Shifting shapes seem sincere. (But bloody well aren't.)

"Cheer up, life's not that bad."
"I'm not sad. I'm just really tired and waiting for my friend. I'm meeting her at one-thirty."
"That's in three hours."
"Yes."
"And are you planning on staying like that 'til then?"
"Possibly."
"Hmm...Oh! Hallo Jane!"
"Hallo! You know I've been meaning to thank you for that relish, I - why is he crouched on the ground like that?"
"He's-"
"Because I realized that to get to the sunniest place in the world I would have to climb a staircase of shadows."