

## Exercise 1 

* Image 1: A strawberry-colored metal box
* Image 2: The smell of too-hot mossy tea


## Exercise 2

'''
Steam rising from dark tea
Lights blink on the aluminum box
Waiting quietly
'''

## Exercise 3

'''
Steam rising from dark tea
Lights blink on the aluminum box
Waiting quietly
'''

The need for caffeine trumps even the need to talk. First thing in the morning, before making any sound other than a yawn, I have to get the water boiling.

*Of course it's empty,* I think. My thoughts come to me as a grumble, but I'm too tired to actually form the words.

Fine. Fill the pot, turn it on, slouch against the counter, and wait. Across the room, the red and green lights of the audio interface wait patiently. The microphone stand, from this angle, covers up even the blinking power light of the monitor, still in sleep mode. Everything's quiet, even the expectant hardware.

The kettle starts to hiss, then murmur, then settles into a quiet rumble as the water comes to a boil. I'm sure I must have heard more that morning, but this feels like the first noise. The light surrounding the gain knob on the interface flashes with the sound of water being poured over tea.

Even as I sit at my desk, I stay quiet. It can wait a little longer.
