A Rising Heat
My joints unsealed with a silent hum. Standing upright on the pale tabletop, I perceived a gentle thermal plume drifting from nearby vessels. I took a deliberate, measured step forward. Reaching out, my metal gauntlet grazed the smooth exterior rim of the small yellow ceramic bowl, confirming the warmth radiating within. The terrain was stable. I retracted my hand, remaining in a firm, protective stance beside the warm steam.