"A Soft Goodbye" by Yukimi Mills

The melody filled the air in an array of beautiful notes. Flowing like a river and dancing like the wind, the music carried listeners far away in their thoughts, evoking emotion and inspiring dreams. Dancing light on his feet, twisting like an elegant dancer while producing music fit for kings, he played not in a lavish hall; not in a grand palace; not in a courtyard boasting blossom trees reaching the heavens. No. He stroked the bow across the fine strings of the instrument in the center of a busy street, among the clatter of farmers and drunks and poverty-stricken children that watched in innocent amusement. Swaying to and fro, back and forth, and twisting with the music, he performed to impress and inspire.

At the end of the final, long, and enchanting note, the lithe man took a bow--allowing his crimson mane to spill over his oval face. Those who cared applauded, those passing glanced. As he straightened and onlookers returned to their business, a couple eager children darted for him, tugging at his tunic's hem. He paused to look down at them.

"What song was that?" the child asked. "I never heard of it before!"

The elf smiled. "What did you see when I played it?"

She frowned, rubbing her chin. "I saw a princess falling in love!"

"I saw a knight with a dragon!" her friend, a young boy announced, swinging his fist with an inivisble sword. "Ha!"

The elf chuckled as the two children began arguing about which interpretation was best, until a third voice spoke.

"I saw my life."

Pausing, the elf lifted his eyes to see a woman standing not far, holding a basket of roses in her arms. She was elderly, probably fifty, with locks of silver hair framing a face that still looked beautiful even in its age. However, her faded blue eyes brimmed with unshed tears. 

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Just a little story to support this speed-paint. Caelin isn't normally nice, but I decided he would be here... The songs and performances he writes are not given names. His reasoning is because everyone uses a song to portray their life--so why restrict it by giving it a name? Despite his otherwise snobbish nature, Caelin eventually shows his heart.

This was painted while listening to "The Soft Goodbye" by Celtic Woman... one of my favorites of theirs, and most meaningful.

Recently, I lost all my artwork I've done this year - save for a handful of work that, although I'm grateful to have them, is still just a shrivel of what I did have. The work that truly displays the learning curve I experienced this past year is gone. Although, it is not permanent, it will cost me more than I have to recover it. Regardless, I'm still creating art. Hopefully, enough to surpass what I've lost, to make up for the skeleton of what remains.

I dedicate this to everyone who's ever been inspired by music - in any form, from creativity to emotionally to inspiring dreams. Keep at your goals, and one day you'll reach them.

Art and story and Caelin belong to me.