Astera had encouraged him to try and work without her there. The idea of going down into the dungeons alone was a terrifying one, but he'd done it... well, once... Admittedly, he ran back shortly after, absolutely petrified at the idea of what else he may find down there in the dark. He still wasn't sure what compelled him to go down into the dungeons in the first place but it was difficult for him to ignore the call. Perhaps he hoped he'd find the answer to that question somewhere down there... And if he wanted to do that, he'd have to find the courage to go on the adventures. The silvery and amethyst mare he'd come to know as a close companion had promised him they'd adventure again someday, but she and he needed to learn to stand on their own four hooves as well. Spuds often frowned at how correct she was.

So, he tried taking her advice, but in his own way. Hiring Crispin to come with him had been a blessing. The alabaster Courser's demeanor was a balm. Spuds often felt lulled into a contagious bravery just being in proximity of the veteran diver, and therefore never strayed far from his side. Whereas Spuds' thin mane needn't be pulled back and his packs were pedestrian, Crispin's packs were finely crafted, even armored in areas, and his mane had been plaited along his nape to let his skin breath in the intense heat. Steel shoes clacked against the stone with every step the guild horse took, whereas Spuds' were muffled and delicate in comparison with a lack of shodding. Against the purple, magenta, and orange landscape the two equine were brilliant white beacons despite their contrasting quality of equipment.

"Have you ever been down here?" Crispin inquired, perhaps to break the silence. Spuds lifted his head and looked towards the senior Courser, chocolate eyes glazed with a bit of awe. He'd been admiring Crispin's nature, completely unphased by the literal magmar bubbling below them, and the caverns aglow with fire around them.

"Huh?" He muttered at first, his brain still comprehending the question posed. "Oh, no, I haven't yet. This is my first time."

Crispin hummed in response, still leading them along one of the walls winding through the caverns. Stallactites and stalagmites caged them away from the molten rock, and while it may appear like a cage Spuds found himself grateful for the natural barrier. If he tripped, all he had to worry about was an eye. They turn around a gnarled section of stone and saw it. A giant face. Spuds immediately freezes at the sight of the bruning red eyes while Crispin glides to a halt beside him. Anger etches lines across the humanoid face, waving hair reminiscent of flames undulate back from the carving's brow. A screaming mouth is agape, and within its maw is a passage. Darkness envelopes the decline, and Spuds isn't lost to the implication of being swallowed by rage.

Its unclear how long they stare at the passage, but finally Crispin shatters the stillness. His crimson eyes glance towards the trembling tobiano and his face is softened with an understanding smile. "What's the plan?"

Spuds' head snaps to the gray, eyes wide with crescents of white. "What?"

"What's the plan?"

"You want me to decide?"

"I'm here as support, not to make your decisions." There is a gentleness to the delivery that cannot hide the instruction. Crispin wasn't going to make the choice for Spuds, and that left the chestnut tobiano shuddering. Spuds stared at the angry visage and found himself compelled to look away. Flashing images in his head of angry humans cripple his thought process and his breath quickens. He forces a lump down his throat to try and stave the tremors, but between the intensity of the heat beating at his back, the sweat slipping along his skin, and the fear of what may lay beyond he is incapable of rationale.

"Hey, it's okay," Crispin breaks through the shackles of fear that had bound Spuds. "If you want to turn and go another way, just say so."

Spuds glanced again towards Crispin and nodded his head, the movement shallow but perceivable.