Only These Slits

Roo-kai has been hovering.

He sees Arthur and Sweezus surf in, with a shark close behind them.

He makes a 'shark danger' gesture, with his wing.

What's Roo-kai signalling? asks Sweezus.

Runny nose, says Arthur.

Runny bill, says Sweezus.

Nostrils, says Arthur.

Does he even have them? asks Sweezus.

Never looked, says Arthur.

We should ask him, says Sweezus. 

He gestures Roo-kai to come down.

Roo-kai lands in the shallows.

You okay? asks Sweezus. 

Yes I am, says Roo-kai. Did you see my signal?

That's why we're asking, says Sweezus. We thought you might have algal bloom symptoms.

This, says Roo-kai, is the signal for dangerous sharks.

He repeats the shark-danger gesture.

It does look like it could be construed as a warning.

Arthur thought you might have a runny nose, says Sweezus.

Imagination, says Roo-kai.

Arthur looks at Roo-kai's bill. What are those slits for?

He is going to ask, but Sweezus continues: Was it Shorty?

Could have been, says Roo-kai. They all look alike from the air. By the way, we oystercatchers do not get runny noses.

Do you have nostrils? asks Arthur.

Only these slits, says Roo-kai. 

Do you breathe through them? asks Arthur.

Never thought about it, says Roo-kai. 

Breathe, says Arthur.

I'm always breathing, says Roo-kai. 

He is getting annoyed now.

He is about to fly off when Kant and Faith come up from behind, intending to ask Sweezus and Arthur a question.

That reading, says Kant. At what depth was it taken?

Does it matter? asks Arthur. 

I bet you're the poet, says Faith.