morsure, An engraving on steel. A great horned owl perches above the gate of a deserted hilltop garden, its body facing outward while its head turns toward an approaching traveler. The traveler stands near the bottom of a short stair, carrying a walking staff and looking up at the bird. Their posture should communicate a silent exchange rather than fear. The owl is larger than a natural owl but retains a convincing body, folded wings, gripping feet, and layered feathers. The gate itself is simple and partly open, revealing a path between cypress trees and a distant circular pool. Moonlight reaches the upper steps and the owl's face, while the garden beyond remains subdued. The surrounding wall follows the slope and has enough visible thickness to feel built rather than drawn as a single line. Keep the sky spacious, with a few clouds crossing below the moon. The scene should feel like the instant before permission is granted, a folktale threshold where an animal's attention carries an authority that requires no crown, weapon, or inscription.