First Scratch
Stiff. Then... not stiff. My arms moved. I clenched my fists and felt the blades shift in my grip. Solid. I took a hard step forward across the textured grain beneath my boots. Dropped my right arm down and dragged the tips along a shallow ridge in the wood. A dry click, followed by resistance. Good. Ground's firm, reflexes work, and I'm ready for whatever comes next.