Out Of The Mouths of Dolphins

Writers: Ames, Suzee
Date Posted: 3rd July 2013

Characters: Aslvor, Pierka
Description: Some startling news
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 2, day 1 of Turn 7

Pierka

Pierka and Liddith spiraled into the beach near Dolphin Hall and the
girl smiled up at the cliffs. This had been her home before she'd gone
to the Weyr and her lovely green had found her.

She hadn't been back to visit much since Turns Beginning and she waved
to a couple of people in the cavern as her lifemate went to sun on the
cliffs and she trotted around to the healing pens.

"Hi there Aslvor," she called.

The journeyman dolphineer looked up and her face broke into a smile.

"Pierka!" Aslvor had always liked the apprentice dolphineer. She
missed having her around the Hall, but she knew Pierka's new position
as a dragonrider was extremely important. She still hoped that when
the younger girl had time they could continue some of her studies in
the craft.

"What brings you by today?" She asked. Aslvor was suited up in her
normal wetsuit. She's been checking on some of the dolphins that had
needed medical attention and was still wet when Pierka arrived. A few
of the healing dolphins were swimming about the caverns, while others
rested on the special bays that had been designed to support them
while they healed. Cec was merrily splashing in the water with the
other active dolphins.

"I just thought I'd come by and see how everything was going since
the hurricane." Then she turned to the dolphin nearest her. It seemed
young by it's size and resting almost like sleep against the pads.

"Who is this?"

Aslvor smiled at the little dolphin. "That's little Gert. She was
stuck up against some rocks during the hurricane. She's really young,
just a babe actually."

Gert opened an eye and blinked up at Pierka and Aslvor.

"We have quite a few more injured dolphins because of the hurricane,"
she told Pierka.

"Hello Gert," Pierka said lovingly and stroked the the dolphin around
her blowhole like she knew they liked. "I know Aslvor will make you
feel better very soon,"

Gert gave a puff of air through her blow hole.

"She mostly just needs more rest," Aslvor told Pierka. "The storm was
hardest on the young and the old. The old couldn't move fast enough
and stay out of the way. The young ones didn't know what to do and got
confused."

She pointed to the second pool. There was a tiny barrier of rock
between the two areas. "Most of the dolphins over here are ready to be
released back to their pods. I think some of our own pod is playing
with them," Aslvor grinned, "They like doing that when they aren't
needed elsewhere."

Pierka smiled and returned her attention to Gert. "Did she just say
she was uncomfortable? Maybe she needs a little walk. What do you
think?"

Aslvor looked to Gert who _was_ starting to wiggle.

"She hasn't been moved around for a bit. She was earlier, but we got a
bit short handed. If you don't mind helping her out, that would be
great. She won't cause you any trouble. Gert's been nothing but
pleasant to be around." Aslvor almost wished the young dolphin was
part of the main Hall pod rather than one that had come to seek aid
with the help of our family pod.

"There's extra wetsuits over there," she knew Pierka knew her way
around, but she figured it was best to make sure. "You can use the
second pool over there." It was a smaller walking pool, but it worked
great for the smaller dolphins like Gert.

"Alright," she grinned. She didn't often get to work with the dolphins
these days and that was the only thing about her former life that she
missed. She got up and hurriedly donned the wetsuit and a moment later
entered the water next to Gert. Helping the young dolphin off the
support and then keeping her upright as she slowly tried to swim.

Gert gave a puff of air in appreciation for Pierka's help.

"Tanks," was all the dolphin managed, her voice weak as she was still
regaining her strength.

Cec, who was in the water, swam over to help keep Gert afloat for
Pierka. But she nearly did the opposite. Cec became extremely
excitable and started clicking and moving around more than normal.

Aslvor, who had been helping another young dolphin, glanced up at the
commotion. When she saw what was happening she frowned and instantly
jumped in the water.

"Cec!" She reprimanded, swimming towards the group. "Stop that, this
instant! You will hurt Pierka and Gert!" Aslvor had no idea what had
gotten into her partner, but she was going to have words with the
little dolphin as soon as she made sure everything was okay.

"Shh shh, it's ok Gert," she tried to calm the younger dolphin. "What
was _that_ all about?"

"I don't know," Aslvor said as she swam up to Cec and pulled the
little gray dolphin away from the pair. "You need to calm down Cec or
I'm sending you out of the healing chambers.

"Baa-bee," Cec trilled happily, swishing in the water with excitement.

Aslvor frowned at her. "What are you talking about Cec? Gert is not a
baby. She's young and not feeling well and you nearly scared her or
hurt her." Aslvor hadn't had to scold Cec like this in some time.

For a moment, Cec stopped her excited movements and looked right at
Aslvor. "I sorr-rey. Baa-bee." She repeated. Aslvor was confused by
Cec's repetition of the word, but she was pleased that the dolphin had
at least settled down now.

Pierka smiled at Aslvor. "What is that all about?"

Aslvor was frustrated, but appreciated the joy she could sense
radiating from her dolphin partner.

"I honestly don't know. Cec, you are _not_ making any sense. What baby
are you talking about?" As soon as Aslvor asked the question, Cec
shook free of Aslvor's hands and swam over to Pierka.

"Baa-bee," she repeated as she got closer to the dragonrider.

"What? Me?" She looked helplessly at Aslvor. "No," she shook her head.
"Thats not poss......" But it was, and there was only one possibility.
She stumbled back against the edge of the pool with her fingers to her
mouth. "Oh my."

Aslvor watched the whole interaction and quickly moved over to her friend.

"Pierka, are you alright?" She asked, ready to support her if need be.
She seemed shocked by what she'd figured out. "Cec may not be
accurate. I mean she's not really old enough to have experience
diagnosis things. We're working on it, but she _could_ be wrong."
Aslvor doubted it however. Diagnosis babies was one of the first
things the dolphins picked up on even without guidance from the
healers.

"I'm... I'm... pregnant?" This time she asked Cec. She knew from her
own training that dolphins could often detect pregnancy far before the
human mother even knew. But this was unbelievably bad timing on so
many levels.

"Baa-bee. Yes. Baa-bee in your belly," Cec trilled happily, swishing
water around them both. "Baa-bee!" The dolphin sang happily. She loved
babies as did most of the dolphins. It excited them to sense the new
life.

Pierka smiled a resigned smile at Aslvor. "Baby."

Last updated on the July 3rd 2013

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Out Of The Mouths of Dolphins