As the seconds ticked by, Cera's natural abyss of energy was freed from the straps of sleep that weighed it down. Wings glowed white in the dawn light, long awkward legs hopping and stomping the ground childishly. Oh yes, Cera was ready to welcome the new morning. Already bushing himself by pulling on Midas' mane, only to grow bored and prance in a small energetic circle. Boyish face glowing with the joy he faced every day with. Something changed, bringing Cera's playful attitude to a standstill. The presence of another. Cera looked to Midas as the newcomer approached, spotting the bright and eager smile on his father's face. Something inside of the babe throbbed and wings slowly came close to patchy sides. As if trying to enclose himself within his own feathers protectively. The colt came closer and Cera's heart sank pitifully, smile wavering where it remained plastered to his face. He had thought he could be friends, having heard at least a little of Hototo. Was that his name? Yes surely it was. But as he approached, the other youth suddenly seemed quite wary of Cera's presence. Not even regarding him, turning instead to Midas. 

Was he already disregarding Cera? What had he done? Was it his smile? Did he still look sleepy and pathetic?

Normally Cera would bound forward with a grin and exuberantly state his name. But Hototo was...Cera's heart hurt and he took a step backwards. Hototo was handsome, tall, sturdy. Polite and intelligent where Cera, lacking four months of vital speech growth, still stumbled over his words and spoke like a child. Where Hototo was strong, Cera was flimsy and lanky. Red green eyes flickered to Cera and back to Midas a few times. The sandy colt wishing to shrink away into nothingness. He could never measure up to such a magnificent creature, he was much too childish and hyper.

Cera smiled at Hototo nonetheless, hoping to bridge the silent gap even as he took a few steps sideways to remain directly next to Midas. Hiding behind his massive wings as his father was suddenly struck silent by yet another entrance. Black female moved towards them, graceful and commanding, and Cera suddenly felt invisible and inadequate. Hototo with his handsome features and eloquence. Midas and his General status, his skills, magic, and armor. Now this female, whom Cera knew to be Ktulu. Deadly and beautiful and obviously very important to Midas. He hadn't even looked back at Cera since they had appeared. Emerald orbs found the ground, staring hatefully at long skinny legs. Why did he have to be so weak and unhelpful? Wishing he could simply turn and run all the way back to the Throat. Surely Lynx would understand how it felt to feel ugly. Would comfort him in his silent, calm way. Mystique would surely offer her shoulder as well. But no, Cera couldn't run away now. He loved Midas too much. Knew his father loved Hototo and Ktulu very much, and couldn't bear to make him choose. The beautiful woman spoke with a smile to Midas, surprising the cherub by knowing his name. Stuttering and backing another step away as he gave her a sweet, tremulous smile. She was kind to even deign remembering his name, and emerald eyes held adoration and gratitude as he gazed in innocent awe at her. "Y-Yes'm." Feeling ill and shaky at all the attention. He was the odd one out and he knew it. Emerald eyes looked up to clear skies, regaining his courage and swallowing shakily. Today was the day he would learn to fly. Happiness dulled, or at least weakened, the tempest of emotions he couldn't name half of. When Ktulu asked Hototo to say hello, Cera awkwardly sprang forward to speak. Never moving from Midas' hindquarters. "I-It's okay! H-Hi Hototo. I think you're very pretty. L-Like hydrangeas!" He didn't see anything wrong with calling the colt pretty or comparing him to the light blue flowers. He didn't know the word 'handsome' yet. But was pretty a girl word? Oh god he was making a fool of himself wasn't he? Cera was distraught. He wanted to impress these two, but the more he tried the more he made himself seem ditzy and unintelligent. How could Midas love him, he suddenly wondered, when he was so useless and plain? Enviously he glanced up at the beautiful family of two. Sighing and curling his wings in tight, as it trying to hug himself. "S-Sorry...I no know many words...I wanna be friends though..." Voice soft and dejected. Bowing his head, murmuring another apology. Drawing absently in the dirt to occupy himself, sketching the wall Bazilisk had planned. Tears stung his eyes. Bazilisk had betrayed the Throat. His mentor, the one he looked up to, had disappeared. Leaving Cera once again without a mentor and a few crushed dreams. Tiny hoof lovingly sketching every detail, eyes sharpening and mind flickering as it came to life. If he couldn't handle all this attention, this pressure and comparison, he could always rely on crafting to comfort him. 

[[Cera got way too depressed here. I have no idea what happened to be honest. Sorry everyone, I know it's probably not helpful at all.]]

Emotions flicker over the colt's face and Cera is not adept enough at reading them to understand what he's feeling. Letting the excitement at the prospect of flying distract Hototo while Cera swiped over the picture he'd made, not wanting it to be seen. Bazilisk leaving still hurt him and he didn't want to think about it. Especially when faced with the joyous event of learning how to fly. He needed to move on from the sadness and insecurity he was feeling from this meeting and extend his friendship as he always did. Yet, surprisingly, when he did Hototo's reaction wasn't what Cera had been expecting. He actually seemed shocked by the fact Cera wanted to be his friend. In the end Cera had achieved what he wanted, Hototo admitting that he wished to be friends as well. Cera smiled brightly at him, sadness dropping off him easily as he giggled happily. "Friends it is!" Trotting over happily to brush his wing against Hototo's shoulder in a friendly manner, emerald irises glittering happily at the ram horned colt. Cera could easily see them becoming friends, and Cera was a leech whether Hototo knew it or not.

Midas speaking drew his attention and Cera nodded enthusiastically, staying by Hototo's side either way. The cherub was a rather 'touchy' person and didn't once think that Hototo would shy away from him. Even if he did it was doubtful Cera would notice in his obliviousness. Following after Midas up the hill, listeners swiveling to capture every word that he spoke. Soaking in the information like a willing sponge. Seeing Midas so serious when he turned to look at them was a bit strange, but it just let the words sink in even better. Gazing down the hill in childish wonder, though he knew he didn't have the best attention span. At least he nosed the feathers of his own wings when Midas pointed out the different feathers and explained them. Turning only when his voice beckoned once again, bright eyed with wonder.

He had seen Midas fly quite a few times, but this time he watched his movements carefully in order to help himself learn and mimic the movements. Cera used his wings a lot, mostly for balance as in his earlier months he'd been rather terrible at walking. Hopefully it would help at the very least. Yet when his father landed and urged them to the skies, Cera hesitated. Knowing he wouldn't do very good. Turning his eyes to Hototo, finally giving a smile and deciding he shouldn't compare himself to the other colt. "Come on~!" Shrugging as if to say, 'what the heck, why not try? Turning and gulping down the mixture of nerves and excitement that nearly had him bouncing. Shaking out his wings and running forth. Warm air touched under his wings, lifting him up so that his hooves left the security of the earth. Gliding him out over the hill for a few moments, reminding him of the times he'd done it before but at a more extreme level. However as he pushed his wings down he soon lost control after the first lift and quickly came back to earth. Managing to make a decent enough landing before he went sprawling in an amusing heap of long legs and wings. Shocked for a few moments before bursting into peals of laughter. Shaking himself out from the tangle of his legs that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Still giggling he went back up the hill towards his father with a bright smile, thrilled by the fact that he'd stayed aloft for any amount of time.

Hototo is far larger than Cera’s frail form, but Cera’s personality makes up for it in leaps and bounds. His heart is too big for his body, his outgoing and hyper personality only making him seem larger than he was. The massive colt was awkwardly shy and endearing, though Cera was oblivious to his nervous demeanor. Eyes watch him shyly, and Cera returns this with a bright smile. In time, Cera would figure out Hototo’s peculiar ways. Likewise the other colt would likely grow used to the cherub’s outgoing liveliness. Until then, however, Cera would shower the demigod with love and cheer. He would show Hototo that he didn’t mind, that he wanted to be very good friends. And for once he was quite determined to make Hototo his friend, he seemed like he needed one. And if there was one thing Cera did best, it was being someone’s friend.

Bonding time must be cut short, for painted father is speaking. Excitement grows inside, taking over all other emotions. When Cera burst forward to follow Midas, Hototo followed at a scramble that was born from hesitation to achieve his mother’s approval. Cera has eyes only for Midas and the skies above them, eager to begin this step into adulthood. The hill is noticeable, and emerald eyes stare down it with barely withheld excitement. No other emotions other than love can fit into the space it has taken up, filling him with something akin to adrenaline but that is far more endless than the short burst adrenaline gives him. It is hard to pay attention for a few moments, wishing to simply throw himself heavenward and allow his wings to do the rest. After all, he was born for the skies. Light frame meant for maneuvering and easy lift. Nevertheless he is obedient, and almost instinctually crown turns to allow Midas to instruct him. It is simply impossible for Cera to disobey, for fear of disappointing his father. Even anger would not hurt as much as disappointing Midas. Serious face does not deter him, though he records the word to memory. Transcribing it carefully onto his mind.

Use of wings has helped him for months, keeping him from falling face first onto every available surface. Perhaps he was lucky to have used them so often, for as he mimed the motions Midas showed them he felt ease and willingness in his motions. Golden hooves leave safety of earth and the pair are left behind watching, though Midas has seen pegasi of every shape and size leave the earth in nearly every way. Being a part of the Throat, seeing shapes of members in the skies was not strange. Midas lands, most likely knowing that both boys are eager beyond belief to accept the wind and skies beneath their winged appendages. Hototo turns slowly but Cera had already run forward, more than willing to fail if it meant he could try again. Very little could disappoint or discourage the bouncy little boy, so crashing and burning did not prevent him from throwing himself out into space that would only support him through trial and error. The wind was ever changing, finicky, and Cera was determined to own them. No, not to own them. To be a part of them, for they had gifted him with his form.

As he had suspected he had fallen from grace like some angel cast down to earth, though smile remains as if he had never been damned. Hototo’s voice calling his name in what seemed to be fright and concern surprised him. Cera’s heart skipped a beat, instinctively reacting to his friend’s shock. The bellow is loud and surprisingly masculine for such an age, and Cera briefly wishes to dash back up the hill to assure him that he is fine. But he can’t, for he has crashed back down onto the grass. His laughter follows, seeming to shake the ground as it echoed down to him, encouraging and praising him. Sandy head popped up, forelock mussed and sticking up as glowing green eyes met Hototo’s. Grinning wildly as he corrected himself slowly. ”Thanks! Do it! Do it! Do it! It’s fun!” Beckoning him to the air as well, anticipation on his face. Wanting to see Hototo try, as the other colt had done for him.

He went barreling down towards Cera, wings snapping open and lifting into the air. Cera’s mouth fell open into a strange mixture of jaw-dropped awe and grinning, which was more like a stretched ‘oh’ face. Hototo scrabbled in the air and Cera watched as he went crashing back down in an extremely comical way. However his head popped up too as he righted himself, and Cera couldn’t help but join in on his laughter. Nearly in tears as his legs shook from the intensity of his laughter. ”That was amazing, Toto!” he laughed, finally standing and running over to the other colt. Nudging him with his wings, bouncing around him, nuzzling him with his muzzle. Urging him up, up, up, because Cera wanted to try again. Midas spoke then and Cera paused only long enough to listen to him attentively, face clearly showing he wanted to try once more. It seemed rather hard to lift off straight from the ground, but Cera knew Midas would allow them the use of the hill. Nodding quickly, he obeyed his father and turned once more to Hototo. ”Come on! Again!” Grinning invitingly, daringly. Turning and dashing back up the hill towards his father with a glowing face, stopping at the top and swiveling to wait for Hototo.

What a fine day for flying and friends.