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.