Sad Cheerful Resigned

The cuttlefish botanists listen to the singing.

Ti ti lariti ton ton.

Someone is singing, says Jean-Botanist.

Ti ti lariti ton ton.

Maybe we're dying, says Carl-Botanist.

That's not what happens, says Jean-Botanist.

How do you know? asks Carl-Botanist.

It's not that sort of song, says Jean-Botanist. 

Ti ti lariti ton ton. 

Getting closer.

What sort of song would it be if we were? asks Carl-Botanist.

I don't know, but not cheerful, says Jean-Botanist.

Sad? asks Carl-Botanist. 

Not sad, says Jean Botanist. Maybe resigned.

Depends who's singing, says Carl-Botanist.

I suppose so, says Jean-Botanist.

Plonk!

This is a surprise! says Roo-kai.

He has landed on the stern of the dinghy.

The botanists open their eyes.

I was expecting Captain Baudin, says Roo-kai. This is his dinghy.

We know, says Jean-Botanist. Ageless was supposed to be rowing us to the campground.

So where is he? asks Roo-kai.

He stayed behind, says Carl-Botanist. 

Relaxing? asks Roo-kai.

He forgot our croissant packet, says Jean-Botanist.

Which is why we've dried out, says Carl-Botanist.

You haven't, says Roo-kai. Looks like I got here in time.

Was that you singing? asks Jean-Botanist.

Yes it was, says Roo-kai. It's an old French sailors' song. I thought Baudin would know it.

We thought we were dying and someone was singing it, says Carl-Botanist.

That's not what they'd sing if you were, says Roo-kai.

What would they sing? asks Jean-Botanist.

Heave ho and over the side, says Roo-kai. In French, though.

So now what? asks Carl-Botanist. We've got oars, but we can't use them.

Nor can I, says Roo-kai. But you're floating in the right direction.

Stay with us, says Jean-Botanist.

That's one option, says Roo-kai. Or I could fly back to Gaius and tell him you're coming. He could borrow a dinghy and come out to meet you.

Is there an option of us swimming there by ourselves? asks Jean-Botanist.

Roo-kai thinks about this. Yes, it's a good option.

He helps them over the side.

Follow me, says Roo-kai. 

He flies off in the direction of the Point Lowly campground.

They follow, swimming.

It feels good to be swimming.

They sing cheerfully:

Ti ti lariti ton ton.