A Ring of Reflected Lanterns

Dusk settled across the water, turning the fountain surface into an unblemished black glass. The distant courtyard lanterns sparked to life, dotting the dark pool with orderly beads of light. I stepped onto the lowest dry stone shelf, testing the firm rim with my heel. Floating near the stone wall was a clean, discarded silver foil wrapper, tightly folded into a neat square. I reached down, retrieved the metallic plate, and laid it flat across the edge where water meets limestone. The foil instantly caught a lantern reflection, doubling its gleam across the basin. Leaning against the curved masonry wall, I settled in to watch the perimeter of quiet light.