[center][color=BC8F8F][i]That's two more. Putting me at...[/i][/color]

 The quiet young man thought for a moment, counting his recollection on extended digits. His shadow had faded, along with the distortion he had brought into Lightbridge, leaving him to wander and wonder for a moment. 

 [color=BC8F8F][i]Fourteen. Pretty great number. Still might not be enough.[/i][/color]

 He let his hand fall and turned his attention to his destination, again. Currently, he tread an alleyway; accompanied only by the echoes of his steps and his slumbering shadow. [color=BC8F8F][i]Must be tired. Poor guy.[/i][/color] He didn't smile, but felt the urge rising. Thoughts of Eufi danced between thoughts of his current and future. [color=BC8F8F][i]She was soft and smart and sweet. I kinda miss her, already.[/i][/color] 

 When she and Dave were discovered, their case would be much the same as the preceeding twelve. [color=BC8F8F][i]I wonder if it's still a big mystery. Two a week, for the last seven. All their things stolen, but no fingerprints or visible wounds.[/i][/color] Had he not swallowed his smile, it would have spread wide. [color=BC8F8F][i]Alive, but empty.[/i][/color] He slid his hands into his pockets, sticking close to the wall. 

 [color=BC8F8F][i]Let' see...[/i][/color]

 He knew where he was going, but almost always took a different route. Making it to the north side of town usually took time, but his pressing business for the night had been taken care of; though he doubted he would be forgetting Eufi and Dave for quite some time. The stroll was leisurely, a half-moon throwing down pale light from on high when incessant clouds allowed. It was comforting in its desolation, a perfect blend for the alchemy of emotions boiling beneath. 

 His fingers traced the edge of his adumbral implement, feeling the low purr of its satiation. [color=BC8F8F][i]It's going to be so sad, later.[/i][/color] His shadow stirred at the thought, staring at the world around him. [color=BC8F8F][i]Hey, buddy, good morning![/i][/color] It never ceased to amaze him how well synchronized the two were, despite the nature of their attachment. The way his vision seemed to sharpen and widen when it was awake. Outside of their 'bubble', the melding of their senses was minute. When he brought his warped vision forward, however, he could [i]feel[/i] through his companion...and much, much more. It was part of why he would remember Eufi so well. 

It would never respond, and the quiet young man knew that it was incapable; but it was pleasant to converse with, even though the action often felt closer to simply speaking to himself. Just as it stared, he was sure that it listened. That it cared. 

[color=BC8F8F][i]Who else do I really have to talk to, right now? I've still got that thing to do, but it's going to take a few minutes to get where I'm going. It's a little bit past midnight, so there's no reason to rush.[/i][/color]

 He shrugged, understanding that his sloth might prove problematic; in a small way. 

 [color=BC8F8F][i]It doesn't matter, though. Came and went, right on time. Like clockwork or something. Maybe I'll stop and get some food, on the way. How long's it been since I've eaten, anyway?[/i][/color]

 That reminded him of the cards in his pocket. The various fund-funnels Eufi and Dave had been carrying. He wouldn't be using them. He never did. That would be a big give away. Instead, he would broach the subject of their disposal with a trusted source. He would deplete his own paltry funds by way of celebration.

[color=BC8F8F][i]I should probably pick up something extra. Don't want to be rude.[/i][/color][/center]