Too young, he is one season too young. It enrages him. He is the son of the General! Do they not understand the passion that came to him naturally, raised by someone of such great stature?! Did they not comprehend that he wanted to fight?! He should be there beside his father, protecting their home, not fleeing with the other tiny foals! His blood should be upon that crimson sand, those wounds should be upon his hide, not those of the near-overwhelmed soldiers that had clashed with the invaders upon the frontlines.

Must stay safe, a sweet, worried coo sounded within his thoughts. Legs quaking from running for so long, as fast as he was- hard enough to whip his hair violently upon his neck in sharp stings- his athletic frame drooped sadly, pace slowing. Ilaria nuzzled his collar gently, crooning wordlessly. With her speech abilities they had only grown closer, and though it revealed the stubborn side of her far more clearly, it helped to have her speak directly to him. In his anger, she was worried, and the concern had him deflating. Long pillars slowed to a stop, head hung low, wings drooped. I know...I just...I worry for them… Ilaria purred softly, her long tail brushing his hide lovingly. He turned and offered her his muzzle, eyes shut in sorrow and despair. He should have been there! His heart ached, praying that Midas, Gaucho, Onni, and Shadow were safe. Sohalia and Valentine as well. You love, but they love too. Need you safe. Cera sighed as she wrapped her little arms around his muzzle, nuzzling and hugging him awkwardly. She knew she was right even when he said nothing in return, and the smug but loving feeling that pressed into his made him roll his eyes and push his velvet nose against her soft furry belly. Both of them inwardly laughing, Cera’s mood fizzling out, Ilaria readjusted herself over his spine and clung tight. Up! Up! Up! Laughing aloud at the fact that Ilaria now loved flying instead of despising it, Cera lunged forward and raced forward into the darkness, massive wings snapping out and catching the wind as he jerked up into the air, pale hooves leaving the earth.

Anger and injustice still simmered at his core, but flying always eased his temper. Eased anything malevolent in his soul, really. He had no clue where he was going, didn’t really care, just put the moon to his side and let the air guide him where it wished. Ilaria kept yapping at him until he finally indulged her with a few aerial games, not that he minded, but he laughed and rolled his bright emeralds at her pushy nature.

Then, for a few long hours where his wings slowly became tired, they merely drifted high on the cusp of the atmosphere, together. Breathing in soft, quiet breaths, plucking the string that twined around their hearts and kept them connected. They were one, a single soul housed within two vessels, returned to one another at last through luck and fate.

Below, the moon shines softly off a coat of pearl. Emeralds do not catch it, pale snowy lashes settled quietly against his cheekbones as he let Ilaria guide him alongside the powerful director of the wind. Her amber orbs fall upon the shuffling form, curiosity sparking up their connection. Cera twisted one ear, confused, and let his eyes peek open. What is it, Illy? Quietly he sent her the thought, the silence of the night nearly stifling now that she had alerted him. The wind is quiet, the hush of his wings and the soft whisp of his breath the only melody he can sing to. Little one. Alone. Cera’s brow knit, worry playing across his handsome features. Glancing down at her prodding, he circled widely and contemplated the possibility of this being a ridiculous venture. But, despite all the muscle he’d worked up in his wings, he could only go three hours comfortably if he went with the wind, and he had to land and rest them soon regardless.

Elegantly he folded his paling wings, letting the point of them dip down towards the earth as they curled inward to brush his sides lovingly. Ivory forelegs curled to his chest, and he let the earth take him, drawing him down in a straight-shot towards the pale maiden stumbling through the undergrowth as if lacking a definitive path. Slowly he began to release the hold on his wings, and his drop was significantly slower and more controlled as he finally opened them fully and touched down with the lightest of sounds. He wasn’t far from the other youth, having landed from behind her, so he jogged forward and arched his neck to try and peer at her as he approached, lips parting to call out to her. M’lady, are you lost or injured? His voice had deepened considerably, but still held the light, honey melody that gave him his boyish flavor he would never outgrow. After all, he was only one turn of season away from being looked upon as a full adult, and his body had been preparing him for it long ago when he’d shot up far above his father. Of course Cera wasn’t very aware of his own growth seeing as it was his own body, but he’d always had a rather large wingspan to begin with.

As he came up on the unicorn’s right side, he caught a glimpse of her face, and balked. The sudden stop displaced Ilaria, whom he caught with a quick jerk of his wing and shoulder. She chittered angrily, quieting only when she tuned into his frazzled, mixed emotions. M-Mystique? He asked softly, darkly. A ghost from his past, appearing for the second time after disappearing for the same amount of times. His attractive features hardened, wings half-opened as if preparing for a direct lift from the ground at any moment. He would not let her tear his heart asunder a third time, should she try he would not linger long enough for the wound to even be caressed. Ilaria growled softly, continuously, as she registered just who it was they had discovered in the half-light. Her opinions and judgements were much harsher than her princely bonded’s, and she was not at all fond of Mystique. The light glanced off the gruesome scar upon his chest, one he had never been able to explain to her so long ago when he’d found her on the shoreline. Now, he did not know if he wanted to stay long enough to get the chance to.

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@[Mystique]