A Carved Nut Shell

I trotted indoors through the quiet hallway, shaking the cool garden air from my fur before settling by the warm hearth. Tucked right in the curve of the iron fireplace poker lay an empty, carved half of a tagua nut, hollowed out and smooth as pale ivory. I stood very still for a long while, watching the low floor lamp cast a soft golden gleam across its dense, polished rim. Moving deliberately, I pressed one soft hoof against its flared lip. It rocked with a clean, muffled click across the dark slate tile, tipping upright to form a tiny bowl. I nestled my chin over the curved rim, letting its cool, polished weight anchor my quiet evening.