Seeing Sikeax at Ampere's meeting had slammed into Cera's stomach like nothing else could. How long had it been since he'd met with his friend? Did she even consider him such, after how long he had ignored her, wallowing in the depths of his own misery alone? Cera could not blame her for not trying to help him, it did not even cross his mind to, even though it might have for her. He could blame nobody but himself for how far he'd fallen, scraping his knees on rock bottom until he'd splintered into diamond beneath the Moon Goddess' pressure. Still, he felt his own brand of guilt searing into his soul as he watched her talk and heard her news. How could he have forgotten her? Could she ever forgive him?

Maybe if you asked her yourself you'd know the answer, Ilaria sniffed from where she was flopped lazily over one of the flowering branches of the magnolia tree. Her tail dangled and twitched errantly, big brown eyes staring lazily down at where Cera was staring off at the sandy horizon. The Prince snorted, one hind hoof lifting to kick at the trunk of the tree. Ilaria squawked as it rattled the branch she was on, and a sting of displeasure in Cera's mind was immediate. The Prince couldn't help but grin, stupidly pleased by her irritation. But...she did have a point. So now you listen to me, the panda griped, but it was soothed by the ever-present waves of love that she exuded at all hours. Their bond was incredible close, even for the inherent nature of a companion bond. Cera's thoughts were never alone, not since he'd willfully kept Ilaria from his mind. He had regretted what he'd done, had vowed never to do it again. He was incomplete without her, not as good of a person, and he could find no good reason to even try to maintain his independence from her. 

One wing lifted high, brushing against the underside of the branch Ilaria was resting on. She acquiesced after a moment, rolling down his wing, careful of her claws as she scampered down to his withers. Patted the fishtail braid still remaining in his mane, and settled in for the ride. Cera cantered across the sands, wings unfurling and leaping into the sky without a second of hesitation. He had an inkling of where Sikeax was, even after all this time without speaking to her, and it was not a very long flight especially with such a good wind at his back. She was familiar, easy to spot, the blue at the base of her tail as notable as her horn on the pale backdrop of sand. He circled low, easing down before her, smile warm with only a tinge of hesitancy. What if she hated him?

"Hello, Sia."