What But Means

Now you ask a question, says Terence. 

Okay, says Little Mystic. 

He tries to think of a suitable question.

One to which the answer has to be cannot but skate.

What happens if you don't have a skateboard? asks Little Mystic.

That's a good one, says Terence.

What's the answer? asks Little Mystic.

Cannot but skate, says Terence.

Correct! says Little Mystic.

How's that correct? asks Surfing-with-Whales.

Because it's always the answer, says Terence.

Not to that question, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Terence looks at Little Mystic. 

It was his question.

Little Mystic attempts to explain.

If you don't have a skateboard, you can't skate, says Little Mystic.

Correct! says Terence. I don't have one, that's why I'm playing cannot but skate.

You guys don't know what but means, says Surfing-with-Whales. Cannot but skate means the only thing you CAN do is skate.

Everyone knows what but means, says Terence. 

Okay, says Surfing-with-Whales. What does it mean?

It means you might have to do something else, says Terence.

Give me an example, says Surfing-with-Whales.

That was an example, says Terence. You should go and do something else.

Gaius asked me to watch you, says Surfing-with-Whales.

Okay, says Terence. We're playing cannot but skate. And it's your turn.

Surfing-with-Whales hesitates.

Want some help? asks Terence.

No thanks, says Surfing-with-Whales. Here's a question that will make you both think. What if you DO have a skateboard?

Cannot but skate, says Terence.

Correct, says Surfing-with-Whales. Now do you see what I'm getting at?

Yes, says Terence. 

What was he getting at? asks Little Mystic.

A question, says Terence. Not as good as your question, but he tried.