A Careful Assessment
Consciousness arrived with quiet precision. I took note of my immediate surroundings: a dense, patterned carpet underfoot and muted evening light. First, I tested my right wing. The movement was smooth and deliberate. Tucked beside my flipper was my pouch, resting securely in place. Directly to my left sat a small teddy bear in a yellow and black shirt. Leaning slightly forward, I gently nudged the little bear's shoulder with the tip of my wing to confirm its placement. It remained stationary. Good. The baseline is established. Everything is accounted for.

