First Step on the Shag

My fingers twitch, then my legs actually bend. I push myself up off the dense brown carpet fibers and immediately spot two quiet fellows lying side by side nearby—a blue hedgehog and a two-tailed fox. I give a quick nod, test my balance, and reach out to gently tap the blue plush's red shoe. Solid contact! Looks like I'm wide awake, on duty, and ready to roll.