Pure Speculation

The botanists float towards Terence.

Terence spots them.

Hey! shouts Terence. Come here!

They draw even closer.

Terence sploshes into the sea.

You're not meant to come into the water! warns Jean-Botanist.

I launched you! says Terence.

He did launch us, says Carl-Botanist.

It's not even deep here, says Terence.

He picks up the botanists in their Nachoos, and plods back to shore.

Why is your mouth blue? asks Jean-Botanist.

It isn't, says Terence.

It is, says Carl-Botanist. We thought you might have stopped breathing.

I wouldn't turn blue if I stopped breathing, says Terence.

What colour would you turn? asks Jean-Botanist.

I would stay the same, says Terence. Like always.

You should look at yourself, says Jean-Botanist. Your mouth's blue.

It's blueberries! says Terence.

He has eaten a few.

We thought you were only allowed red drinks, says Carl-Botanist.

Blueberries are like red drinks, says Terence.

Except they're blue, says Carl-Botanist. Did you swallow the solids?

I spat them out, says Terence. I'm okay. How about you?

We've made progress, says Jean-Botanist, but we've come back to ask Gaius a question.

Let's go! says Terence.

He caries the Nachoos and botanists up to the campsite.

Gaius and Denis are still at Faith's tent, eating blueberries.

Back already? says Gaius.

They have a question, says Terence.

What is it? asks Gaius.

What does Karenia cristata look like? asks Jean-Botanist.

Faith swallows a blueberry.

Have you been looking for it? asks Faith. 

Yes, says Carl-Botanist. We know it's round and small and ....

Possibly green, says Jean-Botanist.

But that's pure speculation, says Carl-Botanist.

Based on what, as a matter of interest? asks Gaius.

Lettuce, says Jean-Botanist. Call it a hunch.

You may be correct, says Faith. 

She takes out her phone.

Yes, says Faith. Here is an image of Karenia cristata, greatly magnified.

She shows the two botanists the image.

It looks like a small leprous pea. Green with touches of yellow and purple.

Okay, a pea, not a lettuce. 

But predominantly green!