It is not long until his first victim wanders into his trap, though he is disappointed that the fae that arrives is not as entertaining as someone more dominant. However, he knew the figure of the one approaching, and the sound of his name quivering into existence from her maw brought his blazened face round sharply to face her. It had changed in the time he’d been gone, but it was still familiar enough to tickle his memory. Her chocolate and ivory frame met his eyes as he turned, luminescent emeralds on his face in what he assumed was concern. He hadn’t seen the expression in so long, especially in relation to himself, that he could hardly place it.

His own mercury orbs pinned onto her, the innocent butterfly in the glass frame as he debated where to pin her wings. But then he recalled how she’d been when they’d first met, and just like the times when he dreamed of Phaedra, Raeden, and Hotaru, he was unable to hold her in the same contempt as he did other people. She was one of the few he still held some emotion towards. ”Frost Fyre,” he purred softly, turning and jogging towards her on his long legs. Like a sinuous, crimson panther with a swaying tail he neared her, descending from the ridge with a half-smirk, half-smile. Far gentler than the cruel jagged smirk from earlier, it was at least an improvement.

It faded away into seriousness as she continued, voice worried and sad. ”Of course it’s me, do you know anyone else this handsome?” He gave that same boyish smirk he’d always had, winking at the little dame, wanting to erase the seriousness from the scenario. As for where he’d been...muscled shoulders shrugged easily as he neared her, reaching out to press his muzzle to her shoulder should she let him, still towering over her easily despite how much she’d grown. ”Here, there, everywhere. Look at you! All grown up! I’m going to have to start chasing frisky little colts away, eh?” he chuckled, a sound far deeper and manlier than before his absence, a hint of something dark lingering within it. Temptation. He was seduction, power, darkness, and control all wrapped up into one.

Frost seemed lost in thought, and Tolio circled around her a time or two, taking in just how much she’d matured. It made him feel old, even if he was still strong and youthful. Her attempt at optimism was rather saddening, a blatant sign that she did not like his change. Tolio paused in his rounds and stood face to face with the youngling. ”Life changes everyone, Frost Fyre. Not all results are pretty.” Shaking his head slowly to cast off the darkness that made him want to snarl defensively and show her that he was not ashamed of his change, that he was sick and tired of having been the flamboyant, weak-willed bitch he’d once been.

Giving a half-smile, the curve of his smirk still lingering as if he’d outgrown smiling somehow, he tried to lighten the atmosphere. He’d never stop being a mischief maker, even if his mischievous ways were now aimed on darker courses. ”So Frost, how have you been? Why’s the sun gone? Oh, what a shame nobody else missed me enough to come welcome me home!” He wailed dramatically, giving a short lunge and slamming his hooves into the rubble and snow in a spray of slurry, flinging his head despite the shortened mane upon his neck, turning and smirking broadly at the chocolate fae, winking and grinning wildly. Ah, it was good to be home.

A giggle swept out of her dark chocolate lips, her emeralds the only visibly sparkling attribute beneath the dark sky and pale silver lighting. They embraced briefly, and he could tell she was confused by his actions, which led to the stallion blanching. Good gods he wasn’t coming onto her! She was hardly off the teat, and was lacking the fun parts. Oh, females. He loved them, he really did, but they’d never get him hot and bothered like a stallion. Woah, Tolio, when did you become a pervert? Oh yeah, you always were. Whoops. Of course, lookit you! Geez you’re going to be as tall as me someday, he chuckled, despite the fact he was well into 17 hands.

There was really nothing to say to her softly hummed words as he circled her. Did she think this strange as well? Oh, no no no. Action-wise it may seem intimate, but he moved like liquid, prowling around her like a graceful feline. Ah, wait, so the Gods had left? If she declared the Moon Bitch as ‘returned’. Her gaze turned heavenward, to where the Moon Bitch shone bright. Moon Bitch isn’t my favorite God, gotta say. What she can do is decent, though, he huffed bluntly, uncaring if his words insulted anyone who may be listening. Which, it seemed, there was someone.

Tolio whipped round with a snarl on his lips, facing the dark unicorn mare that had stepped from the shadows, muscles tensed until he swelled to a much larger size, hating the fact she had been spying and that the cool winter winds had hidden her scent from him. Once he saw who she was, and recognized her Basin scent, he relaxed and dropped the animalistic expression from his face. Tolio looked her over, and hummed softly. No, we haven’t. The name’s Tolio. Yours? Might as well play nice, he scoffed inwardly.

And then oh, oh, oh! Finally, someone interesting! A smooth tenor rang out and Tolio’s ears pricked, a shiver dancing down his spine as he placed the voice as very much so masculine. Oooh, did he finally get a little play time? Turning slightly, it was a bit of a shock to see one so similar in appearance, but he did not let it show upon his face, merely quirking a brow in apathetic interest. The older male moved closer on lean legs, swaying and sliding in a delicious movement. Tolio smirked, winking, and turned to walk slowly, slowly, towards his apparent twin. Drama queen indeed, he purred, mercury eyes flashing with a dangerous, tempting fire. He wondered if this fellow was interested in 'playing' with that fire.

A laugh came from his lips as he queried over his flamboyance, and Tolio sauntered closer, leaning close to make it obvious he intended to get in his bubble, but not close enough to touch. Perhaps breaths would mingle at this distance, but nothing more. Flamboyant? Gorgeous, I’ll be whatever you want if you keep talkin’ like that. And for your information, Tolio gave a delicious little pause, sucking in a gentle breath akin to a gasp, gaze lowering in a faux demure fashion, glancing up through frost colored lashes. Yes, I must be. After all, I’ve always been known to be ah...loud, vocals coming out in a smooth, sexy purr that was much like dark chocolate and honey, temptation and sin all wrapped up in one. Turning, he easily slid away uncaringly, eyes alight with devious mischief that had always been his trademark even before his travels. Moving to Frost Fyre’s side once more, he pulled on her mane with his lips playfully, stretching languidly. So doll, any other hunks like that around since I’ve left? Was he having his little sister check out gay stallions for him?

Hell yes.

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.