Vivian remained seated, his eyes unfocused, as the woman kept playing.
Her eyes stayed closed, her fingers moving with calm and care.
Every motion felt natural, as if the music flowed through her without effort.
The leaves of the great tree swayed gently, brushing against one another and adding soft sounds that blended with the melody.
Even though it was night, darkness did not exist here.
A gentle light filled the space beneath the tree.
Fireflies hovered in the air like small stars.
Insects stopped their noisy calls and instead stayed still, as if listening.
Birds rested on the branches, their heads tilted toward the sound.
Even the wind seemed careful not to disturb the moment.
Vivian felt himself sink deeper into the music.
The world around him faded away.
The forest, the tree, even his own body felt distant.
Only the music remained.
It wrapped around him, slow and steady, like calm water flowing around a stone.
Yet something felt strange.
