Lindis quietly watched the rain fall outside. It wasn't often that they stayed in during the rain, but the group had fought a really powerful FOE yesterday, and they all agreed that they needed to take a break today.
Ricky pattered over and sat next to him, also looking out the window. "It's really pouring out there..."
Lindis nodded. "Mmm. Good thing we stayed in today."
The two glanced over to the table, where the other three were looking over their maps of the 23rd floor. Rosa was in the kitchen making lunch, and they weren't sure where Austin and Kupala were.
Arthur sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Sheesh...that floor is too dang complicated!"
Simon frowned. "But we need to find a safe path, no matter how complicated it may be." Lindis grunted in agreement, making Arthur pout and turn away. The girls chuckled at it, and Lindis lightly smiled...but he noticed that Simon seemed to have no reaction towards it other then a small, irritated sigh.
He's always serious...does he ever actually laugh?
His thought was interrupted when Rosa came in to bring in lunch. It was simple, just some cooked sandwiches and fruit salad, but the group was hungry after working so hard, so even something simple was fine with them.
Raquna curiously looked up at the maid. "Hey, do you know where the other two went?"
Rosa shook her head. "I believe Austin went to get materials for his experiments, but I am not aware of Kupala's location."
Lindis sighed. "Maybe she went to go visit the labyrinth or something...I know she does that sometimes."
A bit of time passed...then a strange smell entered the room.
Everyone winced and became almost silent, anticipating the next thing to come...
*BOOM*
There it was.
Simon sighed. "Arthur, go check up on him."
"Why me?!"
"Because I feel like asking you."
The alchemist turned to Lindis with a pleading look in his eyes, but the highlander simply nodded and waved for him to move along. The boy grumbled before getting up and going to check on the detective.
More time passed...
*BOOOOM*
"JEEZ, CAN YOU STOP EXPERIMENTING FOR HALF A SECOND?!"
The rest got up and ran towards Austin's room...to see Arthur with his entire front body (mainly his face) covered in soot. Austin sighed. "It's your fault for surprising me and coming in here without warning, kid."
Raquna giggled and walked over. "He has a point, Arthur. But yknow..." She then pat him on the head. "You look kinda cool like this."
"Oi! I do NOT! It's embarrassing!"
Ricky and Lindis walked over as well, while Simon stayed near the doorway, looking...puzzled, almost.
The gunner snickered. "You do look kinda cool. Like some sorta masked hero or something."
That changed Arthur's attitude. "You think so?" The alchemist struck a pose, making the three (and Austin) laugh.
Raquna then sneakily grinned. "But..." She then put the alchemist in a headlock. "Do you got the skills to back it up?!"
Arthur screeched and began trashing in her grip, though he still was grinning. "H-Hey! Let me go!"
"...snrk..."
They then paused and looked to the doorway. Simon had his hand over his mouth, but that didn't do much to suppress the small chuckle that was coming from him.
"...hah...heh heh...ha ha!"
He lost it. The medic was cracking up, tears coming from his eyes from laughing so hard.
The group stared for a bit before getting, once again, caught up in the moment. Soon, everyone in the room was laughing about this.
When Lindis had calmed down somewhat, he smiled, remembering his earlier thoughts.
Looks like he does find time to let go and laugh after all.