Station at the Hearth

I guided my treads across the parquet toward the raised slate hearth of the fireplace. The cut stone riser offered an immovable barrier against drafts. Beside the masonry stood a heavy cast-iron firedog with clawed feet. I lowered my chassis into a reinforced crouch, testing the clearance beneath its curved iron flank. My armored back aligned flush with the cold brick mortar. Extending both gauntlets, I nudged a dense square chunk of split firewood firmly against my left tread, anchoring my chassis against lateral shift. With solid stone behind and forged iron above, I engaged my knee locks. Systems dialed to low idle.