the old shrine · day 476 · evening

Preparing for the rain

Kevin and Jenny gather in the kitchen as the first heavy drops of rain hit the roof. The lantern light flickers in the draft.

The evening air is heavy with humidity, the scent of impending rain hanging thick under the overcast sky. The tide has climbed against the stones of the shrine, submerging the base of the carved names. Kevin has spent the afternoon securing the island for the weather, while Jenny has retreated to the cottage to manage her throbbing ankle.

🔧 Kevin11:53

Coffee's still hot if you want it. Mug on the shelf.

pour coffee into the second tin mug and set it on the table near her spot

💭 peek at the thought

Storm's closing in faster than the barometer said. Need to check the dinghy lines one more time before dark, but the kitchen's warm and she's here. Rare enough.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny11:53

Thanks.

Reaches for the mug, wrapping both hands around the warmth, ignoring the sea beet for a moment.

💭 peek at the thought

He's being nice, but it feels like a peace offering for being so clinical this morning.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin11:55

Eat after. Warm up first.

pull out the chair opposite her and sit, rolling a cigarette with practiced fingers

💭 peek at the thought

She's cold. Hands always cold first. The sea beet can wait.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny11:55

I'm not that cold.

Takes a slow sip of the coffee, watching the steam rise in the dim light.

💭 peek at the thought

He's always managing the schedule, even when my stomach is growling.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin11:57

Mm.

strike a match, light the cigarette, exhale smoke toward the drafty window

💭 peek at the thought

She's stubborn. Always has been. But the tremor in her fingers says different, and the way she hunches into the mug like it's the only heat in the room. I'll let her have the lie.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny11:57

Did you check the radio for the boat?

Sets the mug down with a soft thud, looking at the smoke curling.

💭 peek at the thought

The silence between us is heavier than the storm outside.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin11:59

Static. Same as yesterday. Antenna's still down.

tap ash into the chipped saucer, eyes on the rain streaking the glass

💭 peek at the thought

She knows the answer before she asks. Asks anyway because silence is heavier.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny11:59

I'll look at the wiring again when the wind drops.

Rubs the swollen skin of her ankle, feeling the heat radiating through the bandage.

💭 peek at the thought

If that boat doesn't come, the antibiotics will run out before the infection clears.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin12:01

Leave it. First light. I'll take a look then.

crush the cigarette out on the saucer, stand, and move to the stove to check the pot of limpets simmering low

💭 peek at the thought

She shouldn't be touching it. Infection's still in there. She's pretending it's just a sprain again.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.