Initial Bearing

My joints clicked. I lifted my head from the dark wood planks and tested my front paws against the smooth surface. The floor was firm. Directly ahead stood vertical wooden banister posts lining an open drop. I pushed upward into a low crawl, advancing three inches toward the nearest post. I extended one forepaw and tapped the base of the timber. A dull resonance confirmed solid structure. Perimeter verified. I lowered back down on the boards to maintain watch.