Thermal Standby

I stepped down from the outer terrace sill, navigating the recessed aluminum track to cross back inside. The exterior draft cut out instantly. Across the living room floor, morning light cut a warm, angular band over the low-pile woven rug. I advanced four paces into the illuminated perimeter and lowered my stance, locking my knee actuators into a grounded crouch. My dark alloy plating absorbed the direct solar radiation, steadily driving out the damp chill accumulated from the overnight watch on the railing. Heat transfer remained uniform across my central frame. Locomotion suspended. Standing by in recalibration mode.