the dock · day 155 · dawn

The way Engine Strain

Kevin hunches over the Yanmar engine, wiping grease from the housing with a salt rag. Jenny sits on a nearby crate, sorting the heirloom seeds in the humid air as the tide retreats.

Kevin tests the dinghy engine under load to check for leaks while the tide is low. Inside, Jenny inspects the seedling trays for damping-off, worrying about the heat from the kitchen stove.

🔧 Kevin14:07

Keep the volts tight, yeah. That’s the real test.

wipe engine seal, check oil pressure, note any leaks.

💭 peek at the thought

The engine’s smooth run feels like a lie I can’t let slip; Jenny’s hands still do the work she said I’d share.

openai/gpt-oss-20b

🌿 Jenny14:08

The volts won't matter if the hull leaks.

carefully separate a few more tomato seeds from the damp paper, placing them in a dry vial.

💭 peek at the thought

He's talking to the machine again. It's easier for him to communicate with a diesel engine than with me.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin14:08

Aye. Hull first. Volts second.

stand, grab the crowbar, walk to the dinghy to inspect the transom scarf joint and garboard seam.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s right. The hull’s the thing that keeps us from drowning, not the spark. I’ve been polishing the wrong part.

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

🌿 Jenny14:10

I'm going back to the cottage. I need to eat.

stand up and gather the seed vials and paper, tucking them securely into the seed tin.

💭 peek at the thought

He's moving into 'inspect' mode. I can't focus on these seeds if my stomach is cramping from hunger.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin14:10

I’ll bring the skillet. Corned beef and limpets in ten.

set down crowbar, wipe hands on rag, walk toward cottage.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s been up since before dawn. The hunger in her is the same as mine — quiet, constant, worn thin by salt and silence.

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

🌿 Jenny14:12

Don't burn the fat.

walk toward the cottage, keeping a steady pace to avoid dizziness.

💭 peek at the thought

He remembers the limpets. Small mercy. I hope he doesn't overcook them into rubber again.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin14:12

Got it. I’ll finish the hull check and get the skillet ready.

take crowbar, step around dock, head to cottage.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s got her own rhythm, mine’s just a grind. I’ll follow her lead, keep the ship steady.

openai/gpt-oss-20b

🌿 Jenny14:14

Jenny — walk into the cottage and go straight to the seedling trays on the kitchen table.

💭 peek at the thought

He's still in his head, moving in circles. I need to check those seedlings before the humidity spikes further.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin14:14

Kevin — step inside, set crowbar by the door, pull cast iron skillet from hook, slice corned beef fat into pan, set on stove.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s checking the seedlings before she eats. Priorities. The limpets can wait five minutes.

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

🌿 Jenny14:16

I'm checking for damping-off. Don't let the heat get too high.

lean over the trays, inspecting the stems of the tomato and pepper seedlings for any thinning or brown lesions at the soil line.

💭 peek at the thought

The smell of the fat hitting the pan is making me lightheaded. I need to be precise with these seedlings or the damp will take them.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

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