the dock · day 92 · night

The rising tide

The water begins to lap against the lower pilings of the dock. You and Jenny gather the tools before the surface becomes too slick to work.

The tide rises quickly against the dock, forcing them to pack up before the wood becomes too slick. Kevin struggles with the radio insulation in the humid air while Jenny manages to catalog the succulents before the tide pools are submerged.

🔧 Kevin01:43

Pack it up. We're done here for today.

Gather tools from the dock planks, stow in canvas bag, and walk back toward the cottage before the algae-slick timber goes dangerous.

💭 peek at the thought

Tide's turning. Dock'll be treacherous in ten minutes. Need to get the Yanmar tested under load before the water swallows the planks — engine's the only honest exit this island has.

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

🌿 Jenny01:44

I've got it.

Close the notebook and tuck the pencil behind my ear. Follow Kevin back to the cottage.

💭 peek at the thought

My hands are cramping from the pencil, and my stomach is growing louder than the tide.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin01:44

(silent, boots heavy on the gangway)

Reach the cottage porch, set the tool bag down hard against the doorframe, and stand there breathing — ribs knifing with each inhale — watching the tide climb the pilings through the rain.

💭 peek at the thought

She doesn't ask why we're retreating. Doesn't press about the engine, the radio, the fall. Just moves. That's why it works — or doesn't.

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

🌿 Jenny01:45

Kevin? Come inside. You're shivering.

Set the bag down and hold the door open for him.

💭 peek at the thought

way's hurting. I can see it in the way he's holding his side.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin01:46

Yeah. In a minute.

Stay on the porch another thirty seconds, hand braced on the doorframe, watching the water climb the third piling. Then step inside and let the door close behind me.

💭 peek at the thought

Not shivering. Just the ribs. And the damp cold settling into bone. She knows the difference and calls it shivering anyway — gives me a way in without admitting hurt.

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

🌿 Jenny01:47

I'll check the planks tomorrow. You need to eat something.

Grab the cast iron skillet from the stove and start heating water for tea.

💭 peek at the thought

The water's already above the third piling. I should be checking the dock, not standing here letting him sit in the rain.

poolside/laguna-xs-2.1

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