A Firm Footing

The quiet hum in the room settles, and a sudden warmth fills my paws. I pause, surveying the flat, polished surface beneath me before deciding to shift my weight. My front paw lifts steadily, then presses down with quiet certainty against the smooth dark wood. Right beside me, the smaller lion cub plush sits perfectly still. I gently extend one paw toward him, nudging his side with calm reassurance to see if he shares this stirring. He stays resting, but the ground beneath us feels steady. I am here, standing watch over our ledge.