The walk through the furnace had been silent. Even when treasure was found, Crispin would make a noise of delight while Hecuba stayed entirely silent. Crispin hadn't pushed. He didn't think it was neccessary to force a conversation onto someone who wasn't willing... but that didn't stop him from giving it a shot just once.

It was during a particularly long section of walking, where the lava on each side of the walkway was still, barely bubbling at all and with no beasts in sight. It radiated warmth towards the two coursers, and yet for this particular stretch of stone, it didn't feel overwhelming. The perfect place to camp if it wasn't for the fact that that two coursers could just barely stand next to each other here without falling in. A tense place for some, but for Crispin, it felt like the perfect time to attempt to learn something about the younger courser he was guiding.

"So, Hecuba. What made you want to become a dungeoneer?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Crispin was already smacking himself for them. Really? What made you want to become a dungeoneer? It sounded so uncaring coming from someone like him, like he was a scholar asking a foal what they wanted to be when they grew up. Even so, Crispin found himself in luck as the chimeric courser behind him entertained him with an answer.

"My parents used to be dungeoneers when I was young." Crispin smiled, but it didn't last for long- especially when Hecuba continued her story. "They died trying to reach the fifth floor. Their guildmate came to the house and told me a pack of hounds tore them apart while they were tangled up in rope and chains. They gave me all the treasure that my parents had gathered in order to sell for coin to sustain myself now that I was orphaned."

He frowned. Who would say something so blatantly to a foal? To lose parents was one thing, but to be left to fend for yourself after being told the gruesome reason why your loved ones weren't coming back? Crispin could barely think of it himself. "I'm... sorry to hear, Hecuba." His voice shook as he spoke, trying to be supportive. Hecuba just huffed, even as she nodded. Crispin couldn't tell if that was a motion or approval or discontent.

"Not that bad now. Gave me purpose. Once I got old enough to hear the call of the dungeon, I packed up my things and started diving as soon as possible. I know it's what my parents would've wanted. They were always talking about how I'd be a great dungeoneer one day, that we'd end up seeing the deepest depths of the dungeon together. I want to see the floor of the dungeon that they couldn't reach. " She paused, though she never stopped walking. Her hooves tapping on the stone underneath them as she stared forwards, unblinking.

"I think that's a great goal." Crispin encouraged, turning to smile towards Hecuba, her face still facing directly forwards. His smile faded as they once again went silent. The warmth of the furnace began to become uncomfortable again, and the path was leading to another set of halls and rooms.

They were back to collecting treasure in almost complete silence. The only difference being that Crispin didn't feel the need to get Hecuba to speak again.