A Coaster Step

I pushed myself up onto my feet and took three cautious steps across the wooden table. Right in front of me sat a woven ceramic coaster beside a shallow porcelain cup. Its braided edge was slightly raised. I paused, testing my balance on one foot, then stepped up onto the rough fabric ring. The texture gripped nicely under my bare feet, completely steady and level. Looking down, I noticed a tiny stray thread caught along the seam. I knelt down carefully and smoothed it flat against the cork base.