Confirmation 2/2

Writers: Cali, Roxanne
Date Posted: 22nd May 2006

Characters: Arilanna, Ayrati, Wiryn
Description: Arilanna accompanies Ayrati to the Dolphin Hall to confirm her pregnancy.
Location: Dolphin Hall, Dragonsfall Weyr
Date: month 11, day 21 of Turn 3

The flight to the Hall wasn't especially long, but it was cold, so Arilanna was glad when they started to descend towards the hold. After she dismounted, Arilanna gave her body a good stretch and joked, "Wow, I don't know how you all fly in this cold for so long during a Fall."

"It helps to have something to distract from that fact. Wiryn should be here somewhere." Ayrati said as she glanced around for her friend. The dolphineer was a relative of her former husband that had been very nice to her and the children. They kept in touch and he had been the first person she'd thought of who could help her determine if there was something to decide.

The dolphineer appeared not far from the place on the shoreline where the green had landed. He beckoned them towards him and when they came close enough he smiled. "Good to see you, Ayrati. Who's your friend?"
he said embracing the greenrider lightly.

"It's good to see you too. This is Arilanna, the journeywoman healer I said I was bringing with me. Arilanna, this is Journeyman Wiryn. He is my children's uncle and a very good dolphineer." Ayrati said in introduction.

"Good to meet you, Journeyman" Arilanna smiled amiably. "We were wondering if you and one of the dolphins would be so kind as to check Ayrati here for pregnancy."

"Another one? How many do you have at the moment, Ayrati?" Wiryn asked with a chuckle. He would be more than happy to help the greenrider learn whether or not she was to have yet another child. At least this one wouldn't be his brother's as he had enough nephews and nieces already.

"Five and hopefully that will be all." the greenrider replied as Wiryn led them down to the water's edge where his dolphin waited for them.

The water was warm, and she felt it was necessary to know for certain how far along she was. She did not want to have another child, but she also knew that she could only be so far along to go /between/ and not risk her life to get rid of the baby.

Wiryn's partner hovered near her stomach and said excitedly, "Babee!"

She looked at Wiryn and said, "Can he tell how far along I am?"

He nodded and asked, "How big is the baby?"

The dolphin nudged her a bit and said, "Small, very tiny."

Meanwhile the other dolphins in the pod gathered around the trio and one suddenly announced, "Babee!" as she swam circles around Arilanna.

Arilanna chuckled at the antics of the dolphins, she hadn't had much opportunity to work with them, but they were darling creatures. "Well, there you go, with this one giving a second opinion, it looks like you were right."

"Healer, babee!" the second dolphin said nudging Arilanna as she spoke.

Wiryn glanced over and said, "Cal says you've got a baby growing, journeywoman. I take it you haven't had any symptoms?" He thought that most healers would know enough to realize that they were with child, but perhaps she had justified them to be some other cause.

"I, no," she murmured in shock, "Are you sure? It hasn't been-- Well, I guess I could be. How far along?"

The dolphin took a moment to assess the baby and then replied, "Small babee."

Wiryn had done enough pregnancy diagnoses over the turns to figure out what the vague answers probably meant. "I wouldn't be surprised if you two were about two months or so. It's hard to tell from their answers,but another healer should be able to give you an answer.

Shivering, although not necessarily from the water, Arilanna said to the dolphins, "Thank you for your help," and to Wiryn, "I think I'm ready to dry off." She couldn't think about her pregnancy right now, she had a patient to concentrate on at the moment.

The dolphineer nodded. He followed them both out. Giving Ayrati a hug, he said, "Good luck with whatever you decide."

Ayrati nodded and watched as the dolphineer left. Once he was gone she asked, "Not what you expected, Arilanna?"

"Oh, with you having so many previous pregnancies, I figured you were probably correct in your guess." she said purposely misunderstanding the question. "Let's get back to the Weyr so we can dry off!"

Ayrati let the matter drop with a smile and said, "I'm with you on that one." She wasn't sure what she wanted to do and would have to make up her mind soon.

The women mounted and Kaezioluth hovered in midair above the hold as Ayrati pondered what to do before giving the green the coordinates for their home. Without any further hesitation, the green went /between/ reappearing above the plateau.

As they came in for the landing Arilanna tried to digest the information of her pregnancy. She was curious about her lack of symptoms but she hadn't had any sickness with her daughter so it made sense that she wouldn't now. She had been more tired lately, but she had thought that was due to all her extra work in the infirmary; and her breasts had been sore, but well, she had blamed that more on her renewed relationship with J'klin. Her life was very full right now and the thought of adding in time for a baby started to depress her. Now really wasn't a good time. As she dismounted she looked over at her patient, "Are you going to be keeping the baby?"

"I don't know. I think that there is such a thing as having too many children. I still have a sevenday to decide, at least." she replied still torn on that decision.

"I understand" Arilanna said as she hugged herself from the cold, "Just remember that if you do abort to come by the infirmary and let us know so we can keep an eye on you."

"Definitely, I know how dangerous it can be if not treated properly."
she said shuddering at the thought of not seeking medical care.

Arilanna smiled sadly as she remembered those who _didn't_ recognize the danger. "Take care then, and I expect to see you soon, with whatever you decide is best." As she turned towards the stairs that would lead her out of the cold of the Plateau, Arilanna wondered what was best for her, and unconsciously placed her hand over her stomach.

"You will." the greenrider replied and watched the healer go before turning to her green for comfort. **What should I do?** she asked not really looking for an answer.

Last updated on the May 23rd 2006

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Confirmation 2/2