It was a miracle they’d convinced Chaitivel to enter the murky, stagnant waters. Of course, the stark white Knight had put up a fuss, practically pleading to find some other way across the water without having to actually step hoof into it. But, well, it hadn’t exactly seemed like there was any other way.

Regardless, it wasn’t particularly long before he’d piped up again. Maybe he found comfort in conversation, or maybe he just liked the sound of his own voice.

“Surely we’ll be through here soon enough, right?” The grimace that tugged at the corner of his mouth as lifted a somewhat dirtied hoof out of the water told just as much as his tone did. “I would just hate to step into something… worse.”

Levi glanced over at Chaitivel, his expression hidden but his posture steady, betraying little of the amusement that tugged at the edges of his thoughts. The knight's reluctance was a stark contrast to Levi's own ease in the dungeon's darker recesses. He had seen countless such places—cavernous, damp, and teeming with unseen threats. This was simply another stretch of the path, no worse than any other.

"I can’t say I’m surprised you’d rather not be wading through this," Levi mused, his voice calm, a low hum that blended with the sounds of water dripping from the ancient stone columns around them. "But you know as well as I do that the dungeon rarely gives us the luxury of choosing our steps. It's all part of the journey."

Levi paused, his gaze sweeping across the black water that lapped at his legs. "As for getting through this soon... well, I wouldn't count on it." His tone was pragmatic, though not without a hint of dry humor. "The dungeon has a way of stretching time, making a moment feel like an eternity—especially when you're uncomfortable. But," he added, a bit more seriously, "it's not the water you should be worried about. Not really."

He let the words hang in the air, a subtle warning, as he continued to move forward with purpose, the torchlight casting eerie shadows that danced along the surface of the water. "Keep your focus on what might be hiding beneath. We’ll be fine as long as we stay sharp.” This was directed at the entirety of their party.

“And remember, Chaitivel," Levi added, glancing back at the knight, "we're in this together. That’s how we’ll get through it—by relying on each other, no matter how murky things get."

He returned his attention to the path ahead, muscles coiled and ready, every sense attuned to the cistern's ominous depths. The dungeon had its dangers, but Levi knew that facing them together, however reluctantly, was far better than facing them alone. They had the strength of four facing what awaited them, they’d have each other to help aid in hopefully getting through safely and unscathed.

“Right!” Pancake chimed in, trudging through the murky waters just behind Levi. He glanced over his shoulder to meet Chaitivel’s gaze,”A team won’t get you out of your hooves getting dirty, but they will help you when you do step in something worse.” the light, bay Courser hummed turning back forward.

“You step into the mouth of a Giant Toad? We’ll pull you out before it digests you. A Phantasmal Hand grabs onto your tail and tries to pull you through a wall? We’ll stomp its ghostly essence out for you!” Pancake listed off… keeping quiet for a moment until another thought dawned on Pancake.

“You know, Levi,” She piped up,” You’re quite eloquent and have a lovely voice. Have you ever thought of writing songs or poems? Or maybe reading books to foals, I’m sure they’d get a kick out of your dramatic retelling of their favorite stories.” She thought aloud, glancing back up towards the columns that loomed over them, the ceiling obscured in shadows.

“Oooh… Chaitivel, would you say the castle you hailed from is as grand as this cistern?” Pancake hadn’t thought of the negative connotations that could come with her question, just that the stone columns to this cistern were pretty impressive! And she wanted to learn more about the Coursers she was traveling with.

“Right, right. Of course.”

Chaitivel lowered his head, allowing himself a dramatic moment to simmer in the bit of embarrassment he felt at being so blatantly called out. Levi was correct however- they were in this together, and Gods was he happy about that. The only way any delve could be made worse for him would be doing it alone. The silence got to him more than the danger did.

Besides! These guys engaged in conversation. His previous traveling companion hadn’t exactly been the talkative type, so the change was something he welcomed happily. His bright gaze flicks from the murky water towards Levi, flashing the other stallion a well-meaning smile. “Well, then at least I’m graced with good allies. Forward, then-”

Pause. Quick, horrified turn towards pancakes.

“A- excuse me, a giant toad? I should certainly hope I don’t step into the mouth of one of those, especially all willy nilly!” The concept of finding himself in an even grosser place seems to stick out to the Knight far more than other scenario posited. “...You wouldn’t think that would happen here. Right?”

Desperate hope that that wouldn’t be in his near future is on his face, but he’s quick to graciously move onto the other subjects at hand. “Our friend here speaks truth! I’m quite sure you’d find great success in reciting poetry or tales of your ventures, if that’s what calls to you.”

Chaitivel pauses again as Pancake addresses him once more with a rather… personal question. He grimaces, casting a glance away. Had he been offended by the inquiry, or was there something deeper?

“It’s… well, this cistern is certainly grand in its own right. It reminds me a bit of there, in some regards.” He clears his throat, taking on a much lighter attitude. “At least the castle wasn’t dirty!”