whisper. If there was something in here, he didn't want to attract its attention. Not that they'd be able to avoid it once they opened that secret door, but hopefully they'd be able to get out before anything blocked their path.

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[envy_the_sinners]

[From here]

Now, for the next potential obstacle he already knew of. Lust hadn't been there for Alphonse's incident, but he had informed her well enough that they were all on the same page. How ever they decided to remove the book from the shelf, they needed to do it carefully.

Scar made his way toward the back wall where he knew the book was located, already unwrapping his shawl to cover his hands.

[armoredsoul]

Al followed behind him, still keeping an eye out for anything that might jump them here. He wasn't about to volunteer to risk the hallucinations again, but if Scar succumbed to them they didn't need any other distractions.

[fullmetalheart]

Ed swept the beam of his flashlight from side to side, keeping an eye out for any monsters, occasionally looking up for anything that might be on top of the bookcases.

[a_sin_for_him]

Lust frowned when she noted Scar already moving to protect his hands. As though he was going to remove the book.

She moved to his side and laid a hand on his lower arm, as though preventing him.

"I thought we discussed this, Scar." If anyone was going to risk hallucinations, she was most likely to be able to handle the effects.

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar said nothing for a moment, watching her out of the corner of his eye before holding the cloth out for her to take.

"Don't touch it directly," he muttered as if this had been his intention the entire time. It had been, partially. He knew that there was far too much to risk, should he experience the ill effects that had stricken Alphonse two nights ago.

[armoredsoul]

Al glanced between Lust and Scar, confused, but didn't say anything. Though he really hoped Lust wouldn't succumb to the hallucinations--even weakened, she was a tougher fight than Scar could ever put up.

[fullmetalheart]

Ed eyed the both of them warily and braced himself for the possibility of whichever one actually touching the book needing to be taken down. He did not look forwards to the prospect of having to stop either of them and privately hoped that the time with Al was an anomaly.

[a_sin_for_him]

"I have extra protection." Lust raised an eyebrow and held her hand out, palm up and fingers held in a claw. She extended her talons slowly, indicating for Scar to drape the cloth over them. Between the fabric and the fact she wasn't touching the book with her skin, she felt she'd be protected from the effects.

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar did as Lust indicated, setting the cloth over her hand and backing off quickly. He frowned. He didn't trust her claws. Not here. They were far too unpredictable.

[a_sin_for_him]

Well, this was it she supposed.

Once the protective cloth was draped over her claws, Lust wasted no time in turning her attentions to the book. Any thinking or further consideration would only hinder any advancement they hoped to make tonight.

Only the tips of her claws came in contact with anything but air and she snapped her wrist to tumble the book from its place. God willing, that would be enough to open the passage and allow her to avoid any unpleasant side effects.

And should she fall to any hallucinations, she hoped her male companions had the good sense to simply leave her behind rather than attempting to take her out or help.

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar stood silently with his jaw clenched as Lust pulled the book from the shelf. The door scraped open as it had before, revealing the brightly lit moving stairway beyond it.

"The effects seemed to be immediate." He glanced to Lust, not willing to move forward until he was certain that nobody was going to suddenly be gutted in the back.

Though, given the nature of Al's visions, he couldn't help but be nervously curious as to what could happen.

[armoredsoul]

Al watched Lust as she took the book, watching her for any sign of reaction. After a few moments he relaxed and nodded to Scar. "Yeah, it came on pretty quick."

[fullmetalheart]

"Maybe what happened last time was because of someone or something that came through before we did," Ed suggested as he watched impatiently, wanting to get moving.

[a_sin_for_him]

"I'm fine."

Lust shrugged. She didn't feel anything, and she certainly wasn't seeing any hallucinations. She stepped aside to allow Scar to resume leading, knowing he'd prefer it that way anyhow.

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar hesitated for another brief moment before nodding and continuing through the hidden door.

"Leave the cloth behind," he murmured as an afterthought. If it was somehow contaminated, he didn't want their carefulness to go to waste.

[To here]