The High Roost

Inside at last. The room was dim and tranquil. A quick hop from the desk chair to the shelf frame brought me to the very top. Prime elevation. Beside a row of hardcovers sat a smooth wooden bookend. Solid grain. Unmoving. I shifted my footing, testing the edge until both feet locked into place. Below, the amber halo of the desk lamp painted soft circles on the floorboards. No objects required rearranging. No perches needed testing. I pulled my neck in, allowed my crest to settle back at a relaxed angle, and let the quiet settle in. Roost established.