A Venerable Name

Welcome back, says Jean-Botanist. Did you like your ride in my Nachoo?

Is it only your Nachoo? asks Carl-Botanist.

It was made for me, says Jean-Botanist. 

It could use some improvements, says Carl-Botanist.

Like what? asks Jean-Botanist.

Like a storage area, for seeds, says Carl-Botanist.

Anything else? asks Jean-Botanist.

An anchor, says Carl-Botanist. 

Did it keep floating away? asks Jean-Botanist.

No, says Carl-Botanist. But it might have, without Ageless.

It couldn't go anywhere without Ageless, says Jean-Botanist.

A sail! says Carl-Botanist. Or an engine. Then I could go where I like.

You mean I could, says Jean-Botanist.

I mean we could, says Carl-Botanist. After all, we are brothers.

The cuttlefish babies are getting on well, says Gaius. 

They're fighting, says Terence.

What about? asks Gaius.

Improvements, says Terence. And whose Nachoo it is. And whether they're brothers.

Weighty issues, says Gaius. 

You should speak to them, says Denis.

I shall, says Gaius. 

He moves to a rock near the half submerged rock on which Jean-Botanist and Carl-Botanist are sitting.

Any questions? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Jean-Botanist. Could we two be brothers?

Not impossible, says Gaius. You were collected by Captain Baudin, in the same area. 

That doesn't prove anything, says Jean-Botanist.

Furthermore, says Gaius, you have both shown an interest in botany.

He only did because I did, says Jean-Botanist.

HE wanted to do mapping, says Carl-Botanist.

So did YOU! says Jean-Botanist.

I think we can conclude from this that you are brothers, says Gaius.

Jean-Botanist glares at Carl-Botanist, who glares back at his brother.

I hear you brought back some acacia seeds, says Gaius. Well done. Where are they?

Ageless has them, says Carl-Botanist. 

And that you are now called Carl-Botanist, says Gaius.

Ageless gave me the name, says Carl-Botanist.

A venerable name, says Gaius. 

As venerable as mine? asks Jean-Botanist.

Even more so, says Gaius. I mean... no...just the same.