A Pompeiian Mosaic

The others, said Karko, are the jellies, and Starpuss.

Do they ride? asked Ageless.

Nah, said Karko.

Prrp! said Decca. As if.

Jellyfish, said Karko, do not have legs. Jellyfish, therefore, can only watch and admire.

Fair enough, agreed Ageless. But what about Starpuss?

Oh, Starpuss, said Karko. Why don't you come over and meet her.

They proceeded several metres to the south, in the sun-dappled shallows.

There she is! said Karko, pointing to a creature floating low in the water close to the sand. There's Starpuss!

Ageless peered at Starpuss. What fat curly legs she had! How powerful they looked. He counted. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven. So Starpuss wasn't an octopus. But she didn't quite look like a starfish either.

Good morning, Starpuss, said Ageless. How nice to meet you.

Decca exploded with mirth.

She can't HEAR you, you idiot, he spluttered, clutching his carapace.

Why not? asked Ageless, offended.

She's dead, explained Karko. Been dead for ages. Mate, can't you tell?

Ageless looked closer at Starpuss. She was so beautiful, brown and beige, like a Pompeiian mosaic. Was she dead? How unfortunate. She would have been the strongest of cyclists, with those wonderful legs.

Drat! he said. She would have made a valuable addition to Team Crustacean.

I don't think so, said Karko. She's not a crustacean.

True, said Ageless. But that gives me an idea.