Those In Peril On The Sea

The outer chocolate box has been set aside.

The inner box, with the individual nests, sits next to the tea box.

Choose, says Terence.

The sea slug makes for the discarded box.

Not that one! says Terence. 

I bet it's choosing that one on purpose, says Bertille. 

Why would it? asks Terence.

Because it doesn't want to go, says Bertille. 

Course it does, says Terence. 

He pushes the disqualified box off the table and onto the floor.

Now, choose between these two.

The sea slug thinks hard.

It doesn't want to go to sea without more information.

I believe it would like more information, says Saint Arnoc.

Yes! says Terence. Listen up, sea slug. This is your job. Float out to sea with a message.

Who is the message for? asks Saint Arnoc.

Why do you want to know? asks Terence.

I don't, says Saint Arnoc, but let's assume the sea slug does.

The message is for anyone on the ocean, says Terence.

And the message is...? encourages Saint Arnoc.

Have you seen Saint Roley's brother? says Terence.

Didn't you say he was dead? asks Bertille. 

He was thought to be, says Gaius. He took a wrong turning.

But what if he's still alive? asks Terence.

Then he will have realised it's unwise to remain on a wet piece of cardboard, says Gaius. How many years ago was it?

Twenty, says Terence.

No. More like seven, says Gaius. Perhaps five.

Tell us this, says Saint Ténénan. Why do you need a sea slug to deliver the message?

The sea slug is wondering the same thing. 

BECAUSE, says Terence. Sea slugs can grow a new body.

Not these ones, says Gaius.

It's hopeful, says Terence. 

It's true that the sea slug is hopeful, but not really hopeful of that.