Original Smell

The maratus has stopped dancing.

He is uncertain.

Why did he agree to come back to the campsite?

What had Lavender predicted? Eggs and vanilla? What does that mean?

There were no eggs and vanilla in the reed hole.

Lavender has been transferred to Gaius's pocket, so the maratus is alone with his thoughts, and has no one to enlighten him about eggs and vanilla.

It will turn out not to matter.

Gaius has arrived at the campsite, minutes after Arthur and Sprocket have returned.

On the poncho are heaps of smoked products, honey cured bacon, smoked Portugese chicken, smoked rainbow trout, and bourbon and maple syrup smoked salmon.

I see you've brought back some supplies, says Gaius. They must have cost a pretty penny.

No, says Sprocket. Arthur got them for nothing.

Always lucky, says Gaius. And did you remember the water?

We got mineral water, says Sprocket. My fave.

It's not everyone's favourite, says Elodie. Hello, Gaius, did you find them?

Yes, says Gaius. The scouting party returns, successful, having found a maratus cristatus.

Let me see, says Elodie.

Gaius places the maratus cristatus on the poncho, next to a pack of smoked salmon.

It's so cute, says Elodie. And so tiny. Where did you find it?

On Baby Pierre's head, says Gaius. He was bringing it to meet Lavender, to whom it has taken a fancy.

This news is a bit out of date.

How adorable, says Elodie. Look, Sprocket. Where's your phone? This would look great in your documentary.

Sprocket looks at Arthur.

Yes, it would, says Arthur.

Arthur's been helping me with it, says Sprocket. He has heaps of ideas.

It needs them, says Elodie. It was kind of disconnected. Let's have a look at it later, but right now we should store this food somewhere.

Not so fast, says Gaius. I feel peckish. I think I'll open the salmon.

It is packed in tight plastic. A knife is required.

Arthur produces one. It is one of the two from Gaius's kitchen, still encrusted with blood.

Disgusting, says Elodie. Go and wash it.

It's Shu's blood, says Arthur. He might want to wash it. Where is he?

Setting up the sleeping arrangements, says Elodie. Did you notice we have a rooftop tent?  It sleeps three to five. No one'll have to sleep in the HiLux.

Arthur sees into a future where Shu is curled up behind him, sighing.

And an alternative future, where he spends his nights alone in the tray of the HiLux, looking at stars.

Gaius has tired of waiting for something to be done with the knife.

It's only Shu's blood after all. He slashes the plastic and eases out the salmon.

He is the only one eating, for some reason. There is quite a lot left.

Elodie fetches the tin which smells of eggs and vanilla. It will do for the rest of the salmon.

But that is the end of the original smell.