A shame. [ He shook his head, but his smile was, as well, fond. His fingers itched for his pipe, but he held off for the moment, out of politeness. ]

I met him around that time, after he started publishing and came in my circles. Met him through another author, actually. [ As Shade was wont to do, author groupie that he was. ] He was much different, when he passed, I think.

Everything having finally come to a head, and things had finally seemed to...catch up to him.