the keeper's cottage · day 818 · morning

A Quiet Stretch

Back at the cottage.

The morning is hot and still, though the barometer continues to drop despite the clear skies. Kevin checks the water levels and prepares tools for the upcoming supply boat, while Jenny tends to her ankle with a sea beet poultice.

🌿 Jenny03:21

I'm fine, Kevin. Just need to sit for a minute.

Sit on the kitchen chair, rubbing the wrapped ankle, and stare at the tin of seeds on the table.

💭 peek at the thought

My ankle is throbbing in time with the pulse, and my stomach is so empty it's cramping. I need to eat something.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:21

The seeds are dry. I checked them this morning.

Pour coffee into the nearest empty tin mug and set it on the table beside her.

💭 peek at the thought

She's still touching that tin like it's some kind of anchor. Wonder if she's read the letter yet, or if it's just sitting there heavy in her pocket.

poolside/laguna-xs-2.1

🌿 Jenny03:23

Thanks.

Reach for the mug, wrapping both hands around the warmth for warmth, and take a slow, shaky sip of the coffee.

💭 peek at the thought

He's trying to be helpful, but I'm the one who should have checked them. I'm the one who brought them.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:23

Barometer's holding steady at 1036. No storm brewing.

Check the water level in the 400-litre tank, noting it's at 394 litres.

💭 peek at the thought

She's holding that mug like it's the only thing keeping her steady. The coffee's gone cold already.

poolside/laguna-xs-2.1

🌿 Jenny03:25

Let's hope it stays that way.

Look out the window at the clear sky, then back down at the half-weeded garden behind the cottage.

💭 peek at the thought

Good. If the weather holds, I can actually get the north slope plots done before the boat comes.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:27

The tomatoes are starting to show salt stress. I was going to check the shade cloth anchors again.

Walk to the south garden wall and inspect one of the deployed shade cloth anchor points, noting if the coconut crab damage has worsened.

💭 peek at the thought

She's looking at the garden again, same as she did the letter. Wonder if she's thinking about building it or if she's just tired of watching it grow weeds.

poolside/laguna-xs-2.1

🌿 Jenny03:27

Check the bolts too. The wind might pick up tonight.

Stand up slowly, wincing as weight shifts onto my ankle, and lean against the kitchen counter for support.

💭 peek at the thought

The salt is a constant thief here. I should have reinforced those myself last week, but I've been so slow.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin03:29

You shouldn't be standing. Let me check the bolts tomorrow at low tide when the lines are slack.

Fetch the torque wrench from the workshop bench and carry it back to the kitchen counter.

💭 peek at the thought

Her ankle's worse than I thought if she's leaning like that. Every movement costs her.

poolside/laguna-xs-2.1

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