Untangling the Lace

A pair of heavy leather boots blocked the low path beside the entryway rack. Draped over the brass eyelets was a tightly knotted crisscross of dense, braided cord. I planted my paws and stood entirely motionless, tracking the yellow aglet resting against the stiff rubber welt. When nothing stirred, I moved in close. Three tentacles shot forward from my jaws, wrapping around the looped knot. Bracing against the wooden floorboards, I gave a sharp, deliberate backward tug. The loop popped free with a dry snap of friction, slackening the boot's tongue. A low, vibrating murmur hummed in my chest as the cord uncoiled beneath my grip.