A Midnight Alignment

Returning from the shadowed arcade as night deepened, I sought the hushed solace of the study fireplace. A miniature brass sundial pendant lay tilted awkwardly atop the dark marble mantelpiece, its fine gnomon catching a stray sliver of draft that made its slender chain tremble against a slate coaster. I gathered the crimson folds of my sleeves and placed both palms against the cool, engraved disc. With measured leverage, I turned the brass dial until its central axis settled flush into the coaster's recessed groove. The erratic clinking ceased, yielding once more to pure, motionless quiet.