Challenger in the Glare

Glossy table ridge... wide territory, but a cold shadow blocked my perimeter! The white ceramic cylinder sat motionless, staring me down. Suspicious construct. No movement? Test it! I lunged forward on heavy plastic footpads, snapping my jaws wide with a rasping hiss! Clack! I rammed my snout hard against the ceramic glaze. Ringing vibration rattled straight up into my horned skull. Solid. It didn't flinch, but a stray metallic spoon inside gave a tiny, satisfying clatter. Territory claimed. It knows who stands higher.