Elusive

Baby Pierre has come to an area of grass land.

Raoul and his dad are some way behind.

He decides to stop and locate a new spider.

He slows down and stops.

All about him are grasses.

Scritch, scritch.

It's a numbat, looking for termites.

The numbat sees Baby Pierre.

Seen any spiders? asks Baby Pierre

No, says the numbat. I need to eat twenty thousand termites a day. That keeps me busy.

Is it hard to find that many termites? asks Baby Pierre.

What do you think? says the numbat.

Raoul crashes through.

Found any?

Not yet, says the numbat.

Not yet, says Baby Pierre.

........

The Dirties are trying to make their way back to the campsite.

They have already followed some footprints.

And then, other footprints.

But the footprints have led them back here.

This is like being under water, says Second Dirty.

No, it isn't, says First Dirty. The main ingredient is missing.

Underwater, you have time to think of a plan, says Second Dirty.

Is that what you did? asks First Dirty.

No, says Second Dirty. I was starting, but then I got rescued.

Let's start, says First Dirty. We might get rescued again.

Hm-hm.

Second Dirty feels uncomfortable.

He moves to a new spot without checking.

Yuck. He has sat on something squashy, surrounded by something slimy.

What can it be?

........

Gaius and Elodie have arrived at the campsite.

The roof tent has been set up on top of the camper.

Shu is sitting on the poncho, with the smoked Portuguese chicken etc.

Where are Arthur and Sprocket? asks Elodie. Where's the HiLux?

Gone back into Pemberton, says Shu. For non-carbonated water.

That's my fault, says Elodie.

Yes, says Shu.

We still have enough for a team, says Gaius. What do you say we get started?

Good plan, says Shu. I like to keep busy.

Here's a job, says Gaius. Wash out this baked beans can.

He hands the baked bean can to Shu, and places the maratus on the poncho, next to the Portuguese chicken.

The maratus cristatus wonders where Lavender is.

He has thought up a new set of dance steps.

Ideally, he'd like to see her alone.

Read My Face

We must get going, says Markus. But first we should tidy up.

He picks up the empty baked bean can.

Hold on, says Gaius. May I have it?

Sure, says Markus. There's a few baked beans left at the bottom.

Never mind, says Gaius. I'll  rinse it out later. It may come in handy.

Elodie wonders what for.

Okay, says Markus. We're off to the bushland. Ready, Raoul?

Ready, dad, says Raoul. Do we have to go slowly?

Slowly? says Markus. No, why?

Because of this pebble, says Raoul. Or do I have to carry it?

I travel fast , says Baby Pierre. And my name is Baby Pierre, not 'this pebble'.

Sorr-ee! says Raoul. And what about the maratus fishtatus?

Cristatus, says Gaius. I'll keep him.

Fishtatus is funny, says Elodie.

But inaccurate, says Gaius. Strictly speaking it should be piscarius.

Maratus piscarius, says Raoul. Hey dad, we invented a name for a species.

Now we just have to find a new one that looks fishy, says Markus. Let's go.

I thought we were after a felinus, says Baby Pierre.

We are, says Markus, but imagine how good it would be to find a new species.

I'll try and find one, says Baby Pierre.

If anyone can, he can, says Gaius. Well, we'll be off.  Perhaps my team will find a new species.

Good luck, says Markus.

Baby Pierre has already started rolling towards the bushland.

Come on, piscarius, says Gaius, picking up the maratus cristatus.

Don't confuse it, says Elodie.

I'm not confused, says the maratus cristatus. Boy marati don't bother with species differentiation.

Does that explain your attempt to seduce Lavender? asks Gaius.

No. That was different, says the maratus cristatus.

Gaius and Elodie start walking back to their campsite.

Hey! Hey!

It's the Dirties, calling out for a lift.

But neither Gaius nor Elodie is listening.

Typical, says First Dirty. No one cares if we live or die.

No, agrees Second Dirty. No one but us.

Lucky we don't, says First Dirty.

Don't what? asks Second Dirty. Care?

Live or die, says First Dirty.

True, say Second Dirty. But we have unfinished business.

What's that? asks First Dirty.

To prove you're not a hindrance, says Second Dirty. I saw your face when Lavender called you a hindrance.

You read my face wrong, says First Dirty.

A Hero To The Smaller Species

Now before we get down to business, says Gaius, I'll check with Project Maratus.

I'll come with you, says Elodie. Shall we bring our spider?

Yes, says Gaius. He places his hand on the poncho beside the maratus.

The maratus waits for a sign of politeness.

Hop on, says Gaius.

The maratus hops on.

Gaius and Elodie walk to the next campsite, where the boy and his dad are eating baked beans from a can.

Hello again, says Gaius. Any interest in this little fellow?

Take a look, Raoul, says the dad. What type do you think this is?

A maratus fishtatus, says Raoul.

Ha ha, laughs Elodie. That'll be Gaius's hand. It smells of smoked salmon.

Ha ha, laughs Raoul's dad. I'm Markus, by the way.

Elodie, says Elodie. I hear you're working on Project Maratus.

Yes, says Markus. Raoul and I are working on it together. No luck so far. How did you come by this one?

I have a small team of helpers, says Gaius. This one was found by Baby Pierre, in a reed hole, not far from the edge of Lake Jasper.

Unusual, says Markus.

Indeed, says Gaius. Baby Pierre is invaluable, being tiny himself, and something of a hero to the smaller species.

Why so? asks Markus.

Tour de France, says Elodie.

Baby Pierre? Name doesn't ring a bell, says Markus.

It wouldn't, says Gaius. He tends to ride under the radar. But that is his strength, here. The spiders don't fear him.

I've heard there's been a sighting of a maratus felinus, in the bush land, says Markus. Perhaps we could borrow your Baby Pierre for an afternoon.

Perhaps, says Gaius. Now where is he......?

A whistling sound rises from his trouser pocket.

Ah yes, still in here.

He reaches into his pocket, brings out Baby Pierre, First Dirty and Second Dirty, and places them on the ground, next to Raoul.

Hi, says Baby Pierre. I heard everything. And I'm ready to help these guys find a felinus.

Very good, says Gaius. What about you two?

The Dirties consider the cases for and against going.

For: Naturally, the kudos

Against: Raoul has already tried to kill Second Dirty, by deliberate drowning.

For: But he did rescue him later.

Nevertheless they decide against going.

This will have to be Baby Pierre's own adventure.

Original Smell

The maratus has stopped dancing.

He is uncertain.

Why did he agree to come back to the campsite?

What had Lavender predicted? Eggs and vanilla? What does that mean?

There were no eggs and vanilla in the reed hole.

Lavender has been transferred to Gaius's pocket, so the maratus is alone with his thoughts, and has no one to enlighten him about eggs and vanilla.

It will turn out not to matter.

Gaius has arrived at the campsite, minutes after Arthur and Sprocket have returned.

On the poncho are heaps of smoked products, honey cured bacon, smoked Portugese chicken, smoked rainbow trout, and bourbon and maple syrup smoked salmon.

I see you've brought back some supplies, says Gaius. They must have cost a pretty penny.

No, says Sprocket. Arthur got them for nothing.

Always lucky, says Gaius. And did you remember the water?

We got mineral water, says Sprocket. My fave.

It's not everyone's favourite, says Elodie. Hello, Gaius, did you find them?

Yes, says Gaius. The scouting party returns, successful, having found a maratus cristatus.

Let me see, says Elodie.

Gaius places the maratus cristatus on the poncho, next to a pack of smoked salmon.

It's so cute, says Elodie. And so tiny. Where did you find it?

On Baby Pierre's head, says Gaius. He was bringing it to meet Lavender, to whom it has taken a fancy.

This news is a bit out of date.

How adorable, says Elodie. Look, Sprocket. Where's your phone? This would look great in your documentary.

Sprocket looks at Arthur.

Yes, it would, says Arthur.

Arthur's been helping me with it, says Sprocket. He has heaps of ideas.

It needs them, says Elodie. It was kind of disconnected. Let's have a look at it later, but right now we should store this food somewhere.

Not so fast, says Gaius. I feel peckish. I think I'll open the salmon.

It is packed in tight plastic. A knife is required.

Arthur produces one. It is one of the two from Gaius's kitchen, still encrusted with blood.

Disgusting, says Elodie. Go and wash it.

It's Shu's blood, says Arthur. He might want to wash it. Where is he?

Setting up the sleeping arrangements, says Elodie. Did you notice we have a rooftop tent?  It sleeps three to five. No one'll have to sleep in the HiLux.

Arthur sees into a future where Shu is curled up behind him, sighing.

And an alternative future, where he spends his nights alone in the tray of the HiLux, looking at stars.

Gaius has tired of waiting for something to be done with the knife.

It's only Shu's blood after all. He slashes the plastic and eases out the salmon.

He is the only one eating, for some reason. There is quite a lot left.

Elodie fetches the tin which smells of eggs and vanilla. It will do for the rest of the salmon.

But that is the end of the original smell.

Mating In A Dull World

The maratus cristatus is waiting.

Baby Pierre laughs.

So do the Dirties.

All right, says Lavender. Do your mating dance. But no mating.

The maratus laughs now.

What sort of female is she?

In the palm of Gaius's hand he starts swaying.

Da-daah! He raises his abdomen and opens his flaps.

Revealing a circular union jack pattern, red white and blue. Electric!

He raises his third pair of legs and waves them at Lavender.

He vibrates his abdomen and dances from side to side.

Baby Pierre has never seen anything so suggestive.

He looks over at Lavender.

Hard to tell what she's thinking.

But he guesses she's closing her eyes.

If only I had a camera, thinks Gaius. I could film this.

Then he remembers that he has a smart phone in his pocket.

But.... he has his hands full.

In one hand: Lavender and the dancing maratus cristatus.

Can't disturb them.

In the other, Baby Pierre and the Dirties.

They will not mind.

He drops them into his left trouser pocket, and feels in his shirt pocket, for the phone.

Good. He's found it. But now.... Drat. Fumble fumble. How do the young people work these devices one handed?

I wonder, says Gaius, if you might hold the rest of your mating dance until we get back to the campsite.

But the maratus cristatus isn't listening. He is alert for only one thing. Is Lavender excited, or is she about to attack him?

Stop dancing, says Lavender. I've got the gist anyway.

No one says that, says the maratus.

But you must remember that Lavender is not the same species as you are, says Gaius. She will neither mate with you, nor attack, kill and eat you.

What is going on? The maratus stops dancing. Lavender has got the gist anyway.

What a dull world this is.

I Might Not Be Playing

Now, says Gaius, I shall return to the campsite. Who else is coming?

Me, says Baby Pierre. I've done enough for one morning.

Me, says Lavender. And my spider. No wait. I'll ask him. Are you coming?

You know I am, says the maratus cristatus.

Of course I know, says Lavender. That was just politeness.

Politeness? says the maratus. So is that like when you ask someone something and you already know the answer?

Not always, says Lavender. Sometimes you don't know the answer. It's still a politeness.

Ask me something else, says the maratus.

Okay, says Lavender. Would you like to play I spy on the way to the camp site?

No, says the maratus. But thank you for asking. Now it's my turn.

You have to ask me if it's my turn, says Lavender. I might not be playing.

He doesn't,  says Baby Pierre. Turns are for fairness, not politeness.

You be quiet, says Lavender. I thought you had a headache.

I do, says Baby Pierre. Thanks for not asking.

That was asking, says Lavender.

It wasn't, says Baby Pierre. It was telling.

You're in a bad mood, says Lavender.

Shall I start walking? says Gaius. I've arranged to meet  a fellow camper back at the campsite. He's working on Project Maratus.

You haven't asked us if we're coming, says First Dirty.

No, you haven't, says Second Dirty. What happened to politeness?

It was a general question, says Gaius. Speak now if you want to stay here. Or perhaps make your own way back to the camp site.

Otherwise? says First Dirty.

Otherwise, I shall start walking, says Gaius.

He has already started walking.

My turn, says the maratus cristatus.

Do you know how to play? asks Lavender.

Play what? asks the maratus.

I spy, says Lavender.

I said no to I spy, says the maratus.

What then? asks Lavender.

My turn to ask you something, says the maratus.

To which she doesn't know the answer, says Baby Pierre.

For politeness, says the maratus.

Okay, says Lavender. Ask. But I probably will know the answer.

Here goes, says the maratus cristatus. Would you like me to do my mating dance for you?

Jumping Jupiter! says Gaius. Say yes, Lavender.

But Lavender thinks: Mating dance? Is this a trick question?

She does not know the answer.

True And Inevitable

Well done, Baby Pierre, says Gaius. You have captured a maratus cristatus.

And well done me, says Lavender.

Yes, says Gaius. A great team effort.

Was that a girl's voice? asks the maratus cristatus.

Don't ask me, says Baby Pierre. I've got a headache.

No wonder, says Gaius. Let me relieve you.

He lifts the maratus cristatus from Baby Pierre's head.

Now the maratus cristatus has a higher viewpoint.

Aaah. The world is bigger than he expected.

But this is no time for comparisons. He has been promised a cousin.

A girl one, with white stripes, who can predict the future.

He has just heard a girl's voice. But where did it come from?

Can I see it? asks Lavender.

The girl's voice again. This is lucky.

Of course, says Gaius, transferring Lavender to the hand in which he holds the maratus.

Oowa!

She doesn't have stripes. She can't be the cousin.

Lavender turns on her side to more easily see the maratus.

And he can now see that she is a pebble with a row of diminishing indentations, white and shell-like.

I'm so glad I helped Gaius to find you, says Lavender loudly.

I haven't been found, says the maratus cristatus. I was at home in my reed hole. I came out. I met a pebble who convinced me that I had a cousin. I guess that it's you.

Well, yes, Baby Pierre is my cousin, says Lavender. What did he say about me?

He said you had no legs, says the maratus cristatus.

As if that was the first thing he said about me! says Lavender. He can talk, anyway!

And he said you had white stripes, says the maratus cristatus. I see he was right about that.

These are not stripes, says Lavender. These are not even me. And nor are no-legs the real me.

That is a most confusing statement, says the maratus.

Not if you know me , says Lavender. I'm a space in the shape of a fossil, above and beyond the hard shell.

The maratus is fascinated by his new cousin.

He ventures the third thing.

And he told me that you know the future.

Ha! says Lavender. At last he admits it. I do.

So what is it? asks the maratus.

Lavender needs to come up with something mysterious, but (most likely) inevitable.

The tin!

Eggs and vanilla, says Lavender.