Charcoal visage is set in stone that Cera has never seen on him before, and it is disconcerting for the colt. That face does not belong on Note, it isn’t the Note he knows at all, and he wants to turn and flee at the sight of it. They all have their demons, but Cera at his age didn’t really understand that. He only sees the frigid stare on his friend’s face, and feels awkward and out of place standing before him. Ilaria soothes him softly, unable to do much else but suspecting that her bonded was simply taking the expression the wrong way. She understood him, held him deep in her core and loved him for every little flaw and broken piece. So, seeing Note sucked so deep into thought, she removed her emotions from where they were naturally so intertwined with his. Instead pulsing soothing, understanding motions through their bond. Slowly, beneath her careful ministrations, he relaxed. Flight instinct shuddering and crumpling beneath her careful watch. When the tension in his lanky body finally disappeared she purred roughly and the two reached out their love to each other and latched onto the other for comfort and a sense of understanding. Ilaria understood Cera better than even Midas, and knew he was simply fearful that he had done something to upset Note, to place that face upon his normally kind looks.

Sympathy softens the visage Cera had found so uncomfortable to bear witness to, and the colt managed an honest smile. His wings did not hold up much restraint when Note used his own to spread them away from his chest. It still makes him twitch once it is revealed, but he flicked his gaze up at the stallion trustingly. He is still shaken by the story, but Note is one of his best friends despite their age difference. ”If you look at it a different way, you’re not just dealing with it, you’re conquering it.” Cera quietly mulled over those words, pushing them about his brain meaningfully. Ilaria stared back at Note before flicking her fluffy tail and giving a soft chirruping noise, clearly approving. He had pushed her limit with that story, sending Cera into a frenzy of emotions like that, but he had only meant the best it seemed. So long as he did not intend to harm Cera like that again, he would stay on the good side of her rather protective personality. Cera sometimes thought she had a little person complex, but in reality it was just her personality reflecting many aspects that Cera did not have.

Note’s words had Cera not only becoming more comfortable, but nearly glowing with hope. Did Note really see him as strong? Was it true that he possessed the will and strength to actually show his scar without fear? Cera looked up at Note, not only literally but figuratively as well. He and Note were surprisingly similar, and he hoped that someday he could be as comfortable in his skin as the older male. The soft almost kiss to his forehead made Cera giggle, irises brightening considerably. When Note pulled away he bumped their muzzles together happily, exuberantly. ”Do ya really think I can?” His eyes held trust and hope, knowing he could make it through all this if he had Midas and Note to guide him through it.