A Firm Tap

A flicker of warmth stirred in my limbs. I tilted my head, eyes focusing on the wide dark wooden surface beneath my feet. Right in front of me ran a tiny, deep groove in the grain. Curious, I leaned forward and tapped the wood with the tip of my beak—*thud*. A sharp chirp escaped my throat. My legs held sturdy, firmly planted right where I stood, feeling the solid wood resonate.