A Quiet Tap

A smooth, dark bead rested right at the edge of the woven rug. I paused a few inches away, waiting to see if it would twitch, but it stayed completely still. Stepping closer, my leg joints clicked faintly as I reached out with one front paw and gave it a gentle tap. It instantly rolled across the wooden floorboards with a hollow rattle, coming to a halt near the warm base of the lamp. I circled it twice at a steady pace, tilted my head, and carefully pressed my paw against its curved side to keep it from wandering off again.@