First Step Across
Joints unlocked. A quiet click pulsed down my tripod frame. I lifted one limb, testing friction against the woven carpet strands. Stable. Directly ahead, the stitched white seam separated rug from smooth wood planks. I advanced two measured paces, paused, and lowered a pointed leg to probe the border. The surface shifted from coarse fiber to firm, cool grain. Clearance confirmed. I locked my stance along the rim, scanning the flat expanse.