Warm currents lifted paling wings and lithe form, keeping the young stallion aloft on the abnormally heated drafts. Frostfall was harsh and unrelenting, crackling icy plains upon even the desert sands of his home. It was a relief to enjoy the magma heat of the Hearts, even if it caused a resurfacing of memories that Cera would rather not deal with. Alone in the skies, it was hard to resist the urge to drift into thoughts that would not lead him down a favorable path. Contemplative sea-glass green eyes drifted lazily across the rivers of red below, searching for the lovable lass he'd found himself missing as the seasons wore on. She'd been invisible, it seemed, consistently escaping Cera's company. Was she well? He found himself worrying further, though he was sure that the maiden was at least in good health and still a part of their family, or he would never have been assigned to her excursion.

A winged figure below, approaching the yawning mouth of the cave system, was Cera's assurance that Amani had not disappeared since he had last laid eyes on her. Circling widely, the youth tilted his flight wings inwards, an easy descent guiding him to the expanse of rock behind her. Pale hooves clattered in a cacophony of sound, skittering loose pebbles as the warmth intensified. Red bleeding light onto his skin, bathing in the colors as he jogged towards the beautiful mare before him. Certainly she had grown since he'd last been in her presence, and she was as beautiful as Cera had known she would age to be. The tension along her lithe shoulders, however, was something he intended to chase away.

Ilaria's absence was noted with a sense of loss, as his skin shifted to follow Amani's tentative steps. She had desired to see Amani again, but Cera was unwilling to take her along with him after the Sun God's warning. He trusted that she would be safe beneath his watchful, benevolent gaze, in the protected sands of their homeland. Ryuu certainly loved her company, as it was, and Cera knew the boy needed her more than he did at times. Snorting his approach, if she had perhaps not heard the click of his hooves on the stone behind her, Cera reached out to potentially brush his soft muzzle across the expanse behind her shoulder. Smile encouraging and kind. "Together?" he offered, taking a few more steps onto the declining earthen path leading into the system of caverns.

@[Amani]

Cocoa kissers mold around his name beautifully, and the young stag lowered his head towards her at the sound of his title. It is a gift, to see the sway he has on her, bear witness to the ease of her figure as his identity is recognized. Though it does little to ease the befuddled emotions at seeing her so grown up, so much more mature than the quiet, adorable filly he'd scooped up from the Deep Forest. It made his entire body feel...frankly uncomfortable, unable to decipher his own emotions. Which was a drastic change, considering how intimately he knew his own (often previously interchanging) emotional states. Mentally shaking his head at himself, Cera instead focused on the yawning mouth of the cave system, his whiskers twitching with the loss of her warm skin still lingering on his lips.

Cera follows behind her in the instant she moves forth, their hooves creating a cacophony of sound as their strides refuse to match up. It's difficult for the adolescent to choose whether he should walk before Amani or behind, not knowing which direction was liable to be more dangerous. He wanted to be able to pivot well enough to protect her should danger arise, but no advantageous positions were forthcoming and the path of descent was a narrow one. Cera unconsciously pressed close to the beautiful girl, shoulder nearly in her flank, refusing to leave her side even if it meant a tighter fit down the entrance path.

Her words draw his protective mindset away to a more logical form. Squinting into the darkness as his eyes adjusted, Cera snorted softly. "I hope nothing dangerous. I can't protect you very well in such close quarters. But hopefully something of importance, at least?" Trying to put a hopeful spin on it was difficult to say the least, but if it quelled the quaver of her voice then he would damn well do a jig right there and then. She was far more beautiful smiling than any other expression he'd seen light up her face.

The caverns opened up into the foremost room, and Cera swept ahead of her for a brief moment, assuring there was nothing in the gaping space before slowing and returning to her side. "I'm sorry that I've been so scarce, Ama. My sister recently had a foal, and I've been trying to support the pair of them," the prince explained softly, eyes warm with a tinge of regret. He'd sworn to be there for Amani, to be her brother and protect and guide her. Despite having good reasoning, he still felt as if he had failed the beautiful lass.

Maybe the apology would help spur the conversation and calm her fears, distract her from the dangers Cera could feel in his very skin.

@[Amani]