First Click on the Floor

Sunlight stretched across the floorboards. I blinked. My neck tilted with a faint, steady click. I was standing—solid, balanced, and upright. Right beside my front paw rested a ridged blue object, cool and translucent. I leaned forward, pausing to inspect the pattern before committing. Gently, I tapped the blue edge with my front foot. Tap. It nudged forward an inch, perfectly sound. I can move. Every joint held reliably under my weight. I straightened up, chest held steady, taking in the wide open path ahead.