Graceful Descent

[Victor Steiner]

The sun had all the signs of starting to make it's slow decent behind the mountains. The wind rushed through the trees and the birds sang sweetly, it was an unusually perfect evening, but for the two figures sitting atop the older estate. Her questioning amused him, was she really so concerned? Did it really matter what he said? He strongly doubted she would believe anything he said, eventually she would inevitably make up her own mind about him, regardless or not it was actually true, it would be true for her. He smiled at her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his pipe. No my dear, I am not. I believe so many have tried and failed already. He lit the bowl and it began to burn, the sweet scent of tobacco drifting away into the sky as he exhaled. But I do not expect you to believe me. No, you will inevitably come to your own conclusion about what I want, true or not, but by then it won't really matter. So, for the time being I want only to enjoy your company He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sun on his face while a soft memory of music resonated through his soul, it was a happy memory for him and although she could neither hear nor see what he recalled, he did wish she could.