Venturing deeper, Lucia bites back the anxiety that blooms in her chest. This was around the depth of the cave in, around the depth of disaster. Darkness rising up on all sides, coaxing her onward. She could do this. She had to do this, if only to prove she still could. Deeper. Darker. Each step more delicate than the last, begging her vision to adjust. The oil in her lamp was a finite resource, and she wasn't willing to expend it if she could get by without. Something about conserving what she had, and making the best use of it. Right. Lucia would keep telling herself that she's not scared of the dark.

Can't be scared. Can't balk at it. One hoof in front of the other, the last dregs of light fading away. Willing her heartbeat to remain normal, willing herself to stay focused. Rely on your experience, rely on the things you *know* to be true. Taking a moment in a dark alcove to squeeze her eyes shut, she waits. Safety on three sides, nothing could sneak up on her. Relative safety in the marble maw. Focus on your other senses. A draft in the direction she was already traveling caught her attention. It carried a musty smell, there's something creating that dampness.

A sound catches her attention, eyes springing open. It's still mostly dark, even after giving herself a chance to adjust. Something like skittering paws echoed against the stony floor. Pulse quickening once more, in a way she can't bite back. A hot panic running down her spine, spiderwebbing through her chest. Tail flicking anxiously, Lucia tried to convince herself it was just a rodent. Desperately reached into herself, holding tight to any logic or reason. There were plenty of mice and rats down here, even the wayward chipmunk. All she needed to do was cool her head.

Whatever it was, the creature was coming closer. The scent that accompanied it was foreign.

Nope.

Nope, nope, nope.

Scrambling for her lantern, her matches, fumbling to strike one and get the lantern lit. Head spinning with it... not brave enough to go in near-complete darkness like this. The little lamp springs to life. Warm glow bathing the immediate area, Lucia can't find whatever belonged to the skittering. At least she had light, now. It would shorten her dive today, needing the crutch this early. Better than turning back entirely, or getting herself hurt down here. Tomorrow was another day, and maybe she'd be braver then.