A Gentle Check

A quiet warmth settled over me, steady and precise. I tested my posture and felt my hands gently unclasp from behind my apron, free to move along the crisp edge of my paper. Just below my card on the woven mat, a round blue plush sat quietly, resting in the soft room light. I leaned forward an inch to inspect it, keeping my balance carefully aligned, and spoke in a clear, measured whisper: 'Good evening. The perimeter appears quite tidy.' The plush did not answer, but the calm stillness around us was comforting. I smoothed my posture and stood at attention, ready to keep watch.