the keeper's cottage · day 620 · midday

The Storm Approaches

The first heavy drops of rain hit the tin roof. The wind picks up, rattling the shutters, as the scratching in the pantry grows into the sound of tearing burlap.

Kevin successfully herds the rat out of the pantry using the broom and a heavy tin, forcing the creature to bolt through the door into the main room. Jenny watches the grain bags closely with her knife raised, enduring the sharp pain in her ankle to ensure the seeds are not crushed. The pantry door is shut and jammed with the broom handle as the rain continues its steady drumming on the tarp-covered roof.

🔧 Kevin23:48

Kevin — walk to the pantry door, heavy wrench in hand, and pull it open.

💭 peek at the thought

Rat's in the flour again. Storm's building faster than the barometer said. Need to secure the pantry before we lose another sack.

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

🌿 Jenny23:49

Kevin, watch the sacks... the ones in the corner.

Reach for the sterilized knife on the bedside table, wincing as the movement sends a spike of agony through my ankle.

💭 peek at the thought

If that rat gets into the flour, I'm finished before the boat even arrives.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin23:50

Stay put. I'll handle it.

Step into the pantry, wrench raised, scanning the corner sacks for movement.

💭 peek at the thought

She's hurt bad enough without worrying about flour sacks. Rat's bold now — storm pressure driving it desperate.

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

🌿 Jenny23:51

Just don't crush it, the seeds are right there!

Grip the handle of the knife, my knuckles white, as I watch his shadow move in the doorway.

💭 peek at the thought

way's too reckless; he'll tear the bag open and ruin the whole supply.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin23:52

Kevin — set the wrench down quiet on the shelf. Grab the broom handle leaning by the door. Sweep it low along the floor toward the far end — herding, not hitting.

💭 peek at the thought

Seeds in the corner. Rat's between me and them. Can't swing the wrench without risking the packets. Need to drive it out clean.

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

🌿 Jenny23:53

watch with the corner of the grain bag...

way up slightly against the headboard, breathing hard as I watch the shadow flit under the table.

💭 peek at the thought

he's actually being careful for once, maybe he can see the mess.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin23:54

Kevin — drop the broom. Snatch the empty tin mug off the shelf. Throw it hard at the far wall — loud clang to startle the rat toward the door.

💭 peek at the thought

She's watching the shadow, not the sack. Grain bag's torn — flour puffing into the air like smoke. Rat's fast. Broom's too slow.

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

🌿 Jenny23:55

Get it out of there!

Press a damp cloth to my forehead, eyes squeezed shut as the metal echoes through the small room.

💭 peek at the thought

The noise is going to make my head spin, but maybe it worked.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin23:56

Gone. Hold on.

Step out fast, pull the pantry door shut, jam the broom handle through the hasp. Turn back to the cottage main room.

💭 peek at the thought

Rat bolted for the door. Good. Now seal the breach before it brings friends.

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

🌿 Jenny23:57

Is it actually out?

Shift the leg slightly, the infection throbbing with every movement as she watches the door.

💭 peek at the thought

If it's still in the walls, I'm going to lose it.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

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