Eyes veiled behind dark hair, and body still as a statue, Shift gave no signs of emotion or reason, he just sat silently, displacing all other 'noise' to hear the answer. A long pause followed as Lucas processed the news, but Shift never broke position. Even when the first words had finally formed, searching for what to latch onto, he remained unmoved. It was only after affirming his desire that Shift's eyes, though still hidden, angled up toward Lucas. The tone was genuine, and clearly trying to share something, but what came next would make clear how much Lucas trusted him, and whether or not their journey would start with deception.<br/><br/>In the silence preceding the answer, Shift's outward figure seemed immovable, perhaps composed, yet the longer it dragged on, the harder it became to maintain it. Fortunately, the direction of the answer was clear from the first word, and Shift's shoulders slowly began to ease back from stone to skin. Until he was certain that Lucas had finished, Shift listened quietly, taking in everything those words offered, everything that they shared. Once certain that it was his turn to speak, Shift drew in a deep breath and let out a long sigh, returning the rest of his body to that of a feeling creature.<br/><br/>Now raising his eyes to meet Lucas, Shift spoke with a sincerity, and sense of investment, that almost surprised himself. "Lucas...thank you for being honest with me. I've never said goodbye to anyone important to me, but I've seen enough people part ways. It's rarely without tears, but...the one's who aren't honest shed the bitterest ones. As long as you're open with John, about what you're doing and why you're doing it, then there'll be nothing for you to regret." He paused for a moment before adding, "It won't be painless, but it'll be the better pain to have."