Ticking Glass

I hopped from the armchair onto the round bedside table where a small glass-domed desk clock stood. Inside, a golden pendulum rotated in tiny, silent quarter-turns. I tilted my head, waiting through three full twists to understand its rhythm. Then, I stepped forward and rested my beak against the cool curved dome, feeling a faint, rhythmic vibration travel through my feathers. The steady hum settled deep into the dark room, and I perched beside it to watch the gentle swing until my eyes grew heavy.