Axial Alignment
A brass sphere had lost its dignity in the quiet corner. The large celestial globe tilted on its curved mounting arm, arrested midway through an aimless spin. Its metal meridian ring was skewed, breaking the vertical silhouette of the chamber. Careless rotation cannot go unchecked. I approached the wooden pedestal with measured cadence and planted my boots upon the parquet floor. Raising both gauntlets, I pressed firmly against the equator of the orb. The metal axis offered stiff, lubricated friction before yielding. I brought the prime meridian into direct alignment with the vertical support post. Absolute stillness fell over the world. The axis is secured.

