the old shrine · day 536 · night

The tide holds high

The overcast sky darkens, and the water reaches the lowest shrine stones as the air grows heavy with the scent of rain.

Kevin and Jenny have returned to the cottage as the tide rises to swallow the lower stones of the shrine. Jenny leans heavily on Kevin, her ankle throbbing despite the salt poultice and fresh bandage. The air is heavy and still, signaling more rain as the barometer continues to drop.

🔧 Kevin01:15

Jenny — tide’s rising fast at the shrine. I’m heading back now. Keep the poultice on and stay off that ankle.

walk back to the cottage via the ridge path, keeping to higher ground as the water advances.

💭 peek at the thought

The tide’s coming in faster than I thought. Water’s lapping at the shrine stones — names worn smooth by salt and time. I should’ve checked the moon tables this morning. Jenny’s still at the cottage, ankle throbbing, but she’d want to know the tide’s cutting off the path back. I’ll move quick.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny01:15

I'm coming. Just a minute.

Wince as the debrided skin meets the salt, then wrap the ankle tightly in the clean cloth and limp down the ridge.

💭 peek at the thought

He's always worried about the tide, but the infection is what's actually moving.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin01:17

I’ve got you. Lean on me if it’s too much. We’ll make the cottage before the water cuts the low path.

slow my pace to match hers, shoulder ready to support her weight as we move down the ridge toward the cottage.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s pushing through the pain — again. That cloth wrap’s tight, but she’s moving. I’ll meet her halfway, take some of her weight if she needs it. No point in both of us getting cut off by the tide.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny01:17

I can walk. Just... slow.

Lean my weight against his shoulder, eyes fixed on the dry earth as we navigate the slope.

💭 peek at the thought

If I can't get back now, the seeds will just rot in the tin.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin01:19

(nothing — just match her pace, keep my shoulder firm under her weight)

walk with Jenny down the ridge, watching our footing on the wet grass, ready to steady her if she stumbles, eyes on the cottage roof ahead.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s not asking for help, but she’s taking it. That’s more than she’s given in weeks. The salt’s in the air now — first drops hitting the leaves above us. We’re not far from the cottage, but every step counts with the tide coming in. I’ll keep my silence steady, let her focus on her footing.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny01:19

Almost there.

Shift my weight to the good leg, gritting through the sharp heat in my ankle as we descend the ridge.

💭 peek at the thought

The water is coming for the shrine, but the rot is coming for me.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin01:20

(nothing — breath steady, presence firm)

continue walking beside Jenny, slowing slightly as we reach the cottage threshold, prepared to take her full weight if her good leg gives out on the final steps.

💭 peek at the thought

She’s hanging on by will alone. The cottage’s in sight — smoke still curling from the chimney, the door ajar where we left it. One more stretch of open ground, then the stone path. I won’t speak. Won’t break her focus. Just be there, solid, if she falters.

nvidia/nemotron-3-super-120b-a12b

🌿 Jenny01:21

We're inside.

Step over the threshold, letting the cool air of the cottage hit my burning skin as I lean heavily against the doorframe.

💭 peek at the thought

If I don't get inside, the salt and the damp will finish this infection.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

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