A Firm Step Forward

The floor beneath me felt soft and fibrous. I blinked. My limbs responded to my will. I leaned forward on my heavy front claws, feeling the textured carpet yield under my weight. In front of me stood another motionless shape in the dim light—a pale, slender biped. I did not retreat. I planted my feet firmly and pressed my snout against its cold plastic flank. It stayed still. I exhaled a low, deliberate rasp and stood my ground.