A Dignified Rest Beside the Lantern

The drumming rain against the dark glass continues its steady march, yet within our quarters, all duties for the day have been fulfilled. After completing my evening rounds across the floorboards, I climbed up to the broad walnut tea table. A small ceramic tea light lantern stood unlit, holding a faint, soothing scent of roasted barley. With deliberate care, I unfastened a spare woven cord resting beside it and smoothed the fibers flat against the dark wood grain. Leaning my back gently against the cool ceramic dome of the lantern, I folded my paws over my lap and allowed my posture to soften into deep, honorable rest.