First Pulse

Heat stirred along my spine. My claws flexed against the dense weave beneath me, unfreezing joint by joint. A click escaped my throat as my torso pivoted. Across the fabric ridge stood another figure, frozen mid-swing with a miniature axe. I tilted my head, low and calculating, before darting one claw forward to test the tufted fabric button near my foot. The hollow dent yielded under pressure. Satisfied that my limbs obeyed, I settled back onto my haunches, watchful.