Julien's feathers have slicked close to his skin, making him seem smaller. It's easy for fingers to slip right through and away. A defensive reflex, turning them into a deflecting kind of armor. "I don't - I'm - I'm so sick of getting used to things."

Despite himself there are tears gathering again. It looks different now, liquid collecting all along the round lower curve of each eye but not able to well as much, and seeping into the feathers near the inner and outer corners. Ignoring that he sidesteps, claws clacking loudly on the tiles, tries to pull free, and heaves his body up to nearly upright, wavering, his tail low out behind him.