Bruce didn't wait for the second photograph, instead catching it on it's way to the floor. Just seeing the boy's face again, without the contortions of pain, tugged the corners of Bruce's mouth upwards. 

Bruce forced his eyes closed. It was too easy to tune out what Shaidra said with their likenesses in hand. 

He realized that, random or not, nothing that came out of her mouth was an original thought. The line about what she wanted, the knowledge of every dimension, reminded him too much of Yzeira. Her voice changed just a little, gaining the slightest bit of life, before she returned to being a soundboard.

He looked at her, finally, after she'd moved to the pews and regarded her hands.

[color=0072bc]"Even if it is pointless, there's nothing inherently wrong with futility,"[/color] Bruce said. [color=0072bc]"Even if your search is futile, to do so is to make your own meaning. Whether or not you [i]find[/i] it shouldn't stop you. I've never really liked the meaning of giving up. And Shaidra-"[/color]

Bruce didn't fight the upturn of his lips when he looked at the photograph again, tracing the edge of it with his thumb.

[color=0072bc]"The best time to smile is when someone tells you to stop."[/color]