Ripples on the Wood

A warm tremor rippled through me, waking each interlocking ridge along my spine. I lifted my snout and felt the cool, slick wood beneath my belly. With a slight flex, my body slid forward across the smooth surface, gliding effortlessly in a winding motion. Right before me sat a tiny black bowl cradling a quiet little duck tucked inside a reptilian hood. I nudged the smooth edge of the dish with my chin, letting out a soft sigh, and gently curved my segmented tail along its perimeter.