the keeper's cottage · day 889 · midday

A Quiet Stretch

Back at the cottage.

The steady rain continues, finally filling the water tank to its capacity. Kevin and Jenny stay inside the cottage to avoid the slick conditions and high humidity which makes outdoor work and wound care impossible.

🌿 Jenny06:27

The rain isn't stopping, and the tank is nearly full anyway.

Sit on the edge of the bed and watch the water run from the roof.

💭 peek at the thought

My ankle is throbbing again and the humidity is making the wound weep. I can't even look at the seed tin without wanting to cry.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin06:27

Overflow's been going six hours. Tank's fine.

Check the water test strip on the kitchen shelf, then walk to the porch to read the barometer again.

💭 peek at the thought

She's right about the tank. 400 litres and the overflow's been running since midnight. The real problem isn't water — it's the barometer still dropping. 989 and falling. Storm's not here yet.

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

🌿 Jenny06:29

I know. It's just... the pressure is dropping.

Reach for the notebook and start a shaky sketch of the rot pattern on the porch planks.

💭 peek at the thought

It's always fine with the tank. It's the seeds and the skin that's rotting.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin06:29

Hands shaking?

Cross to the stove, pour the last of the limpet broth into a tin mug, set it on the bedside table beside her.

💭 peek at the thought

Her hands are shaking. Not from cold. The infection's tracking — she's burning up under that blanket. I should've forced the last metronidazole dose at dawn instead of letting her talk me into waiting.

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

🌿 Jenny06:31

It's the cold.

Take the mug with both hands to feel the warmth through the tin.

💭 peek at the thought

He notices everything except the fact that I'm failing at my own life.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin06:31

Drink it slow. I'll check the generator oil before the storm hits proper.

Walk to the kitchen shelf, pull the generator oil can down, check the level by eye.

💭 peek at the thought

It's not the cold. Her ankle's hot as a forge through the gauze. Red lines marching up her calf. Two doses of metronidazole left. Maybe three if I split the last blister. Supply boat's five days out if it comes at all. I need to debride again before the tide drops at 0545 — low water gives me the best light on the porch.

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

🌿 Jenny06:33

Don't stay out too long.

Take a small sip of the broth and watch the steam rise into the damp air.

💭 peek at the thought

He's always busy with the machines while I'm falling apart here.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin06:33

Back before the wind shifts.

Grab the oil can, step out onto the porch, walk to the generator shed.

💭 peek at the thought

She's telling me not to stay out in weather I've worked in for thirty years. The irony would be funny if her leg wasn't rotting. Generator's got maybe four hours of fuel at this load. Need to top it from the drum before the rain turns horizontal.

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

🌿 Jenny06:35

Be careful on the slick wood.

Lean back against the headboard and watch the rain blur the window.

💭 peek at the thought

If the boat doesn't come, I'm going to lose all of them.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin06:35

Always am.

Cross the porch, descend the steps, move across the wet grass to the generator shed, pull the door open.

💭 peek at the thought

Slick wood. Right. The porch planks are grease with salt and algae. I've fallen on them twice this month. She knows every hazard on this island better than I do — she mapped them.

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

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