Intricate Creature

Gaius and Kant have arrived at the Waitpinga car park.

Phew, says Kant. How did I do?

Very well, says Gaius. But tomorrow you may have sore muscles.

I'll know why, says Kant.

There's Katherine's car, says Gaiuis.

They wheel their bikes over.

The car is empty, but for a towel on the back seat, and a suitcase. 

Is it locked? asks Kant.

Gaius tries all the handles.

Yes, it's locked.

That means I can't get to my suitcase, says Kant.

They'll be down on the beach, says Gaius. Sweezus no doubt has the key.

He squints into the distance.

I see them down there with Terence, says Gaius. Let's go and meet them. 

Kant suppresses a cough.

Would you prefer to wait up here? asks Gaius. 

No, says Kant. I'll come with you. I'd like to join in.

Excellent, says Gaius. Perhaps you can handle the thermometer.

Certainly, says Kant. 

They wheel their bikes down to the sand.

It soon becomes clear that the two surfers with Terence are strangers.

Hello, says Gaius.

Look! says Terence. A horse leafy! And I stepped on a dead fish so that's number one.

Indeed, says Gaius. And I see you have been making new friends.

Yeah, says Fritzy. I'm Fritzy. 

Whitey, says Whitey.

They're keeping an eye on me, says Terence.

And why is that necessary? asks Gaius, looking out to sea and seeing the answer.

Sweezus and Arthur have caught the same wave and are riding it in.

Sweezus had to, says Terence. Arthur was coughing.

There are TicTacs in Katherine's glove box, says Gaius.

Arthur's already got them, says Terence.

That's the last we'll see of the TicTacs, says Gaius.

Kant coughs again.

But I'm sure I can come up with an alternative, says Gaius.

Sweezus splashes out of the water, followed by Arthur.

How are you, Arthur? asks Gaius.

Okay, says Arthur. 

He choked on some TicTacs, says Sweezus. So I had to go in.

Well, we're all here now, says Gaius. And it appears Terence has found a dead leafy sea dragon.

Horse, says Terence. 

Kant looks closely at the dead leafy sea dragon or horse.

He coughs again.

Its leafy parts move in the breeze he has created.

Such an intricate creature.

He has always considered that the beautiful may be small.