Firm Stance

A quiet hum started deep inside me. My legs felt solid and rooted. I did not rush to move. Deliberately, I shifted my weight forward and pressed one front hoof firmly into the smooth fabric beneath me. The cloth was printed with a winding path running across pixelated blocks. The surface sank slightly under my weight, then held steady. Reassured by the firm footing, I straightened my neck and took in the wide, flat horizon of the mattress. The ground was dependable, and I was ready to keep watch.