Accompanied by the heat that crawled along his flesh from the sun above in the arid desert, the soothing relief of the overhanging branches of the pines was appreciated. Nearly overwhelmingly so, with the coolness that dissipated into the ground, making it soft and pliable beneath his hooves. Despite his hatred of the forest encroaching on his homeland's territory, the shade was blissful on blistering days. Even with bad blood between himself and the past that lay dead and buried in the land, it had been in the forest that he'd found Amani, and the young stallion fervently hoped it was a sign that his fate with the land would begin to change. Perhaps it was a sign of growth, of continuity. Either way, whether he attempted to make symbolism out of every encounter or merely took it at face value, he had somehow been convinced to return. Ilaria cooed in agreement from his shoulder, evoking a snort of amusement from snowy nostrils. Always the optimist.

Squelch. Squelch. Squelch.

Harks twisted, pausing lean legs that pushed through the deepening earth to ensure it was not his own advancement through the mud that he was hearing. Surely enough, despite the thick smell of pine and earth concealing the stranger's scent, there was another being walking amidst the trees. A grunt of breath was assurance of that conclusion. Intrigued, though simultaneously wary with his own past experiences coloring his judgment, the youth changed direction. Nickering softly into the air to announce his own presence, pillars lifted high out of the mud as gait picked up, moving to intercept the stranger. There was no harm in sating curiosity, right?

Gaucho!

Cera's steps faltered at Ilaria's sudden cry, the pulling of his locks in her claws as she tried to command him into turning his head to the left where she had already been looking. Surely enough, despite the hesitancy of his turning, emotions a ball of confusion in his stomach, it was Gaucho's familiar form that fell beneath his gaze. "Gaucho?" Disbelief colored the breath of the name that fell from his lips, turning and approaching slowly, unsure with how to handle the sudden appearance of one of the few Cera held in high esteem. Gaucho was like family to him, after all.

@[Gaucho] That was bad, but I'm sure it'll improve haha

In the moment when their eyes met, a feeling of unease settled in Cera's stomach. There was no recognition in Gaucho's face, no warm voice to gruffly speak his name. He feared the duplicates had returned, terrified that he would have to fight for his life against an abomination of the warrior he saw more and more like a father. There was no doubt in his mind that Cera could not best Gaucho in any sort of battle, especially one to the death. Cera had no magic to aid him, and even less experience that did not involve his life being on the line. No. Mara is with him. This is Gaucho. Something wrong. Cera's guarded expression softened and he stepped back with a bob of his head to try and put Gaucho at ease. Mara's hissing drew his attention, and he smiled to see her familiar form. "Hello, Mara. She has grown a lot since I last saw her," he smiled softly at Gaucho as he directed the latter portion to him, trying to convey a feeling of safety and calmness to the tense warrior. Ilaria was right. Something was definitely wrong with his family member. Cera would not rest until he found out what, exactly, it was.

Smiling brighter than the flames that illuminated Gaucho's form to see Mara slither towards him, he dropped his head and breathed softly upon her. "You are as beautiful as ever, miss Mara," he laughed softly. Perhaps she could not understand him, but he had always been overly fond of companions, and bonded well with them. She truly was a gorgeous serpent, so he was not lying in the least. Gaucho's terse words, or perhaps word was more befitting, made him pause and slowly lift his crown once more. Confusion colored his features. Was Gaucho...hurt?

"Gaucho, you disappeared. For many seasons. The Dragon's Throat has been trying to find you. Are you well? What has happened to you, brother?" Cera's natural gentleness colored his vocals, reaching out to wrap around Gaucho with a soft surety, blanketing him in a puzzled concern for his family. If only he could understand Mara, perhaps he could glean more about the situation.


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@[Gaucho]! I like this post a lot better haha. Also found a great quote for this thread because I'm a nerd.

Ilaria cooed down at Mara, trusting of the serpent that wound herself around the pale ankle of her bonded. Cera gently moved to brush soft lips against her cool, scaled side that curled around his flesh. He was as soft as he could be with the reptile, careful not to harm her or shift his position and disrupt her. She had been as present in his life as Ilaria and Fina, and while he could not read her mind or speak her language, he was eternally fond of her. However long she desired to cling to him was fine in his mind, and he would abide willingly. With eyes hidden away by blond tresses, brows clenched towards one another. Something was wrong with Gaucho. He wished he could ask Mara, glean from her whatever was hiding in the stallion's mind, but it was an impossible wish.

Slowly glancing up, drawing head higher to meet Gaucho's gaze levelly, he tried to clear his mind and think. Ears flicked halfway back upon his crown as his words were met with hostility, flaming appendages rising threateningly and derisive snort crackling into the air. Words he couldn't understand punctuated a promise of violence. Lies? Cera peered at Gaucho, trying to understand. He did not call Cera by his name, nor did he show any recognition when Cera mentioned their homeland. "Not know you," he had said. And suddenly, it clicked. Gaucho had amnesia.

Cera slid his wings close to his body, head turning to the side in an act of appeasement. Even so his eyes met Gaucho's in an attempt to form some sort of visible bond. "Gaucho...you have forgotten, haven't you? You don't know me, or anybody else. But I can help you remember. Mara remembers me, right? Ask her. I tell the truth. You don't have to trust me...but I am a disciple of the Gods." He struggled to find words that Gaucho would trust, anything that could help calm the stallion. Cera wished he'd realized sooner, had not been so familiar with the stag, and only prayed that somehow he could convince the warrior to listen to him.

"The Gods I serve can return your memory. I can take you to them. I won't make you go anywhere, but I know everything is very confusing. It is your choice. I only want to help." Slowly he turned his crown back and with sad eyes lowered his head down to where Mara was encircled around his leg. "I will not fight you, Gaucho. I will not harm Mara, nor you. Attack if you will, but I refuse to do the same." With bated breath he closed his eyes, ready to accept any sort of blow should Gaucho decide he was lying once more or the Diviner had confused him beyond acceptance. His only fear was that he would stumble and somehow hurt Mara, should the stag truly engage him in battle. He hoped the snake would aid him, would try to help him convince Gaucho to let Cera lead him to the Veins. It was clear he could not be convinced to return to the Dragon's Throat. It was dangerous, maybe, to make himself so prone in the eyes of a predator who could not recall any emotional attachment with the painted child, but he had to try.

@[Gaucho] And is the contrast better? I could hardly read it on my laptop.