First Stance

My joints locked into place, then suddenly loosened. A solid, prickly rough carpet beneath my boots. Straight ahead, another figure in red armor lay completely motionless. I didn't flinch. I tightened my fist, lowering my center of gravity, and deliberately nudged the metallic shoulder with the edge of my claws to see if it would strike back. It stayed down. Good. The perimeter is held.