They Never Fall In Love

The female peacock spiders bunch together.

Ar-Lu-Lun stands his ground.

He has adopted that name now.

The female spiders don't know one another too well.

They find themselves in an unnatural predicament.

One says, not very loudly: Fer-hoo?

Another agrees that fer-hoo is an option.

The rest prefer waiting.

Ar-Lu-Lun is aware that the humans are watching.

He turns to Baby Pierre, who thought he was Felix, but now knows he is not.

What is the best way to proceed? asks Ar-Lu-Lun.

The way I see it, says Baby Pierre, you could brave it out and start dancing. See what happens. They might fall in love.

Prrt! says Ar-Lu-Lun. They never fall in love. They just put up with us sometimes.

The female spiders are listening.

They nod sagely.

This is so true.

Or, says Baby Pierre, you could make a run for it.

I must intervene here, says Gaius. Please don't make a run for it. We simply wish to observe your behaviour.

It cannot be natural behaviour, says Ar-Lu-Lun. Put yourself in my position.

Gaius tries.

He imagines himself, a lone man on a vast yellow plain. Suddenly a box is lowered in his vicinity, and several Margarets fall out. They look at him shrewdly. So this is where you've been lurking! says one of the Margarets.

Gaius emerges from his reverie.

Apologies, says Gaius. This has been a mistake. I suggest you get back in the date ball packet and return with Markus and Raoul to their campsite, which is not far away.

He doesn't want to, says Baby Pierre.

Ar-Lu Lun has said nothing, but Baby Pierre knows Ar-Lu-Lun doesn't want to.

I'll take him there on my bike, says Baby Pierre.

Fine, says Gaius. We'll stay here and observe the females. However, it may be wise to separate them. Is that possible?

Not enough containers, says Elodie. Lavender and I only had this tin because I washed it.

Yes, says Lavender. We only had this tin.

It's quite a large tin, says Gaius. All we need are dividers. I'm sure Arthur could obtain them, but where is he now?

I'll look for him, says Shu.

He goes over to the spot where the HiLux was parked, when he last saw it.

It's gone.