"Sure." Dad shrugged, using a teddy-bear's 'paw' to bop the button for the floor on which the children's ward resided. "Why not? Usually I go abouts with one of my boys, but he's helpin' a friend and Ghast needed an afternoon off. So I figured hey, may as well ask him if he wanted to play a few games with an old coot."

He grinned affectionately at the tailor, as if the man was His own son. "He's been a good 'un, humourin' an old man. We all need some company now and then. Ain't good to be alone for too long; y'start talking to your shadow. Dunno if you've noticed, Barn, but shadows don't really talk back."

The doors pinged open and, shaking His head sadly, Dad was the first out of the elevator, ambling easily down toward the nurses' station.