Snowy white wings and glowing halo accompanied the body of the thin little colt that was racing headlong towards the oasis. Two tone mane flying like a banner as impossibly lengthy pillars drew him closer and closer. Childish excitement brought a glow to emerald irises, focused solely on the approaching water. Swan like wings drew themselves up, tips reaching for the sky, gaining tension as the space between Cera's little hooves and the water shortened. Finally pushing them down, catching the wind he needed to thrust him upwards a decent height. Squealing joyously as he half soared half crashed down towards the water. Legs extended out before him, splashing directly into the middle of the oasis with giggles bursting out of him.

Completely soaked now, the lanky cherub splashed and bucked through the water, sending up a tall spray of water that caught the harsh sunlight of the Dragon's Throat. White wings swept through it, accompanied by the whinnies of joy coming from the entertained little youngster. When he had his fill of play, he trotted out of the rippling water with a bright smile. Shaking his wings out much like a dog, the feathers drying quickly under the sun. Emeralds searched the horizon, wondering what he should do next. The day was open wide for him, and he hadn't been able to find Mystique or Lynx, so it was up to him to entertain himself once again.

Water dripped off the thin colt despite his shaking, completely oblivious to the fact he wasn't alone. He was so used to it that he didn't even bother to look around. Mystique or Lynx would accompany him at times, but he was used to staying on his own until Midas returned from his General duties. So when he realized that he wasn't alone it was both a shock and a pleasant surprise. A dark brown stallion, also a Pegasus, stood behind him in an almost awkward fashion.

Green eyes brightened and he pranced in a small circle to face the other male, wings coming up to his sides and bouncing on his hooves happily. "Hi!" Chirping cheerily to him, looking up at him through the soft glow of his halo, reflecting off the color of his eyes in a surprisingly complimenting way. The sun no longer bothered his eyes from living here, so looking up at the grown male didn't make it very hard for him. "I'm Cera! Who're you? Do you wanna play?" Little hooves dancing eagerly on the sand as he looked up to similarly colored orbs. Oblivious to the fact he'd soaked and angered the poor stallion moments before their meeting.

The stallion watched him in a strange manner, but Cera was completely oblivious to the fact. Every inch of him vibrated with the energy he always seemed to have, every feather rustling with the pleasure he felt at the possibility of making yet another friend. Oblivious to the fact Note was taking a step away from him, as Cera didn't really know the meaning of personal space. He smiled at least, which was good in his book. So long as he was kind, Cera didn't mind at all. It was practically permission!

Note, he announced himself. Though his eyes soon found the ground in a manner Cera at least knew as shy. "Hiiiiii Note!" Dragging out the hello as he whirled around in a few small circles, making himself dizzy with both laughter and vertigo. Spreading long legs out to brace himself until it passed. Note's eyes found him again, asking what games Cera wanted to play. The colt shuffled his wings to a more comfortable position and positioned his legs back to their original stance. Head tilting in a cute manner as he thought this over, ears flopping comically. Finally brightening and rearing up a few inches excitedly. "Oh! Oh! We can play tag, or we can do cannonballs like I did! Or we can race? Or play make believe!" Dancing on the spot, unable to keep still in the least.

Laughter, soft as it was, came from the cocoa infused stallion as Cera's antics continued. Of course the colt had no idea that he could possibly be taken as annoying. All the people he had met had been completely accepting, in some cases even encouraging, of his boundless energy. Surely someday as an adult it would come in handy but he was taking a risk with every new person. It seemed Note would not be that person. 

Cera faltered when he had to choose, big doe eyes looking at note as if surprised. Finally smiling and extending his wings in a show of decision. "All of them!" Crying out exuberantly. 

Note's demeanor was soft but awkward, but Cera thought automatically that he was wonderful. After all who else would be so willing to do whatever Cera wanted? Little colt decided to start immediately, in order of his ideas. Bouncing forward and tapping Note's shoulder with his muzzle. "Tag! You're it!" Immediately whirling around with a squeal of glee, shooting off but keeping himself close to the oasis. Lengthy pillars driving his lanky body across the sand, bright smile on his face. 

Whether Note knows it, or even wants it, he has been abducted. Taken into the fold Cera has created, the gaggle of loved ones he frequently preys on to adore and play with. He has a very simple procedure for friendship, but his ties to them we're stronger than steel. Note was, luckily or unluckily, now part of Cera's little family. Oblivious to the fact Note is hesitating at all, Cera only realizes when he is drawing closer. 

Squealing happily a the rush he go knowin he would soon be tagged, his pace changed and he giggled breathlessly. The thrill you got as you tried to evade someone in tag made you intoxicated with happiness. Right before Note reached him, Cera's ears heard a plaintive cry that tugged harshly at his heart. Blur of red and black catches his eye as Note's voice worriedly called out to him. Cera quickly stopped and jogged back to Note, soft green eyes taking in the exhausted red panda on the sand. Gasping when he realized that the Earth God had sent him the one who would cure the loneliness he felt in Midas' absence. 

"Note! She's my friend! Daddy Earth sent me on a quest!" Kneeling down as low as he could get, belly brushing the sand. Wings lowering flat, peering worriedly at the fluffy creature. Touching her cheek gently. "Note, she's hungry!" Rising up now to his knees, knowing he cannot carry her now. He must find her food. Concern crinkles his face and he turns to her. "I'll find food, okay? I'll come back!" Remembering how she cried out to him, not wanting to leave her and have her think she is abandoning him. Gently he moves her, bridge of his nose beneath her belly and shuffling her to the base of the tree. Touching her shoulder and standing. 

Cera turns big worried eyes to Note. "I don't wanna leave her...we can't go far okay?" Reluctant to part from the one meant to be with him. Glancing around the desert, thinking of what he could feed her. Something small, like rodents. 

[[Will an RE appear for them?]]

The knowledge that he succeeded in his quest completely bypasses him. Cera doesn't even spare a moment to feel proud or shocked. His attention is on the ball of crimson and ebony fur that lay so tired and still on the sand. Grassy eyes never leave her form. He can only repeat a few thoughts in his head. One being that she was here. Finally in his presence, the one he would be bonded to until he died. The one who would know him inside and out, whom he would love unconditionally. It's a staggering prospect, but he is eager for it. She was what he had wanted for months now. Fina and Midas were already so close. Cera couldn't wait to reach even that depth of intimacy, uncaring of the fact it would take her months in order to speak at all. Already he loved her. 

Cera stood reluctantly. He had to find her food. As much as he despised leaving her in a heap by herself, she needed the nourishment. Note spoke then, seeming just as worried as the colt. "Little animals. Rodents, eggs. Mice, or voles?" Trailing off as he tried to think of the vermin that lived in the desert. Taking a few steps away to begin searching for tracks or a burrow. He passed them often enough on a daily basis, but now he needed to actually pay attention. 

Note moving so quickly made Cera jump, startled by the sudden slamming of hooves against sand. The cloud that appears is annoying but easily found in the Throat. The squealing of a trapped rodent however is not. It hurts the colts ears but the bite seems to look even worse. Note's hold on the wild creature is removed and the thing goes scurrying off. Cera is saddened by this and turns to Note. "Sorry it bit you..."

Eyes return to the plains. Soft bundle of fur is spotted, still shedding its coat from Frostfall. Ground squirrel. Cera knows he will have to be fast, and not hesitate to kill it. It sickens him to think of slaughtering it but knows his friend needs it. He faces forward, wings tucked tight. This animal is a prey to hawks and knows the shadow of wings. It will only give him away faster. Legs are extended in a full gallop, knowing its a flat run for an animal with much smaller legs. It cannot traverse the sand to safety in a burrow or tree before Cera's legs cover it's ground in seconds. Hooves are aimed carefully as he lunges, hoping to crush it beneath his weight. Not wanting it to suffer. Breaking its spinal cord or crushing its skull would be easiest even if he has to detach his emotions to keep from crying. 

Note is off before disappointment can settle fully for Cera. He feels hopeless but it's small in comparison to his determination to feed the beautiful panda. He supposed he would have to think of a name for her. Emeralds turn to Note as he lunged, wings spreading as he dove for a creature he couldn't see. A sharp squeal and then silence had his ears flicking skyward and face brightening. Had be gotten it?

Cera jogged over to him and gasped happily. Smiling brightly at Note. Thankful that he was here to help Cera. "You got it! Thank you!" Cheerily brushing his muzzle over Note's cheek. Knowing he had to be the one to give it to her, he quickly if queasily rolled it over to the fluffy panda. Dark eyes looked at him and then the food, latching onto it and eating greedily. Thrilled, Cera turned and swept the sand again. He needed something slower, something he could actually catch. Mind went to snakes. They were fast when striking but slow across the sand at times. Eyes not pausing until he found one. Approaching quickly from behind. He didn't want to be big after all. The Throat residents knew how to kill snakes if they needed to but Cera had never done it before. Using his wings he pushed down and lifted himself forward. Aiming towards the head so that it's fangs wouldn't find his leg.