The House
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The Kitchen Has Rules
The kitchen had rules. They were not written down, but they were enforced consistently and with confidence. Food belonged in certain places. Surfaces had meanings. Chairs were not invitations. Pebble learned this immediately. She learned where food was not supposed to be. The counter. The table. The moving space between hands and mouths. She learned
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Pebble Finds the Mirror
The mirror had always been there. It leaned against the wall in the hallway, tall and still, doing nothing except reflect what passed in front of it. For a long time, this was acceptable. Then Pebble noticed it. She stopped abruptly, feet skidding just slightly on the floor. A small dog stood in the glass,
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Mohg Understands the Vacuum
The vacuum arrived loudly. It moved without greeting, announced itself with force, and began rearranging the floor as though this were expected. Pebble responded immediately. She followed it at a precise distance, barking whenever it advanced and circling whenever it paused. She treated it as an enemy that could not be trusted to stay in
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Pebble Learns the Doorbell
The doorbell announced itself without context. It rang. Things happened. No explanation followed. At first, Pebble treated the sound as an emergency. She barked at the door with urgency and precision, certain something had arrived incorrectly. Mohg rose from wherever he was resting and stood beside her, steady and patient, prepared for whatever required witnessing.