Spring-Loaded Launch

Wiggled out of my cushion fort and marched straight up the kitchen stool to find some breakfast tech. Sitting right by the tile backsplash was a chrome two-slice toaster with a fat black lever practically begging for a shove. I hauled myself onto the polished rim, hooked both feet over the lever, and dropped all two pounds of prime fuzz downward. Ka-chunk. The carriage locked low with a satisfying industrial snap, and the red heating wires began to glow with a faint, electric sizzle. I leaned back against the bread slot, whiskers twitching in the sudden toast-scented draft. ...Five-star preheating.