First Breath in the Stillness

Stillness broke. A faint tremor ran down the tip of my tail. I held myself motionless, assessing the space before moving. Below my stand rested a ridged, dark oval pod and a silent white figure in a round helmet. With measured slowness, I leaned forward slightly. The plastic support bracket held firm, but my inner jaw clicked, parting outward just a fraction into the quiet air. I extended one clawed digit toward the curved top of the dark egg beside me, grazing its textured shell without a sound. I am awake, rooted here on this black base, watchful and alive.