It had taken seasons, a trial he struggled with at various times, but at last he was beginning to emerge from that period of change and growth. He had fought the image he faced in his reflection, watched as it warped and shifted as he clawed his way from the depths of his past into something better. It had taken a complete shift of his world for him to be knocked free of the earth, to sincerely realize that he had fallen from grace somewhere along the line. So he had started with himself, had found the remaining bits of him he still knew like a familiar friend, and began the process of renewal. With the matter of his father taking up leadership in the Hidden Falls settled, he had finally been freed, basking in the light of his Lord and feeling more right than he had in the past year. Four pendants clicked gently together where they lay in various places upon his body, generally in multiples, warming his skin where Amani's magic had been drawn in by one of the amulets. At last, he had found the real Cera that lay beneath all the ruination he had suffered through.

It was a freeing sensation.

Today, he is alone in the endless blue skies above, his Lord at the mantle during the highest part of the day. The warmth along his spine calms him, as if it is a tangible touch that gently smooths away the worries of his day. Heat had been his saving grace since he was born, after all. And the crazy irony of Cera's life was that, somehow, he had replaced Midas as the stallion had been seen in Cera's memories. Now it was he who patrolled, who spoke with the citizens. And in the end, he had taken a young filly beneath his wing, just as Midas had done for him all those seasons past. It seemed even as his own person, he would reflect Midas in many ways. Cera could not feel upset at this awareness.

It is the shape that catches his eye first, and he mentally prods at Ilaria where she is resting comfortably between his wings, a warm spot upon his back. Restlessly she awakens, grumpy and growling pathetically in her sleepy state, only for her vision to merge with Cera's and gaze down upon the dark form standing motionless upon the sand. Frowning to himself, not needing to remind Ilaria to hold on to his mane, Cera curled his wings and let his altitude drop. Just as he was a voice rang out, his name carved out in every syllable, and shock battled out with joy and worry as the name was immediately placed.

"Baby sis?" he breathed in surprise, words meant only for himself and his companion. Now he folds in tight, lithe body an arrow that curves and levels as he drops, legs extending to catch him as he falls to the sands. It is hardly jarring anymore, and in moments he is loping across the clay to meet Ranjiri head on. A smile cannot hide the crinkled lines of worry upon his brow. Was something wrong to have brought her here to his home? Slowing, he panted softly and extended his muzzle in greeting to his baby sister, eyes warm.

"Hello, baby sister." Momentarily he allows this to transpire, to let the love roll off him in waves, the relief that she is unharmed as his eyes scan her flesh. He does not see the babe beneath her wing, too focused on her eyes, trying to find the reasoning for her arrival in those endless carmine pools. "Is everything alright? What can I do for you?" Ilaria meanwhile has wound her way down his foreleg, laying upon the sand below his belly as she basks in the shade his body casts. It truly is scorching, and the clouds in the distance are ominous with the threat of yet another spring monsoon, one that loved to torment the open expanses of the Throat.

Cera sighs softly, eyes warm and gentle, and smiles. He feels so much better, as if the Sun's light had been placed inside of him, and he was glowing. "It is good to see you again, baby sister. I have missed you terribly."