A Firm Foothold

Silence settled across the smooth white surface. I held my stance, testing the tension coiled in my joints. Slowly, I flexed my right hand, easing out of the fixed clench. The faint friction against the tabletop sent a clean vibration up through my boots. Behind me, the worn wooden frame stood quiet. I took one steady step forward, grounding myself firmly against the white expanse. Balanced. Ready.