[8.23.2707] Something's Not Right(ANY, Arktos)

[sorra]

Rivi crooned softly to help put Arktos at ease. He liked the Candidate Master and he didn't like seeing people upset. Elliwodth snorted softly. She will be okay, she told Arktos. She is in pain, but she'll be okay. The green knew her rider was strong and she wasn't going to let anything happen to her.

Kiyoni closed her eye and tried not to move. Pain was still very acute in her stomach and abdomen and wouldn't allow her to think clearly. She bit her lip when Arktos picked her up and rested her head against his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered to him. "I don't know what's wrong with me." Her voice was tinged with pain. And if it appeared that everyone else knew what was wrong she hadn't noticed. She kept her eyes closed, not wanting to see the worry in her mate's eyes.

[dragonsong]

Lavender oil? Yes, she could to that! Most certainly she could do that! And she absolutely most certainly didn't mind at all! No, she could be if some use. Despite what Tess said she didn't feel like much of a help for having arrived there so quickly. So she nodded enthusiastically, glad that she could be doing something that she actually considered useful. With that, she turned and began to run back in the direction of the Weyr. Sorbeth watched her progress from where she was, wondering mildly why she hadn't asked for a lift and then answering her own question. Mia never thought straight in an emergency, though fortunately she was never involved in many. If she was Sorbeth would want to scream - if dragons could scream that was. Funnily enough though, her rider was fully competent in Threadfall. Maybe it was the structure, and maybe it was because it wasn't a shock to her; it was hardly unexpected after all. Or, maybe it was because Sorbeth hadn't let them be hit yet. She didn't want to find out how Mia reacted if either of them got hit because she had a funny feeling that it would be an intensified version of how she was now. Either way, she'd stay here with Elliwodth.

Mia ran quickly, mind focused on getting the lavender oil. Nearest store cupboard was over there, so that was where she was headed. There was a faint pop above her head and suddenly a dull coloured green firelizard appeared over her, swooping along and chattering loudly at her.
"Not now Inca!" she panted at the green, so simply upped the volume of her chattering and started dive-bombing Mia's head. "What?" she eventually asked as she came to a halt in front of the store cupboard. Inca settled on her shoulder, something clutched in her forefeet. She nibbled Mia's ear for her pet's attention seeing as Mia usually ignored any verbal demands these days. Mia's head turned, and she took what Inca was holding in her forefingers, looked at it very briefly before slipping the flower scented vial into her pocket without a second thought. Opening up the cupboard she quickly located a vial of lavender oil (Not noticing that it was identical to the one Inca had given her) and shut the cupboard up again. Inca proceeded to make her version of grumbling and scolded Mia for something - but she'd figure it out later. Now with lavender oil and her green firelizard perched on her shoulder, Mia settled for a fast jog this time to Tess' examining room.

[chree]

Tess twitched a bit of a smile as Mia ran off – not uncommon. Though perhaps, given the possible circumstances, Arktos should be the one fluttering anxiously about. In any case, Mia would be occupied for a moment and have some semblance of a purpose to cling to. Tess approved of people who were prompt and accurate in following directions, regardless of whether or not they were a bit flighty about it.

Turning back to her patient, she cleared those thoughts from her head and focused back in on the present set of symptoms. She was definitely unwilling to risk drugs if pregnancy was an option – but if pregnancy was the present ‘ailment’, they needed to move fast Two months sounded about right – just before she’d really start to show it. Concurrent symptoms lined up progressively, as one would expect…

Despite her own rising concern, her voice remained steady and soft. “Let’s move quickly, if you can CandidateMaster.” She set off immediately at a pace just barely shy of a jog, calculating the fastest course to her exam room. As they moved, she fell in a moment next to Arktos and spoke soothingly to Kiyoni. “I know it’s difficult, but I really need you to try and relax – don’t tighten your abdomen against the pain. Once we reach my office, I’m going to ask you to check for blood, alright? I’ll have tea ready in a moment that will help ease the pain and we’ll determine the source of your discomfort shortly.”\

Once they reached their destination, Tess swiftly unlocked the door and held it open for them, following at their heels and gesturing for Arktos to place Kiyoni on a raised bed off to the left. That accomplished, she slipped off to acquire the hops mixture Tesk would have just finished setting out.

Once hers was in sight, Tesk braved the light a moment to bump fondly up against Tess’s legs, quite pleased with herself. Hops tea! Nerve tonic, mild sedative, muscle relaxant! She recited with a sing-song lilt, Is an egg??? Tess smiled and reached to run an appreciative hand over Tesk’s eyeridges before shooing her back to the shadows. We’ll see.

Setting the tea to boil, she turned on toe and stepped back into her examining room, looking expectantly at Kiyoni.

[sorra]

Kiyoni stayed against Arktos. She tried not to concentrate on the pain she was feeling. She opened her eyes briefly at Tess' soft voice. The young green rider nodded. "I'll try not to," she whispered. Although she wasn't so sure that would be easy. But she wanted to stay strong for Arktos. And she didn't want to worry Elliwodth anymore then she already had.

The search rider tried to remain relaxed as they got into the infirmary. She winced as Arktos set her down, but caught his hand. "Don't leave me," she whispered, pleadingly. She really didn't want left along.

Kiyoni looked up when Tess returned. She slowly sat up again, wincing slightly. "Alright, I'll check," she whispered, not really wanting to move. But then again, if she had started her monthly that would explain a lot. The young woman checked quickly, not wanting to stay standing long. She shook her head in answer to Tess' unspoken question. She wasn't bleeding.

[Kit]

Arktos felt rather bad leaving Eliwodth out there by herself, so as he left he said, "Eli, why don't you go out on the ledge, I'll send Arkysk to keep you company." It might be a little bright out for the wher, but if he kept his eyes closed, he'd enjoy the warm sun. He told Arkysk to wait for the green on the ledge and the wher complied sleepily.

Once in the infirmary he laid Kiyoni on the indicated examining table. "Of course I won't leave," he said, taking one of her hands in both of his. "I want to make sure you are all right. And if you are sick, I'll take care of you. Its my job,"
he said with a gentle but worried smile. He raised his eyebrows at the Healer's instructions, and suddenly everything began to make a little bit more sense. Kiyoni might be pregnant?! A slow, gentle, but blissful smile began to creep across his face. How he hoped it was true.

[sorra]

Elliwodth bobbed her head. That sounded like a good idea to her. And besides, she knew Kiyoni was safe in Arktos' and Tess' hands. She took to the air and soon was curled up on the ledge with Arkysk.

Kiyoni sat back down and had to force herself not to curl up again. She was still hurting and unlike Arktos, she hadn't put the pieces together. Or maybe it was more she didn't want to. The search rider looked up at the Healer and then over at her mate.

[chree]

Catching Kiyoni’s unspoken message, Tess permitted herself a brief smile of relief. No blood – an immensely good sign. Particularly if it was pregnancy. She nodded.

“Good. I’m going to go get you some tea – it’ll help sooth the pain and possibly leave you a bit drowsy. I’m also going to have my wher have a quick moment with you, so the lights will be off briefly, don’t be alarmed.”

Tesk danced and skittered about as she listened in on Tess’s plans, though she’d composed herself by the time Tess returned to collect the tea. She poured out two cups (no harm in offering Arktos one, if he was feeling a bit on edge, though his wouldn’t be half as strong as Kiyoni’s cup). Sending a knowing look in Tesk’s direction, she stepped back out into the examining room and killed the lights for a moment.

Tesk scurried quickly out and got down to business, lumbering over to Kiyoni’s bed. The wher tensed a moment, then sprung up to set her foreclaws carefully on the edge of the bed, balanced on her hind legs. She looked the patient over curiously, then took a deep, hearty sniff. Egg! She announced to Tess alone, recalling their long talk on patient confidentiality, and scrambled back down to receive her handler’s praise.

Tess, who’s eyes had grown accustomed to adjusting quickly in the dark, glanced down at her wher and grinned a moment. Yes – you are wonderful, she thought simply, but it was more than enough. Tesk took a moment to preen before obediently returning to the back room. Tess promptly returned the room to its former brightness and turned to hand Kiyoni her cup of tea. “I have your diagnosis and I’ll need to discuss it with you further, but I must ask if you’d like Arktos to remain?” She smiled apologetically at the other handler and offered him the second, weaker cup of tea. “To sooth nerves, if you’d like it.” Perhaps she should have made another cup for the other greenrider... but no, the Lavender should suffice.

[sorra]

Kiyoni nodded as she listened. "Alright." She knew enough about whers from Arkysk that being in the dark didn't really bother her. The green rider kept a hold of Arktos' hand.

The search rider remained still. She could just make out Tesk's form in the darkness and thanks to Arkysk, she didn't jump when Tesk put her claws up on the bed. Kiyoni blinked a bit against the light and carefully sat up, accepting the mug gratefully. She looked up at her mate. "I want him to stay," she whispered. She didn't want to hear the news without her beloved next to her.

[Kit]

The Candidate Master watched curiously as the wher came in, wondering what exactly the gray would be looking for that would help her make a diagnosis. He wondered if Arkysk could do such a thing as well. It could be helpful. Soon enough, the lights were back on and Tess was handing out steaming mugs.

Arktos took the cup of tea gratefully, though he wouldn't say his nerves needed soothing exactly. He was excited and hopeful. Of course, he wasn't really allowing himself to consider that it might be something else, something more serious. But he did wonder why Kiyoni seemed so upset.

[dragonsong]

Jogging through the infirmary, Mia came to a halt outside Tess' examining room just as the lights came back on, but Mia didn't notice this. With a knock, then a short pause she pushed the door open and slipped inside, probably looking a little flushed from her dash to the store cupboard and then jog to the infirmary. Tucking her hair behind her ears with on hand, she pulled out a vial of the lavender oil from her pocket with her other hand. Just as she heard Tess asking if Kiyoni would like Arktos to stay or not.
"Oh sorry! I didn't mean to interrupt!" She was now flustered because she thought that she had intruded on a private moment, and blushed a little, though it wasn't that visible. "I'll, em, I brought the lavender oil..." she added, holding out the vial to Tess. "I should go. Hush Inca," she told the firelizard who'd caught the smell of Tesk and was cheeping loudly. She waved a hand at the green, who fluttered up off her shoulder, then winked between.

Send her this way if you're getting rid of her, I need someone to help scrub, came Sorbeth's voice in her head. Sorbeth! Your bath! I know. I'm sorry! I know. Are you alright? What about Elliwodth? Elliwodth flew off to Arkysk's ledge, so I think she's alright. Though to keep you out of trouble, why don't you come and give the pair of us a bath? "Kiyoni? If Elliwodth still wants a bath I can do her when I do Sorbeth if you'd like?" She still felt like she needed to help, but didn't know how else to do so. And that would mean she could help and wasn't intruding on what was a personal moment.

[sorra]

Kiyoni looked over when Mia came in. She had almost forgotten about the other green rider in her haze of pain. Rivi chittered softly from Arktos' shoulder at Mia and Inca. Kiyoni managed a pained smile. "Thank you for the help, Mia," she said quietly.

Elli? Do you still want a bath? Mia said she'd give you one.

Elliwodth yawned. Alright.

Kiyoni managed a weak smile. "Elli said she wouldn't mind if you don't mind," she said softly. "Don't feel like you have to though." She'd get around to finishing Elliwodth's bath at some point in time.

[chree]

Tess glanced towards the door at the sudden flurry of movement there, smiling softly to find Mia there hovering. “Well done, thank you dragonrider,” she spoke soothingly, well practiced in that even sort of tone, and took the vile graciously off Mia’s hands. She opened it immediately, stopped it with a finger and turned it upside down. As soon as she turned the bottle back up right, she reached out and casually rubbed a bit of the oil under the collar of Mia’s shirt. Lavender was good for soothing anxiety. Also, for easing menstrual cramps – she turned on toe and stepped to Kiyoni’s bedside carefully applying a bit of the oil across her abdomen for good measure. Not ideal, but it wouldn’t hurt. And it smelled nice, besides.

Catching Kiyoni’s gaze, she glanced pointedly at the cup of tea, “Drink, please.” Satisfied that the pain – and more importantly, what she suspected may be the underlying cause – would soon be gone, she settled back a few steps and stood quietly while Kiyoni made the decision to have Mia stay or go. Once that decision had been made and followed, she cleared her throat and proceeded without hesitation.

“You’re pregnant,” she said bluntly, not one to waste words when it came to a diagnosis. “Based on the presenting symptoms, I suspect your body may have gone into premature contractions, though I am not yet aware of why this would be the case. No need to panic, though: there are many possible causes, not all of which would involve some direct implication for the health of the fetus, though we must unfortunately keep that possibility in mind. Until I can determine exactly why this pain occurred, I’m going to ask you to avoid any strenuous activity, sleep at least 8 hours a day and whenever you feel fatigued, and refrain from making any trips between. I will also give you a list of foods and common drugs to avoid, and I’d like you to come in daily for a quick general check up to assure that all progresses well. Do you have any questions?”

Tess tried to arrange herself passively, waiting to see how Kiyoni would take the news so she could respond appropriately.

[sorra]

Kiyoni watched Tess and Mia, still keeping a hold of Arktos' hand. She'd have to thank Mia properly later. She shivered a little at the unexpected oil on her skin. Although if it helped, she wasn't going to argue.

"Okay," she whispered, sipping on the tea. She wanted rid of the pain. She had never had such pain that it dropped her to her knees.

The search rider's blue eyes widened in shock. "I'm what?" she squeaked. No, no, she couldn't be. Could she? She closed her eyes tightly. Of course she could be. But then who's baby was it? Her head started to hurt, so she gave up on thinking. "The baby might be in danger?" she asked worriedly. Just because she was shocked, didn't mean she wanted to lose the baby. She looked up at Arktos, worry for her unborn baby showing in her eyes. "But the baby should be okay?" she asked worriedly.

[Kit]

Arktos sipped his tea with one hand while he grasped Kiyoni's hand with the other. He decided very quickly that he liked klah better. Then Tess gave the diagnosis. At first, he was so happy that, were he a more demonstrative man, he would have danced for joy. Instead he just smiled more widely and gave Kiyoni's hand a squeeze. But he became more serious after he heard the rest of the Healer's words.

He couldn't lose another child, he would do everything in his power to make sure that didn't happen. Of course, he realized it was possible the child wasn't his, but in truth, he didn't care. She was his weyrmate, he would raise the child as his own whatever the case. He and G'rett had already agreed. Plus, he thought, it was likely they would never know which man was the father. In any case, he would make sure Kiyoni was taken care of and he knew Eliwodth would help. "I'll make sure she gets plenty of rest," he told Tess.

[chree]

Tess stepped forward and set a soothing hand on Kiyoni’s shoulder, her touch light, her expression carefully controlled, her energy entirely calm. It would not do to appear anxious or concerned. Kiyoni must come to grips with this, must find peace within herself and must do it soon if her unborn was to be unaffected. She was already concerned that there had been such pain so early on… stress never helped in these situations. Hopefully the tea would kick in soon.

“I know it’s difficult, but you must try and remain as tranquil as you can. The less stress you’re under the better. If you’re finding it difficult to remain tranquil after a day or so, I will prescribe you something to help with your nerves. I promise I’ll do everything in my power to ensure you have a healthy baby when the time comes.” She lanced up as Arktos spoke and nodded, smiling a bit as his obvious devotion to her. If Kiyoni cleared it, she would discuss any program shift with him, as well – he seemed in a better position to reinforce it.

“You are welcome to stay here, if you like, and I or one of the other Healers will gladly discuss any questions that come up. However, you are welcome to retire to the comfort of your own weyr, though I would prefer it if you remained in bed for the rest of today at least.”