Never At Peace

Gaius is pleased with the selfie.

So is Saint Roley.

Is that all? asks the dunnart.

Yes, says Gaius. We'll leave you in peace now.

I am never at peace, says the dunnart.

Is that because I'm here? asks the copperhead.

No, I am haunted by fire dreams, says the dunnart. And the loss of my babies.

Do you think you would benefit from counselling? asks Saint Roley.

No, says the dunnart. I would benefit from having more babies.

We all would, says Gaius.

What does THAT mean? asks the dunnart.

He means no one wants dunnarts to go extinct, says Saint Roley.

Or anyone else, says the copperhead. 

There is no one else, says Saint Roley.

What about me? asks the copperhead. Vulnerable. And it's worse now.

You misunderstand, says Saint Roley. No one wants anyone...  O, never mind.

Will you be going now? asks the dunnart. 

Yes, says Gaius. Thank you for your cooperation, and apologies for waking you. And sorry to hear about your babies.

They weren't real babies, says the dunnart. 

Well, sorry to hear that, says Gaius.

He turns to go. Saint Roley turns with him. The copperhead lingers.

Coming? asks Gaius.

The copperhead indicates that she will be along in a minute.

Gaius walks back down the ravine, past the forty two grass clumps.

Let's see that selfie again, says Saint Roley, hovering overhead.

Gaius calls up the selfie.

Gaius, Saint Roley, the copperhead, and the dunnart in the middle. 

It's good of everyone, says Saint Roley.

Which rarely happens, adds Gaius.

He decides to send it to Arthur. See what he thinks of it.

Arthur is at Remarkable Rocks.

Under the one that looks like a giant proboscis. 

Or a decayed tooth, take your pick. It looks like something. Whatever.

His phone buzzes. Gaius has sent him a photo.

What is it? Gaius and Saint Roley with a sly-looking snake and a marsupial with a slim pointed nose and square ears.

Probably a dunnart. It doesn't look happy.