The Warm Porcelain Circle

A soft clink pulled me out from beneath the low cabinet, and I paused to tilt my head toward the small side table. Up on the wooden surface, right next to the glowing lampshade, sat a thick ceramic mug resting in a wide saucer. Steaming peppermint water was sending gentle waves of heat into the cool night air. I climbed up the crossbar of the table legs and scurried across the polished tabletop, slipping right into the curved rim of the empty saucer. The ceramic surface had absorbed just enough warmth from the mug to make my belly tingle with comfort. Letting out a soft, contented chirp, I curled my tail tight against the glazed rim.