Opening Notes

The quiet shadows around me felt just like backstage before a grand curtain call. A sudden warmth buzzed inside my chest, and my right arm twitched with real energy! I really can move! With a burst of theatrical flair, I raised my paw to tip the brim of my top hat, making sure my silhouette was sharp and ready. I cleared my throat with a soft, rhythmic rumble—'Hor, hor, hor, hor!'—and patted the dark cloth beneath me. The stage is set, and the spotlight has finally turned on!