Tolio felt like a lost puppy, trailing after the dark golden image of Phaedra. He was simply unable to comprehend any of this. Leander was famous, and a gentleman at that though it was said so with scorn in the Basin. As much as Tolio wanted to get revenge for his dearest Phaedra, he was unable to see why she was acting this way. He had never seen her so bitter, so suddenly and abnormally hateful. Where was the beautiful giggling girl he'd met on the beach? The one who'd listened so kindly to his concerns? Joked with him about finding his perfect match? Tolio was blind to the love of others, thought that Phaedra knew he was Bi at most and definitely interested in males, so why would he ever suspect she loved him? 

Anger swelled up inside her like a monster wishing to break free, and she spat out terrible words in her rage. It was a shock to know Leander and Faelene were together and he glanced at her curiously. He certainly didn't mind, merely wishing she would be careful if it was true. He would always support her in what she did, and the message shone clearly through his eyes. Through Phaedra's however was a different story. She was a completely different creature now, wild eyed and furious in a way Tolio had never seen nor suspected of her. It scalded him down to his very soul to watch the emotions change on her face. Accusing him, hating him for doing something he didn't know. Was she jealous of his relationship with Faelene? Her tears only encouraged his own to appear. It was agonizing. Tolio wished to run to her, to comfort her. But what could he say or do? He didn't even understand what he had done so terribly wrong, to make her cry such tears. Legs locked and refused to move as thin body shook with silent sobs. 

Knees weakened and he slumped. "P-Phaedra...wh-what did I do? I-I'll fix it, I pr-promise!" Right when he felt as though he could stand no longer, would literally crawl on his knees for forgiveness, support came to his side in the form of Faelene. Her face pressed gently to his, and now his tears streamed the both of their cheeks. Leaning on her as long as she remained. "Fae-Faelene..." Whimpering her name brokenly as she spoke, feeling as though she was the dam keeping his flood of panic and distress at bay. She moved ahead of him, a protective force of black that he wouldn't dare mess with. Pressing his face weakly against her flank, dotting it darker with the tears that fell from his eyes. 

Faelene's words were cutting, sharper and more collected than Phaedra's wild lashes. Tolio mumbled weakly in protest against Faelene's side, but could not muster the composure to actually say something. Phaedra had hurt him too deeply, and he needed Faelene now to protect him from further harm. He could no longer do it himself. 

Desperate for him? What? Tolio let his face rise a little in confusion, wondering what that could possibly mean. A sound of curious bewilderment escaped him, a pitiful strangled noise but one nonetheless. When Faelene ordered her to leave, Tolio could not summon anything in protest. It was as if every drop of spirit had been poured out of him, and he was nothing but a fragile shell. Big heart bleeding with the wounds Phaedra had left.