As always, Jezem arrived to his counseling appointment right one time. Dressed in nice silks and gold bangles inlaid with gems and other precious things that clinked together with every subtle motion. He forwent any greeting to slide into his usual chair and took several moments to arrange himself into a comfortable seated position. Uncharacteristic silence hung over him as he played with one of the many rings on his fingers, pondering his dull faded reflection in the shine of a pearl inlay.

Too many thoughts tangled together in his head. Too many scattered and broken reflections that could never become the whole image. A world of unknowns filled the empty spaces between. The rage and anger that held him together fizzled into ash and smoke and in their absence allowed him see the burn marks left behind. Jezem stared at the broken, jagged pieces of himself. Contemplated the scars and corruption and came up empty. Himself a puzzle whose pieces changed shape and no longer matched the image of what it was to represent.

Jezem waited for the counselor to speak first.

Jezem