A Moment Too Soon

It has been a long night.

But now it is morning.

Is it morning? asks Terence.

Yes, says Gaius. And not a moment too soon.

What if it was a moment too soon? asks Terence.

Then we would have a problem, says Gaius. 

Would the baby skates know? asks Terence.

That is part of the problem, says Gaius. Did the morning come a moment too soon for every creature, or just you and me?

And my parrots, says Terence.

What's this about? asks Little Mystic.

What time do you think it is? asks Terence.

Morning, says Little Mystic.

A moment too soon, says Roo-kai. 

Interesting, says Gaius. 

What is? asks Terence.

I just meant, it's still raining, says Roo-kai.

Curses, says Gaius. 

He pulls the wet blanket aside and looks out at the rain.

Ah! fine weather is coming, says Gaius.

Can we go now? asks Terence.

I need to do one or two things first, says Gaius. 

He gets out of the pullalong and disappears behind a tree.

He comes back, minutes later.

The rain is easing.

Now I'll just grab an apple, says Gaius. Then we'll go. Where's Terence?

He's gone ahead with Little Mystic, says Roo-kai.

We must try to catch up, says Gaius. I don't have full confidence in Little Mystic.

Little Mystic is doing his best, says Roo-kai.

A bit too keen to please Terence, says Gaius. But you've been a good mentor.

Thanks, says Roo-kai.

Terence and Little Mystic have arrived at the spot where the baby skates are to hand over Terence's skateboard.

What if they don't know it's morning? asks Terence.

Why wouldn't they? asks Little Mystic.

They live underwater, says Terence. 

They'll know, says Little Mystic. 

Okay says Terence. Where are they?

I'll fly out over the water, says Little Mystic. When I see them I'll wave.

How? says Terence.

Like this, says Little Mystic, waving a wing.

He flies out over the water.

He looks down.

He sees Terence's skateboard, heading for the shore, with no baby skates on it.

They'll be underneath, thinks Little Mystic.

He drops down and lands on the skateboard. 

Why not cadge a ride?

He waves a wing at Terence who is standing in the shallows, watching.

Suddenly the skateboard flips and Little Mystic disappears underwater.

Terence takes a step forward...

..and loses his balance.

Wah! Sploosh! Squelch-squee!