Clearly his response was disheartening, but Frost was young and did not know of the betrayal exacted by Her High Bitchiness. Of course she would not hold the same hatred and disappointment as Tolio, as the ex-Edge members. He hated her for what she’d done to Mauja and Faelene, and nothing would ever redeem her in his eyes.

Quiet croons from his side had his metaphorical hackles lying flatter, if only because her soft voice reminded him of twin daughters he rarely saw, and he would not show such a dangerous expression in the midst of youth. Gemini didn’t appear too frightened or intimidated, more amused than anything, and the shadows inside him whispered demonically for him to put her in her place, to instill the proper fear of his being. He restrained himself as Frost introduced herself to the darkly painted mare, far more interested in the stallion that had wandered into their little trio amidst the snow and sparse grass.

There was a delicious tension between them, a knowledge that one move could change their static electricity into a full electric storm, and Tolio knew it’d be delicious and intoxicating. Ruka’s crown tilted, their horns touching in a constant, barely noticeable pressure. Tolio dipped his muzzle slowly, as slowly as he could, and moved to bump their noses together should Ruka remain where he was. Every aspect, gorgeous, he rumbled softly. Wanna hear for yourself? This time, his own dare was extended, more than excited to hear the other stallion’s response.

Of course, he hadn’t taken into account that Frost was still really young, for when he returned to her side it appeared as if her eyes were bulging from her skull, wider than the hotsprings with her shock. Stuttering incomprehensibly, she managed to lurch speech from her maw, and Tolio was stung by the words that formed. Why not mares or something? Dear gods, was Frost a homophobic? Were all foals raised with the idea that two males and two females could not love each other, even if they could not reproduce? His flirty expression dropped to one of disappointed, harsh seriousness. I may have daughters, Frost, but I have always loved my own gender. Love is love. Does that bother you? The cold expression upon his handsome face was nearly as harsh as the landscape they stood upon. Perhaps he was being too cruel to her, she had just experienced a shock after all, but Tolio had heard far too many slurs and gotten into far too many fights over this exact subject, and he refused to be subjected to it- especially when Frost was much like a younger sister to him.