Ashlynn felt the tranquility of Flamisle's outskirts as she sat chest-deep in a river of bubbling lava, the seering matter pressing against the Tephra woman's nerves. The captain took a deep breath of the atmosphere that was thick with heat and the scent of sulfur, feeling at peace as she was surrounded by several hills that had magma flowing from them. Her vibrant ponytail descended down her back like an obsidian ribbon.
"Mom!"
The voice of a teenage girl was all it took to melt the woman's moment of tranquility.
"Oh, it's you..." Ashlynn smiled upon seeing the young Tephra who was sitting on a rock a few steps away from the river of pure lava, the girl's legs dangling over the boulder as she looked at her mother in awe. "Morning, Calidia."
"Hey, mom..." Calidia blushed as she absent-mindedly fiddled with her black twintails.
"How is my little flame doing?" Ashlynn said as she waded closer to the shore, pushing through the seering matter with ease. "You look great today, Calidia. How's the tunic that I bought for you?"
"It's beautiful. Surprisingly comfortable, too." Calidia looked down as she ran her hand over the interlinking rings of metal that formed the chainmail garment that the girl was wearing, a small layer of hardened volcanic ash beneath the metal and clinging to her like a second skin. "Like it's a part of me..."
"Shall I make us some breakfast, Cali? A sportswoman and a good girl need their meals for the day." Ashlynn crossed her muscular arms as Calidia looked at her mother's very noticeable biceps in awe.
"Sure... but..." Calidia looked down at her dangling legs as she blushed again. "There's something I want to tell you first."
"What is it?" Ashlynn tilted her head in curiosity and slight concern upon hearing the tone in her daugther's voice.
"I... I've been thinking. About getting a job. Part-time..." Calidia fidgeted with her fingers. "Most of my peers at school have gotten a job, but at sixteen, I still have no experience with work... feels like I'm falling back."
"Calidia... there's no rush." Ashlynn stepped out of the lava river, drops of lava dripping from her muscles and thighs with grace. She gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You're still young. You should just follow your heart and enjoy life in the moment without peer pressure. Besides, I earn more than enough with my participation in Eruption to provide for us both."
"I... I am considering it. Maybe I want to earn money for myself. Become independent." Calidia responded, looking up after hesitating for a bit.
"If you truly want to find a job, Cali, I will support you. Make sure that you enjoy it and that you make the most of your youth. I will be there for you." The jacked woman smiled again.
"Thanks, mother. I... I think I just needed to hear that." Calidia replied as she smiled as well.
"Come here..." Ashlynn wrapped her large arms around her daughter's frame, after which she lifted Calidia up while gently petting her daughter's head. Calidia responded with a satisfied chuckle as she was held in her mother's arms. "I'll make us some breakfast."