((From here. ))

It didn't take them long to reach the library, not when they were practically running for their lives. Still, he made sure not to let go of Leon, and it would have been an understatement to say he was relieved they'd made it without being separated.

In honest truth, he wouldn't have insisted on keeping such a tight hold on him if it weren't for the fact Leon had taken his hand first. It might have seemed like a childish thing to other people, but Claude didn't look down on his friend in the slightest. Really, who could blame people for wanting a little reassurance in a place like this? He certainly couldn't. It almost made him a little envious, being able to reach out for other people so freely.

But now that they'd made it safely into the library, Claude figured it was all right to let Leon go for the moment. His other hand drifted to where Ashton's sword rested at his side, ready to use it if necessary.

"Coast seems clear so far," he whispered suddenly, careful not to make too much noise. "We should probably stick close together. Were there any kinds of books you wanted to check out?"

((From here. ))

His companions had chosen precisely the right thing to comment about. Adelheid had used his spear when fighting that monstrosity of a thunder-bird, and it had proven a tremendous downfall. Considering that he'd been forced to spend quite a few days trying to find healers to repair the damage... yes, that was still fresh in Adelheid's mind. But in this case, he hoped, the literally burned hand would learn best.

Of course, he hoped equally that his companions weren't getting too upset. Something was going on here, though; none of them had seemed upset at hearing about such a creature, which meant that they were used to something of that nature... and their comments had held just the hint of an edge, something Adelheid knew only too well, and it irked him. He was a Bernstein and a warrior, they should be listening to his advice!

Ah well. He'd done what he could, and so long as he was still drawing breath, he'd make sure that if they did do something stupid, he'd cover for them at least once. "Quite the contrary," he muttered as he walked along, "if I were at full strength- as it goes in this place- I'm confident in my ability to defeat it. One bolt at a time, when I know where they're coming from, isn't much." Adelheid knew now that he could reflect the attacks... but that first time, it had been a desperate fight for survival against something that had caught him off-guard. Now that he knew better, he was confident in his ability to survive again. Victory, however, was another matter entirely.

[[from here]]

The door to the next room unbarred easily, and Celes looked over her shoulder at the men, briefly. Assessing them, as it were. On the patio, she heard nothing, not the sound of patients inside, the scrabble of the giant roaches or even the sound of breath echoing in the room. Shining her beam into the room, Celes stepped inside, looking around.

"It's empty," she whispered. The kitchen looked to be just ahead, though the door was locked when she tried it. "Locked."