Chapter 20 from Tracy Tales by MusicalTB2 Chapter 20: Rock pooling
Gordon was determined to share his love of rock pooling with someone. Scott was too busy stressing constantly about the Zero-XL to find time for hobbies minus his music therapy, Kayo didn't trust him when in the water not to splash her, Alan was busy with his final studies for school and John was in space, so that only left Virgil and he would force him down to the pools by any means necessary, which in the end was just an invitation one sunny afternoon.
"Gordon, slow down, these rocks are slippery."
"I told you to wear water shoes, not flip flops."
"They're waterproof, what's the difference?" Virgil shrugged as he caught up with his co-pilot, "you're lucky I said yes to this, I've been writing a composition for dad."
"None of you appreciate our rock pools. Come on, you're going to love what I've found, this way," he led the way around the back caves and darted across a tiny stretch of sand between the rocks and waves, "time yourself."
Virgil ran across the wet sand before the sea closed off the path, "okay, where is this pool?"
Gordon grinned as he knelt beside a pool then stripped down to his swimming trunks, "awesome."
"Gordon, what are you doing?"
"You can't see it unless you join me. Are you wearing your trunks?"
"These shorts are trunks, so yeah."
"Good, get in," Gordon dived down into the water.
"Gordon!" Virgil unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it onto the rocks before jumping in, the water was crystal clear and he almost collided with the aquanaut who was swimming back up, he emerged coughing and hit him over the head, "what did you dive down for!?"
"To see the oyster."
"The what?" Virgil trod water being careful not to put his feet down on any urchins.
"First of all, control your breathing or you won't be able to stay down there long enough. You'll love this, I promise."
"If I'd known we were diving I would've brought a tank."
Gordon raised an eyebrow, "remember dad's training? Concentrate and we can be down there for a minute."
"FAB."
"Okay, ready?"
Virgil nodded, "just don't scare me again."
"FAB. Let's go," he took a deep breath and dived down followed by Virgil, the second eldest wasn't much of a water baby but Jeff had made sure that all of his sons and Kayo knew how to hold their breath for long periods of time under water for emergencies and extreme scenarios. They swam down to the bottom of the pool together and Gordon pointed to the oyster shell which was open displaying a bright pearl, Virgil's eyes widened in awe and Gordon smiled before looking back at the pearl, they signalled each other to go up and they sat up on the edge breathing deeply and dripping.
"Wow Gordon."
"What did I tell ya? Beautiful isn't it."
"I never even knew those were real."
"Oysters or the pearls?"
"The pearls, we could sell it."
"Don't lay a finger on it. I wait for the animals to die naturally then collect the jewel or find one that hasn't opened yet, that one is very much alive and very young, let it enjoy its creation. It would be like ripping a gold tooth from someone's mouth," Gordon replied sternly.
Virgil looked down with guilt, "yes, I suppose so. Sorry."
"You're impressed though?"
"More than impressed, it's amazing down there."
"Okay, I wasn't sure about this at first, but would you like to meet my little friend?"
"It better not be a crab."
"No, it's better. Come on," he dived down again and a small eel swam up to meet him much to Virgil's horror, Gordon gestured that it wasn't a threat or electric then smiled as it looped over his hand, if Virgil could breath out in relief he would have done, but instead he patted Gordon's shoulder and let the eel swim across his arm, they swam up to the surface again and Virgil flopped his black hair back out of his face.
"An eel, Gordon?"
"Yeah."
"What have you called it?"
"His name is Matty."
"Matty?"
"Short for Matthieu."
Virgil laughed, "you're mad, you know that right? Mad."
"Madness is great," Gordon elbowed him, "want to go down again or are you good?"
"I'm good, but thank you Gordo, I'm so land based I forget how amazing our island is sometimes. Is this pool always here?"
"Only when the tide is out, when it's in this is covered, but Matty never forgets where he lives."
"Thanks."
"Anytime, I really wanted someone else to enjoy these with me, Lady Penelope would but she's on the other side of the world."
"Is that who the pearl is for?"
Gordon smiled, "I've already got one ready for her."
"Not an engagement ring I hope? The one thing Dad doesn't need to come back home to is you saying you're planning to get married."
Gordon chuckled, "no, not yet anyway. I'm going to box it with a card for her birthday, it's December soon, although you wouldn't know that being here."
"That's sweet. You don't have any spare pearls do you?"
"Why do you ask?" Gordon stood up and pulled his shirt on around his shoulders.
"Well, it's just, I would love to give one to Kayo."
Gordon smiled, "word of advice, if you find a big oyster you're more likely to find a pearl inside, but it's all luck. If you go down there now, don't assume you'll get a jewel."
"Okay. Wait for me, for safety."
"FAB. Have fun," Gordon watched his brother dive under and began to time him, he hopped up onto the rock and decided to squeeze in some sunbathing in the late afternoon sunshine.
Virgil reached the bottom of the pool and let out a little air to keep himself down and gathered a bundle of oysters which weren't open, maybe Gordon would kill him maybe not, but now he was the one determined to discover a perfect gift, he emerged out of breath and pushed the collection onto the side of the pool before heaving himself out of the water, "think that'll be enough?"
Gordon opened his eyes then frowned, "you have a dark side, Virgil Tracy, I didn't think that was possible. I won't be helping you open those."
"Fine," he pulled his shirt on ignoring the wet marks immediately appearing across his back and chest then slipped his flip flops back on, "maybe I'll give one to Scott too, they might cheer him up."
Gordon laughed as they walked back to the house, "oh, you're planning on finding more than one pearl now?"
"You never know?"
"Good luck then."
Scott was waiting for them in the lounge and frowned as they walked in dripping and feet squelching on the floor, "where have you been?"
"Scott, you need to chill out. Seriously, you're going to have a meltdown if you're not careful," Gordon smirked, "I finally convinced one of you to go to the rock pools with me and it worked."
"Virgil?" Scott raised an eyebrow.
Virgil nodded, "I loved it."
"I was determined and it paid off, we found an oyster shell with a pearl and now Virgil is obsessed," Gordon smirked as Scott slumped into Jeff's chair, "don't look so defeated, it could've been you if you weren't so stubborn at the moment."
"I'm too busy," Scott didn't look up, "you should change before Grandma sees you."
Kayo walked in, "ah there you are Virgil."
Gordon grinned and shook his wet hair all over her, "now that's a successful day."
"Urgh, you little brat!" Kayo shouted and pushed him onto the sofa where he immediately began giggling.
"Virgil, what are those in your hands?" Kayo asked stepping forward.
"Oysters."
"I hope we're not planning on eating them, I hate seafood."
"No, I'm planning something else with them, and with any luck my plan will be a success."
Kayo shrugged, "intriguing."
Gordon sat up beaming with delight, "the world is my oyster."
Virgil groaned, "and of course you go back to being annoying. I'll be in the workshop if anyone needs me, urgently," he winked at Kayo as she sat up on the desk.
"What's he up to Gordon?"
"Let's just say, a little determination goes a long way."
"Maybe even to getting Dad back before Christmas," Scott sighed then smiled as Kayo held his hands in hers, he looked up at her, "thanks."