Snowy face turned in his direction as he called out to her, brightening as her eyes fell upon his form. Recognizing him immediately. She seemed rather…small compared to the last time he’d seen her. Then again he’d been growing by the hour, as if to make up for the stilts he had for legs. Shooting up quickly, sure to overtake Midas in height by the time he was an adult. Even so these thoughts did not take hold in his brain for long, as Mystique returned his affections quickly with a gentle nuzzle. Following the routine they normally had when greeting each other, the unicorn filly pulled on his forelock in return. Never in a painful way, simply a way to playfully greet each other. Bodies pressed close with bright smiles appearing on both of their faces, Mystique chirping happily in his ears that she’d missed him. He had as well, but he’d been stuck in a cycle of fear and hadn’t wanted to involve the girl. "I missed you too, silly!" Nuzzling behind her ears playfully, giggling.

However light-hearted play wasn’t meant to last, and gaze was drawn down to the scar over his breast as she rubbed against it. Cera’s face dropped all joy it had previously held, turning to ice that didn’t belong on his innocent visage. Turning skittish, wary. Afraid of what she would think. Her concern only made it waver a little, and he awkwardly turned his head away from her. ”Yeah, I’m fine…” Blatantly avoiding the question she’d posed first, not wanting to talk about it with her. He loved her dearly, but he didn’t want her pity. She wouldn’t understand, couldn’t understand. She couldn’t help him, and he hated that.

Even so he was spared the awkward talk and silence that would have followed by the appearance of another, older foal. She stood not far from them, head turned demurely. Speaking quietly, unsurely. It reminded Cera a lot of when he’d first met Yol and Mystique. All three of them had been an awkward little group, it was almost amusing. But, clearly, it had been worth it. Somehow he’d been blessed with Mystique as a best friend, despite how strange their first encounter was. He missed Yol sometimes, but Hototo had surprisingly claimed that revered spot of beloved brother. Already he desired to see the colt again. Mystique moved quickly under his wing and he held her tight, assuring her that there was nothing to fear from another Throat member. Chain hung lightly on his neck, and he took courage from the pendant Midas had gifted him with. Despite her sudden shyness, Mystique greeted her kindly. Cera couldn’t help his friendly nature and stepped away from Mystique towards Lana. Dragging the long feathers of his wings against the white filly’s side to show her he wasn’t leaving completely. Trotting forward towards Lana with a bright, welcoming smile. Ilaria finally shifted from where she’d been hidden between his wings, yawning and clambering slowly up his mane to peer at Lana from between his ears. ”Hi! I’m Cera! And this is Ilaria. Nice to meet you!” Ilaria yawned and chittered softly, dark eyes turning to Mystique and then flopping down on his head again, still tired from her nap.