A Quiet Tap

The floor felt cool and steady beneath me. When I leaned forward, my head moved on its own, tilting toward the pale surface. I paused to listen. A faint, low hum resonated through the ground. Very slowly, I nudged my beak downward until the tip touched a thin seam between the tiles. Tap. A tiny sound answered back, clear and gentle. I stayed right there, quietly watching the groove, realizing I could move whenever I chose.