Head Of Slugs

Jean-Claude and Mathilde arrive.

Where is Rusty? asks Mathilde.

Getting an ice cream, says Terence.

With a stranger! says Bertille. But I didn't want one.

Very sensible, says Jean-Claude. At least you are safe, ma chérie.

And me, says Terence.

And you, says Mathilde. But we should be looking for Rusty. Which way did they go?

To the otter trail, says Terence.

Terence thinks the stranger's an otter, says Bertille.

And why does he think that? asks Mathilde.

Because he is, says Terence.

Did he look like an otter? asks Jean-Claude.

No, dad! says Bertille. If he looked like an otter he couldn't have tricked Rusty. He was wearing a long black coat, and his eyes gleamed.

And he said kawai, says Terence.

Jean-Claude and Mathilde are no less worried now the stranger might be an otter.

Right, says Mathilde. We'll head to the otter trail. They're sure to be there.

But Gaius won't know where we are! says Terence. And what about the penguins?

I'll message him, says Mathilde.

However, there is no need.

Gaius appears, with an Oceanopolis official, and the elysia, in its container.

All's well, says Gaius. 

Not quite, says Jean-Claude. We've lost Rusty. But we think he's with an otter.

Then all's not well, says the Oceanopolis official. Was it a European otter or a sea otter?

We don't know, says Mathilde. It was wearing a long black coat, and saying kawai.

Kawai? says the Oceanopolis official.

Are you an otter? asks Terence.

Of course not, says the Oceanopolis official. I work here, as Head of Slugs.

He is extremely interested in the elysia, says Gaius. It has already sprouted an incipient lateral parapodia, with what look like red spots.

That's great, says Jean-Claude, but shouldn't we head for the otter trail?

We'll go to the sea otter pool first, says the Head of Slugs. Even if your lost friend is not there, you will enjoy the mischief and tricks of the otters.

Excellent! says Gaius. 

They all trail out of the Polar Pavilion.

Looks like Terence has missed out on seeing the penguins.