Magic Word

It doesn't want me to do it, says Terence.

How do you know ? asks Ageless.

It's looking at me like it doesn't, says Terence.

Then it must want to die, says Ageless. 

It DOESN'T!, says Terence.

What's going on? asks Gaius.

Ageless kicked them all in the water, except this one and this one doesn't want to go in the water, says Terence.

I didn't kick them, I flicked them, says Ageless.

Gaius looks at the purple drying-out baby cuttlefish.

See? says Terence.

It needs water, says Gaius. 

But not big water, says Terence.

Put it back in the egg box, says Gaius. Then we'll dip it into the water.

Okay, says Terence.

He picks up the purple drying-out baby cuttlefish and places it back in the egg box.

Will you lower it in, Ageless? asks Gaius.

Carefully, says Terence.

 I'm always careful, says Ageless. He lowers the egg box into the water.

How will this work? asks Denis. The box will become soggy.

A temporary solution, says Gaius. 

The egg box fills with seawater,

The purple dried-out baby cuttlefish regains its shimmer.

Ageless lifts the egg box out of the water and places it on the rock beside Terence.

You're saved! says Terence.

 The purple less-dried-out baby cuttlefish stares at him with its usual imploring expression.

Now what? asks Terence.

It's still not happy, says Gaius.

Maybe it was born with that expression, says Ageless.

Captain Baudin comes over.

What do you think, Baudin? asks Gaius.

The others are starting to hatch, says Baudin. The croissant bag is splitting.

Then we must let them go, says Gaius. 

All that collecting for nothing, says Captain Baudin.

Nothing is ever for nothing, says Gaius. We have learnt a great deal today. 

Want me to take a  few photos? asks Denis, before they all swim away?

Wonderful, says Gaius. Good thinking Denis!

What about this one? asks Terence.

The egg box is already getting soggy.

You may keep this one, says Gaius. But you'll need a better container.

A Titanic, says Terence.

Where would we get a Titanic? says Gaius.

Did Terence ever drink his can of Red Bull? asks Roo-kai.

Of course! says Gaius. An empty can would be just the right size, and it wouldn't get soggy.

So where is it? asks Roo-kai.

It may be in my backpack, says Gaius.

It isn't, says Terence. I took everything out, remember?

Yes, and I put everything back in, says Gaius.

It may be back at the lighthouse, says Roo-kai.

Go and see, says Terence. 

Roo-kai waits for a please.

Luckily, as it happens. 

Because Denis has come across to show a series of photos to Gaius, and wondered at the silence.

Why is everyone so quiet?asks Denis.

Roo-kai is waiting for the magic word, says Gaius.

The magic word? asks Denis.

Gaius explains that Rookai is going to look for Terence's can of Red Bull, as soon as he hears it.

No need for the magic word, says Denis. 

The Red Bull's in my backpack.