Jasper Chamomile Sitcom stared at the glowing floor beneath her hooves, eyes widening as magma began to ooze and bubble from the cracks.

Beside her, Phoebe the bright-eyed scout was already analyzing the scene, her gaze darting between the pools of molten rock with practiced calm but a sense of urgency. "We need to move. Now." “The floor is literally lava. Of course,” she muttered, her usual cocky grin faltering as the heat rose. “Perfect way to start a Friday and I didn’t even get to profit.”

Jasper replied, hopping from one patch of solid ground to the next, her usually smooth moves feeling more like a desperate dance to avoid a fiery demise.

Phoebe, always a step ahead, found a path with her typical unflappable demeanor. “Follow me, there's a ledge over here!” she called out, her voice steady as she navigated the danger. As expected from an experienced scout Jasper thought to herself. Jaspe, a little less graceful but no less determined, leapt after her.

"Well, if we make it out of here, remind me to buy you a drink.” she shouted over the bubbling magma. Phoebe smiled, barely distracted, her focus sharp as ever.

"It's all about finding the right route, Jasper." Jasper couldn’t help but chuckle, hopping to the next rock and feeling the rush of danger heat her blood, or maybe something else.

 Phoebe shot her a quick, amused glance. “I'll hold you to that."

‘Ah.’ Jasper thought to herself. Maybe the situation was getting to her. But for a split second, she wanted to extend this moment, the moment she heard the sweet words accompanied by the golden smile of the Courser besides her.

With a final leap, Phoebe landed on the last tile. But oblivious of the troubled mind behind her. The heat was getting to Jasper. And as she was about to leap the magma bubble’s burst out, some of it spitting into her skin. Jasper let out a groan and her body faltered to the ground. And that was enough for it all to get to her. The heat was unbearable, her vision started to faze and smudge, wavering. She wouldn’t make it. She couldn’t see ahead, and she was too fearful to move a single muscle let alone to get over the other side. The final jump... it felt like a world away. “I—uh—hold on,” Jasper stammered, her usual bravado cracking as she hesitated on her current foothold, her legs trembling. Maybe she never had any bravado in the first place. It was all a sham. To get her to where she needed to go.

“Jasper!" Phoebe was at her side in an instant, her steady body pulling Jasper up with surprising strength for her slim frame. A sense of calm, a moment, came back to her. Phoebe knelt down, her face suddenly close to Jasper’s, eyes full of concern but also firm. “You’re okay. Focus on me, not the heat.” And with a joined final leap they landed on the narrow ledge, both of them safe for the moment.

Jasper flicked her tail, still catching her breath. She tried to laugh, but it came out weak, strained. “Looks like... looks like I’m not so good with... hot situations, huh?” The scare was gone and Phoebe’s presence served much to calm her usual anxiety state. She felt a little shaky. Phoebe brushed herself a little against Jasper, most likely noticing the flicker. She was surprised to see this vulnerable side of Jasper. She just wanted to continue moving forward, she didn’t want any more second spent on what just happened.

“Alright, Bright Eyes. You lead the way, and I’ll handle all the charm.”

Phoebe laughed softly, eyes scanning the next stretch of dungeon and then quickly flittering at Jasper’s eyes. "Deal. Just try not to charm the lava next time." And with a flick of her tail she galloped ahead. Her back provided a comfort Jasper was surprised to find herself depending on.

“Yeah,” she muttered to herself, faintly, barely audible. “Maybe I won’t charm the lava.” Hidden meaning lingered behind her words. But the horse ahead couldn’t hear it, not that it mattered, she wanted to let it out anyway for the dungeon to hear anyway.