A warm smile greeted him as he went rocketing off down the sand. The discomfort on his brother's face was disconcerting but it seemed to flee the moment his name was uttered. It felt nice to forget, to simply bask in the joy he always felt around Hototo. The scar on his chest didn't feel as heavy, and he nearly forgot it completely. Ilaria was overjoyed to see her bonded in such a state, warming up quickly to the other colt if only because he made her precious Cera happy. Of course Cera wasn't surprised when Hototo asked where Midas was, turning towards the treeline with his mouth beginning to form words to explain. It was not necessary for his father appeared moments after, Hototo crying out a greeting to him. Cera beamed at his father, relishing in the freedom he was experiencing. Perhaps this trip really was for the best. All inhibitions were cast away as he went running off towards the water, boundless energy the driving force behind his heels. Hototo's cry made him squeal with laughter as he launched himself through the water in a spray of white and blue. Emerald irises sparkling with encouragement as Hototo got used to the water and eventually started playing on his own. Though it seemed neither of them expected to be splashed by Midas, Cera giving off a surprised yelp that bubbled into a laugh. Hototo kicked water up at him and Ilaria curled up between his wings uncomfortably. Cera laughed and reared up to box his legs out at Hototo playfully, landing and swiping his wing through the water to splash his father and the other colt at the same time.

The arrival of the filly surprised him and his eyes went to her horn, immediately clamming up. Sidling over to stand by Hototo uncomfortably, though he knew the girl meant no harm. Swallowing hard to himself as she started playing with them, he smiled at her. "Hi! I'm Cera!" Even if he introduced himself kindly, he stuck right next to Hototo the entire time, more comfortable with the other colt than anyone else in the crowd aside Midas. The movement in the water went unnoticed by him, though Ilaria was more than aware and tugged anxiously at his mane. Distracted, he didn't focus fast enough to realize what she was making such a fuss about. When Midas bellowed at them to move, only then did he fear. Panicking once his eyes caught sight of the shape beneath the water, and by his father's tone, Cera whinnied and pushed Hototo towards shore quickly. Stumbling after him, though instinct told him to flee without the other colt. Once he stood on shore he hung his wings around him like a barrier, wet and useless from their play, large green eyes staring at the creature that surfaced with a crash. Midas moving between them was a motion he found both distressing and comforting, only adding to his sudden mounting of stress. Cera watched as the serpent spoke, legs trembling a little. He normally would have gone to hide with Hototo, likely against him, but didn't know if the colt wanted to be near Ktulu instead. So Cera hung awkwardly between everybody, drenched and staring up at the sea monster uncertainly as Midas conversed with it almost easily, saying nothing but managing an uneasy smile.