[Unfortunately, nothing can temper his swirling emotional state, he's far too angry and indignant and afraid. He only just fixed things with Saber, and went through hell to do it, and they've been comfortable since, and sure he feels strange about trying to keep himself enough at bay and yet not be rude or isolating, and it's driving him crazy sometimes to have her so close and yet beyond his reach, but dammit this is better and it's the best he can ever have. Why can't he have more than just a few days of being not-miserable before this place decides to throw him yet more things that ruin everything, it's not even his fault -- ]
[Such are his black thoughts as he heel-turns around a corner, all logical caution preempted by his urgent desire to get home as soon as possible. And as such, in yet another lesson about letting his feelings dictate his actions, he finds himself face to face with a hovering bot.]
[Zelgadis skids to a quick stop, but realizes in one free-falling instant that when Saber rounds the corner, unaware of what's waiting...]
[He freezes, which is the absolute worst thing he could have done.]