A Sudden Tap

Wait—my toes? They actually twitch! I blinked, tilted my head forward, and gave a sharp little hop right on this cool, glossy counter. *Click-clack!* My claws made the neatest little rattle against the smooth surface. Then I leaned in close, gave the hard mottled wall behind me a quick, curious nudge with the very tip of my open beak. Solid! Completely real! I rocked back onto both feet, wings spread wide, taking in the huge quiet room.