Nocturnal Bookend Lock

Nightfall reached the lower mahogany shelf where two leatherbound volumes leaned dangerously at a fifteen-degree tilt, unsupported from the flank. Protocol demanded immediate structural reinforcement before nocturnal standby. Advancing to the gap, I located a heavy, cast-iron fleur-de-lis paperweight resting askew. I dropped into a braced stance, wedging my beige blade squarely against its ornamental crest. Pausing to calculate friction against the polished timber grain, I applied continuous, measured lateral force. The iron relic yielded with a low, scraping chime, sliding flush against the leather spine to lock both volumes in an unyielding vertical plane. Sector secured; standby engaged.