Mm...Fishy

Proof positive, says Ageless, to the giant cuttlefish.

He swishes the recovered croissant packet back and forth, in the water.

She's in a bad way, says the giant cuttlefish.

It's my croissant packet, says Ageless. 

What's coming out of the holes? asks the giant cuttlefish.

Nothing, says Ageless. 

Look again, says the giant cuttlefish. I know spermatophores when I see them.

And indeed little clumps of spermatophores are trailing around in the water.

It was assaulted, says Ageless. 

The giant cuttlefish is beginning to understand what must have happened.

Anyone can make a mistake, says the giant cuttlefish. You have to admit these croissant females are beauties.

Ageless decides to leave it at that. 

It's not for him to be judgemental.

The giant cuttlefish drifts away.

Ageless swims across to Captain Baudin.

Captain Baudin has filled his croissant packet with cuttlefish eggs.

Enough? asks Captain Baudin. I can't fit many more in.

Enough, says Ageless.

Then let's go, says Captain Baudin. 

He shoots up to the surface.

Ageless follows.

Roo-kai is floating nearby.

All done? asks Roo-kai. 

All done, says Ageless. Thanks for finding my croissant packet. 

Useless as it is, says Roo-kai.

It did come in useful, says Ageless. A giant cuttlefish was asking me questions.

What questions? asks Roo-kai.

About what was coming out of the holes, says Ageless. 

Which was? asks Roo-kai.

Spermatophores, says Ageless. 

And you knew that? asks Roo-kai.

No, he knew that, says Ageless.

So it was a rhetorical question, says Roo-kai.

I suppose so, says Ageless.

Let's get moving, says Captain Baudin. These eggs are beginning to drag on my claws.

Want me to take them? asks Roo-kai.

If you would, says Captain Baudin.

Roo-kai takes the croissant packet from Captain Baudin, rises and flies back to shore.

He lands on a rock beside Gaius and Denis.

Mission accomplished, says Roo-kai.

Jumping Jupiter! says Gaius. What a haul! 

What are we going to do with them? asks Denis.

Protect them, until they hatch in early November, says Gaius.

They look like little cocktail onions, says Denis.

They do look tasty, says Roo-kai. I might try one.

Go on, says Denis.

Before Gaius can protest, Roo-kai eats one of the eggs.

Mm...fishy! And he is hungry. 

He helps himself to another.