Silent Foothold

Perimeter clear. I shook off the stillness and gave my tiny feet an experimental nudge. They moved. Real traction. The ground beneath wasn't flat stone; it was a dense terrain of pale, twisted carpet strands. Keeping low, I leaned an inch forward and pressed an arm down into the fluff. The soft yarn yielded without making a sound, muffling every vibration. Perfect cover. I steadied my balance, shifted slightly back against the dark textured weave behind me, and held position. Fully functional. Ready for whatever comes next.