Through Emerald Glass

Returning to the study desk with the river-smoothed shard, I set to work without delay. A newly acquired tool requires immediate calibration before it can be relied upon. Positioning the frosted green glass directly over the cataloged index card of silver-green lichen, I tilted the pane toward the pale afternoon light slanting through the casement. The emerald tint muted the glare instantly. Beneath the frost, the intricate rhizines on the underside stood out in sharp, darkened relief, their delicate branching far more distinct than under direct daylight. Flawless clarity. An improvised filter, perhaps... yet remarkably efficient.