Temporary? Zelgadis' eyes clamped shut tight, tight as the fist he clenched as the word sounded. It had been awful the first time around, having what he'd searched for snatched away, leaving him back where he'd begun. To consider he was just going to have to endure it all over again...

"Can't," he uttered, teeth gritted. Not again. Not ever again. He dug the heel of his hand into his eye, turning away with his shoulders hunched up. He managed a rattled "No," after some breath, working to level out again. No, no. See that – as if that was his choice!

Showing up didn't mean he wanted that. He had just wanted to be done.

"Not again," he muttered, dragging his hand away and letting it settle on the back of the chair with the other, turning to face forward with a dark, stony expression.