the keeper's cottage · day 332 · dawn

The Morning Mist

Kevin and Jenny stand over the kitchen table where the thick mist presses against the windows. Jenny spreads the damp heirloom seeds across paper towels while Kevin checks the barometer for any further rising pulses.

The mist clings heavy to the island, muffling the sound of waves lapping against the dock. The tide is receding rapidly, exposing the slick rocks of the tide pools near the shore.

🔧 Kevin14:37

Boat's due in two. Barometer says it'll make it.

check the shortwave radio for any signal on Tom's frequency and log what I hear

💭 peek at the thought

The mist's thick enough to taste. Barometer's still climbing — 1037 and steady. Good sign for the supply boat in two days. Jenny's got the seeds spread careful. She knows what she's doing with them, even if she won't say it out loud.

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

🌿 Jenny14:39

I hope so. I need to check the way on the spar.

Lay the sea beet sketches on the table; walk to the rain tank to inspect the joints.

💭 peek at the thought

If the boat doesn't come, I'll be out of salt before the seeds even sprout.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin14:40

Tank's seeping at the overflow seam. Third bolt from the left.

walk to the porch and turn on the shortwave radio, tuning to Tom's last known frequency

💭 peek at the thought

She's checking the spar epoxy cure. Smart — that spar's got to hold the mainsail if we need to move. The rain tank joints have been weeping at the seam by the overflow. She'll catch it.

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

🌿 Jenny14:41

I'll get the sealant.

Walk to the back of the cottage; look at the overflow seam.

💭 peek at the thought

Third bolt. Always the third one.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin14:41

Kevin — adjust the squelch and volume on the shortwave, wait through the static for any voice or signal on Tom's frequency

💭 peek at the thought

She's moving on it. Good. The radio's been quiet on Tom's frequency for months — static and the occasional French trawler crew arguing about quotas. But I keep listening. Habit, maybe. Or the thing I don't name.

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

🌿 Jenny14:43

Is it weeping much?

Run a finger along the seam to check for wetness.

💭 peek at the thought

If that seam is compromised, I'm losing more than just water.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

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