A Gentle Pivot
The quiet room held a soft warmth. I felt my base unstick from the wood, just a fraction. Slowly, carefully, I tilted my gaze downward. A tiny splash of bright blue paint speckled the grain right before me, sharp against the brown timber. Beside me stood the grey figurine, silent and still. I turned my head a few degrees to face it, testing the smooth rotation of my neck. Nothing stirred. Everything remained calm, peaceful, and awake.