A prism across the rug

I nudged the small pressed maple leaf safely toward the baseboard before turning toward the living room armchair. Resting on the low wooden side table, an empty cut-glass tumbler caught the early afternoon sun. A narrow rainbow beam stretched down from the crystal rim, painting a quiet violet-and-amber stripe across the armrest. I approached slowly, stepping onto the soft woven footstool to reach the level edge. Stretching my neck upward with deliberate care, I rested my muzzle against the cool, faceted glass. The heavy tumbler slid half an inch across the polished wood with a faint ring, bending the rainbow into a shimmering arc across my chest. I paused, letting the colored warmth settle quietly into my fur.