Weight and Balance

Joints locked. Then... unlocked. I angled my head forward. The carpet fibers yielded beneath my feet. Resistance registered. I extended my left hand. Reached out. Fingers contacted the hilt of the broad silver blade planted beside me. The grip fit. I tightened my hold. Pulled upward by two millimeters to test the mass. Stable. Balance achieved. I released the grip and stood firmly braced against the frame behind me.