Celeste was trying. Vidarr had requested help and she wouldn't refuse. He was looking to expand to the crypt that lay at the foot of the mountain. She saw why, but also didn't at the same time. Not that she would dwell on it now. Instead, she would wait to do that with the group. The Konungr wanted to know all the pros and cons of this place so going there to check it out was the most logical decision. As much as she didn't want to go inside, she would if needed. Approaching the crypt, the petite woman stops and turns to the group. "Before we go in, anyone notice anything particularly good or bad about this place?" She asks, her aquamarine gaze moving from each wolf before going back to the intimidating and shadowy doorway that led down into the depths of the earth.

To be honest, Víðarr felt a bit like that one meme when it came to this place. At the entrance of the crypt, he held his head high, already peering around the corner. Right, this wasn't his mission to lead. It felt like it might help draw Celeste out of her (he suspected Cyanide-induced)(wow that sounds a lot worse than it is) funk. Asking her to take this task on was also such a help to him, and Víðarr was certain to show it.

But also, damn he was excited about this place. "Look, look at how easy it is to defend." He proclaimed with a triumphant wag of his tail. If they had sick or vulnerable members of the pack, or extremely valuable resources, they could be stocked away in an area that was perhaps the most well defended place of all. It was the safest anyone could be, deep in the heart of viking territory. In Víðarr's mind, it's perfect.

"Víðarr"

Auðr padded after their brother and the dappled woman. Where their brother had picked up half the wolves within the pack they did not know but had no qualms about it as of yet, Víðarr had always been the face of the group, by their estimation Víðarr had gotten all the charisma in the family, but that didn't mean they always thought his choices were wise. Nothing worth worrying over yet though. Aside from Víðarr himself at least. The woman turned a question on the group and of course Víðarr was quick to jump in, clearly enthusiastic about the place. "Hard to defend anything when you get so lost you are never seen again." Their comment wasn't exactly... Polite but Auðr had never felt the need to soften their criticisms for their family. That was their role here, to be the one to naysay. "Speech" 'Monologue.'

Vidarr was looking to expand, and Pandora had decided that it was a good time as any to integrate herself more into the pack. She followed them to the Crypt at the base of the Maw. As they neared it, she listened quietly as she studied the entrance, listening to what Celeste asked as they stopped at its entrance. Vidarr appeared enthusiastic about the prospect of claiming this place, much more so than the two women. She sighed as she moved forward, stepping into the Crypt as the whispers began. A small smirk lifted the corner of her lips as she looked around. "Easy to defend. Better to protect those more vulnerable. A few torches, to light the way and line the paths...and for warmth." Sure, it might be easy for one to get lost if they didn't know the Crypt and its passages well enough, but there was a plethora of solutions to prevent that from happening. "Speak"

Celeste looks to Vidarr with a raised brow. Did he really think he needed to convince her of anything? In her mind, and her funk, whatever Vidarr wanted or said would be good enough for her. Which is why she had gladly taken the group down to the crypt. Well and with the convincing that she needed to get out more, but they weren't here to talk about that. Instead, she nods softly at Vidarr and his happily wagging tail. "Oh, yes, who would dare come look for us down there?" She spits back at him with a cheeky smirk before turning her attention to his sibling, Audr. "I know of someone who lives in a similar place. We can send someone to get advice about the best way to navigate maze-like territories," Celeste was of course speaking of Hattori, the Kaicho of Tojo-Kai. She knew nothing of his relationship with Vidarr, only that Hattori was Kuroki's father and had been nothing but polite with her. Then she looks to Pandora who also chimes in. Celeste lets out an agreeing hum and a nod of her head. "Well, let's go take a look and see if we're right," she turns and begins to head down the stone steps further into the crypt. Already a waft of cold air rushes up to meet her as she has to dip and dodge out of the way of cobwebs and creepy crawlies. As she reaches the bottom and comes to a small open room with multiple pathways, she turns back to the ground. "So, this room is closest to the entrance. What could we use this space for?" Celeste asks as she gives them time to explore and take a look.

He grinned easily at Celeste, tail flickering at his haunches. There's something exciting about this, about doing things together with his pack. The viking king was at least trying to look... maybe not manic, in his excitement. He examines the outside for a moment longer, sighing as Auðr may have a point about being unable to find their way around. Still, maybe Pandora was on to something. "Torches, and we could set up braziers in living spaces for warmth." He makes a mental note of that, in the spring they could either build them or trade for them.

"Tenshi lived in a maze for a bit too, she may have some insight." Víðarr beams when he speaks of his wife, he can't help it. A glimmer in his eyes, one that takes over his whole expression. Why should he conceal those feelings, anyway? The viking king was a man just like any other. As they entered the crypt, the scent of must and of old washes over him. Maybe... maybe he'd do something about that, once they were moved in. Oops.

As they took in the space, Víðarr slowly walked the perimeter of the room. "I pictured the first room being used to organize the rest." He explained, carefully walking the dusty floors. They'd need to do something about making the whole thing livable, but it had good bones. Did the others see it? He could hope. "Track inventory, make maps, and provide a buffer to the outside world." Keep the rest of the world guessing, especially as to exactly what was within the crypt. Spooky, right?

"Víðarr"

Auðr couldn't help the tiny smile as they watched their brother bring up his wife. They were glad he seemed happy with her, even if he knew little enough about the woman. For another time. The others had brought up good points but something was still just sticking in Auðr's craw. Even they could see a location under the mountain would provide some safety and stability but there were still other problems. They didn't have an issue with their brother's suggestion for the first room instead they simply stood and listened. The scent of damp and decay were strong here. Stepping further into the room Auðr trailed one of the fresher scents of death, as it lead towards a branching opening. They frowned. "Might be a good idea to include emergency supplies here in the event we must flee the surface." They added dryly. "Som sagt," they continued, "I would worry about spreading ourselves too thin down here. Who knows how many paths there actually are for predators or trespassers to find a way in. And this could just as easily become a tomb in the event of natural disasters. From my understanding they are not unheard of in these lands." The tusked yearling had spoken of the volcano erupting some many years ago, who's to say quakes weren't also a possibility? "Speech" 'Monologue.'

She gazed around the room and slowly shuffled a little further in, drawing in the musty scent of a place older than her. A place as old as time itself, even. Ears twitched as the others spoke, nodding to concerns and ideas. This place could be of good use whichever way it was put. Security. Sanctuary. To hide from the outside world if needed. It had secrecy to it, and if they took the time to explore its paths and whatever else lay within, only they would know the best routes, and they'd potentially be able to fortify it for protection against opposing threats. "The center, once we have finished moving things in and organizing it how we like, could serve as a communal place. Perhaps a training ground. Fortified safety against enemy threats. A workspace. Grounds for visitors and the like where they can be watched...there are plenty of possibilities." She breathed in a deep sigh. "Perhaps even memorial grounds for those that have passed." Cryptic of her to say, perhaps, considering her age. "But regardless of what this place is used for, once we learn the passages, we'll have the advantage regardless." "Speak"

Celeste listens, nodding softly, thoughtfully as each one says their pieces. Organization, emergency supplies, training and guest rooms. These were all sufficient ideas. Vidarr seemed pleased with conversation. She was still unsure. The mountain was a good place to live if one were careful. Why had he not wanted to expand to the nearby mineshafts? Was there something down here that he knew of and others didn’t?

Walking around the cobweb infested room, Celeste snuffles at the stone. It’s cool surfaces is stable and would allow any heat to retain itself once a fire was lit. They could definitely sustain a community down here if they needed or wanted. “We would need to search for any and all weaknesses. Tunnels that may collapse, predator entries and exits. I don’t think it would be safe for anyone to live or be here alone until we know it is safe for them,” she turns a serious gaze toward Vidarr.

Unfortunately, the mineshafts had more complications when it came to layouts and potential for cave ins. While he'd considered it, the viking king had thoughts of children close on his mind. The Crypt, while not foolproof, was a better solution. Auddy's thought about natural disasters... that's something Víðarr hadn't considered, beyond snow. The volcano. With Celeste's thoughts about potential weaknesses, he gives a nod as well. "I will take a volunteers and we can go room by room looking, and put up lighting while we go." He posits a solution, looking to the faces gathered before him.

Pandora's thoughts about the space bring him comfort as well. A kind eyed nod to the woman as she speaks. He can picture each space coming to life within the crypt-- comforting rather than macabre. "Before anyone lives here, it will be safe." His tone drops, voice serious. Spoken like an oath, the viking king's nod is solemn. It's his word.

"Víðarr"

As the others converse more about this place, she takes her time in checking more of it out. This would have been a great place for her to set up an infirmary...perhaps even a place she could more easily commune with the spirits. Though it wasn't much now, it would be soon...and the sudden thought that she might not be around much longer to see it come to fruition saddened her, but she'd keep that to herself. She tuned into the words of the others, ear flicking to acknowledge she was still listening. Yes, safety was a priority. One thing that concerned her was the fact they were so close to the volcano...but surely it wouldn't erupt for another century if not longer, no? That could be her hope, anyway. Not that she'd be around whenever it did decide to blow up again. "All good ideas...it must be safe for them," She said almost absentmindedly. Safe for the pack...the children...she could suddenly feel herself growing tired, her mind wandering. She was old, after all. Perhaps it was time for a nap? "Whatever is decided...it will be glorious for you," She says, smiling softly before she shuffled toward the entrance. "Excuse me, Vidarr. I am...tired...I think I will return to my quarters for a nap." With that, she dipped her head to them in farewell, and quietly ventured back to her den. -exit for nap time- "Speak"

In truth their worry was for termors more than anything and the possibility of a cave in but Auðr wouldn't keep pushing the matter as of right now. They supposed it would also depend on what changes to the area they made, if reinforcing it was even possible and more than anything else they trusted their brother when he spoke, taking his tone and understanding it. The older woman seemed to also accept his words and Auðr tried not to show they'd picked up on that phrasing, their brows furrowing only slightly. "I trust you will do what is best." They offered, moving towards their brother and giving him a small private smile. "When it is time I will share ideas for keeping the roof from falling down on us hmm?" A little hint of humour and their acceptance of their brother's choice, spoken in the common tongue only for the benefit of the woman still with them. "Speech" 'Monologue.'