The thermostat demanded pets.
This was not announced, but it was obvious.
Whenever the humans approached it, they reached out carefully and touched it several times in a way that was unmistakably affectionate. They spoke to it softly. Sometimes they sighed afterward. Sometimes they waited to see how it would respond.
The thermostat accepted this.
Then Pebble noticed that the air misbehaved.
A wind appeared indoors. It moved without warning. It arrived from walls. It brushed her face and left without explanation. Pebble stood very still and let it pass, offended by its lack of introduction. Mohg seemed unbothered.
Did the thermostat command the inside wind?
Pebble climbed onto a chair to bring herself to its level. She stared directly at the small white rectangle. It stared back without expression.
Pebble waited for it to say hello.
It did not.
The humans returned and touched it again. The thermostat received this calmly, and more wind was sent into the house.
This confirmed Pebble’s suspicion.
The thermostat was alive. It accepted pets. It issued commands. It controlled the air.
Pebble barked at it firmly.
The thermostat declined to respond.
Pebble waited longer. She barked again, louder. She requested acknowledgment. She requested basic courtesy.
Nothing.
Mohg lay down fully on the floor, warm and untroubled, watching as though negotiations were proceeding as intended.
Eventually, the wind softened.
The house settled.
Pebble stepped down from the chair and lay beside Mohg, close enough to share whatever warmth had been granted.
The thermostat remained silent.
Ignoring Pebble.
Rude.
