Welcome to Gaia! ::

Naveen smiled warmly at the other stallion. "Likewise, Damir. I wouldn't mind a bit of help." Glancing at the stunned colt, he chuckled. "But it looks like your boy has another piece of business to attend to." He took a moment to step back and introduce the girl that had just giggled next to him. "Damir, boys, this is my daughter, Acacia Winter."

Acacia giggled at Cedomir's open-mouthed gaping, then smiled at his father and brother when she was introduced. "It's nice to meet you." Then she turned back to the blushing colt. "And it's nice to see you again so soon."

Despite his lack of social skills, Deldragan seemed aware enough to know this was his cue to avoid his brother and the pretty mare that had captured his attention. "I'll help you," he informed Naveen. "And Dad can get Aila."

The Azrien merchant chuckled. A perceptive boy. "That sounds like a plan to me. Lead on, young one." He didn't bother giving Acacia a warning to stay nearby; the girl was too bright to wander off on her own.

Deldragan rolled his eyes and grumbled something about his brother being dense, though he was happy to be in the lead either way. But honestly, not catching the hint when everyone else noticed... Either Cedo was crushing on the older mare harder than he thought, or his brother was a lot denser than he thought.

Acacia's snow white eyes danced with amusement as she followed her father and the boys further onto the farmland. For how serious and relatively level-headed he was the other day, he sure was flustered now... Was it because he was around his family? It couldn't be just surprise, could it? She'd surprised him the other day too, after all... This side of him was just adorable.

Danny reluctantly pulled herself away from the farmer, smiling sheepishly at the stallion. "Alright, alright. We're coming." Cedomir smitten? This she had to see! But first... The instant Damir's head was no longer in sight, she pulled Aila back to her for one more brief kiss before once again reluctantly separating from the woman and wandering out into the sun with her.

When Del and Cedo were done with hauling Naveen's wares over to Aila, Danny, and Damir, he glared at his brother. What was the moron doing, acting like a sack of potatoes like this? Ugh. Whatever. He had to get back to running. He slipped away and headed back towards the farm's fence and continued at his sluggish pace.

Danny happily help Aila's hand until it was released, her own expression shifting to a more relaxed one as she followed the farmer to the waiting Azrien merchant. Her gaze went to the starstruck Cedomir. Oh dear, he was smitten. Did she look like that when she first met Aila? That must've been so embarrassing to watch!

Naveen grinned back. "It has been way too long," he agreed. "But I had good reasons." He glanced at his daughter, who was still smiling despite being ignored. He watched the mare for a moment or two before turning back to Aila to discuss business.

Acacia was a little disappointed that Cedomir wasn't talking to her, but she didn't let that get her down. She wandered about, looking at the crops and house but being careful not to touch anything. It was a merchants' rule, after all--it went along with the 'you break it, you buy it' rule. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she looked around. It was all so new to her and she couldn't help being happy at the experience even though she was wandering around the farm by herself now.

Acacia blinked and smiled, quietly following him into the grove of trees. She was glad she was flexible, otherwise it might've been hard to slip in after him.

Naveen smiled at the mention of Cynthia. "She was feeling a little light-headed from visiting Longwei the other day, but other than that, she's been fine. Hopefully she'll be feeling up to coming next time." With her background, Cynthia wasn't capable of traveling all the time like he was, but she did accompany him on some trips. He was a bit glad that she didn't have his endurance, though. Otherwise, they might've not decided to make themselves a permanent home in the valley below Longwei's mountain...

Acacia's eyes lit up. "It's beautiful," she said softly, smiling. "Thank you, Cedomir." The flower was a lot like the ones on her coat too. How interesting! The colt was being so sweet... maybe making up for his earlier clam-up?

Acacia couldn't help feel a little honored that she'd been shown his secret spot. A delicate blush spread across her face at his compliment. "Thank you... you're very sweet." Her snow white eyes shone. "And I'm glad I got to see your secret spot. It's beautiful."

Acacia nodded. "Of course I won't tell." She nudged him lightly. "Promise."

Seasons came and went, and with them, so did Cedo's foal-horns. He grew strong and proud and protective of his family, his adult-horns grew in thick and curly and strong, and his full coat came in gloriously, with his simple swirls and spots. But through all these changes, two things never changed.

His lust for life and moral ideals.

And his crush on that pretty mare that he had met as a foal, Acacia.

Though he would never admit it to anyone, never talked about it to anyone, not even Cetolaelia, who he was closer to than anyone else. No. This was his secret, his weakness and he'd take it to his grave.

Though, when Aila mentioned that she was expecting a merchant, Cedomir stayed up all night in excitement, and disappeared the next day to his little secret place that he had shown her, wondering if she would show up.

When he got there, he looked around in dismay. It had been months since he had come in here and the place was a disaster. It looked as if those pixie fox things had made a nest and left the place in shreds, and their dung was all over.

He gave a half frown and began sweeping it away with his hooves as delicately as possible until it seemed it was a bit clearer. He then went and grabbed some fresh foliage to remake the little bedding he had had when he was younger to make the ground softer. He grinned as he did so, remembering the nights he had 'run away' from home cause he was big and strong and ready to face the world on his own, only to come here and stay the night before returning home the next day.