“That’s one large serpent, eh?” Bob blurted out. The shape hissed something he did not quite understand. “Ah, my apologies. We won’t disturb you any further.”

Sharing a look with Phoebe, the two Coursers quickly left the room. Thankfully, the massive serpent was not looking for a meal. Still, Phoebe took the both of them down the winding stairs, down and down until the lava rolled and bent in normal ways. Not the dangerous coiling ones.

“Thank you. For being here. Showing me this. I know I’d said I’d stay away and then I came running here. You didn’t have to help but you did, and you offered to keep helping and, well,” Bob Moss sighed. “I wanted to see everything this floor has to offer before I go home.”

“Where is your home, anyway?” The mare asked, skipping over hot stones with ease. Bob followed, a little more slowly. “You never said.”

“Surface, a farm. I live alone and like it that way.” Bob hesitated. “Just- don’t worry about me, alright?”

“Alright.” Phoebe bumped his side. “Let’s keep going.”