A Boy's Best Friend

Posted on Thu Nov 19th, 2020 @ 8:17am by Vice-Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: Season 4: Episode 2: Rest And Relaxation
Location: Alicia/Savar Quarters
658 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna held the puppy in her arms as she walked with Josie to Alicia's Quarters. She calmed the small dog by sushing him. She wanted him to be a surprise. They stood in front of the door and nodded to Josephine.

Alicia was playing on the floor with Connor when the door chime rang, looking towards the door she called “Come in” and waited to see who it was.

Arrianna walked in carrying a puppy and smiled at Connor. She sat down across from Connor. "I have someone for Connor to meet."

Alicia smiled as she looked at Arri, picking up Connor she rested him on her lap so he could see the puppy Arri was carrying.

Arrianna spoke. "I believe it's proper for human children to be raised with a dog. My Partner's family takes great care in matching them with genetic mates. It's fascinating really."

“Is this the breed of dog that your parent’s family would recommend for Connor?” Alicia looked at Arri curiously. “What breed of dog is it?”

From his place Savar spoke, "It is a spaniel Alicia. I believe it's name should be Sarek. For he will be Connor's loyal friend. Always keeping him from harm, protecting him from danger."

“Sarek it is then!” Alicia grinned as she reached out her hand to stroke the puppy. “He is adorable”

Arri smiled. "Truly a strange family whe have here, Counselors." Arri looked at Connor. "I feel his mind, so overwhelmingly inquisitive. He wants to take everything... and for some reason put it in his mouth. Strange."

“That’s how babies learn what the world is all about, you just have to be careful what they put in their mouths.” Alicia grinned. “Wait until he starts teething! From what I’ve read it can be no bother to some and he’ll to others.”

Arrianna spoke. "Alindari infants are very different, due to our exceptional telepathy. From birth, the child's mind will wander until it finds his or her parent's mind. The first people the child senses will be identified as their parents. And from there the mother and father begins to... teach him or her. What is hot, we learn from the parent's experience. What is cold as well."

“That’s an interesting way of doing things” Alicia smiled. “But I’m a firm believer in tactile learning by touch and exploration.”

Savar listened as Alicia and Arri spoke of different ways of teaching the young. "Both methods have definite advantages however I must side with Alicia in this one learns through their own experiences especially a child. They must learn first hand what is hot or cold and so on. We as parents can try to minimize any harmful effects but the child must undertake the learning process."

"True. But it's no different than humans. To an Alindari, telepathy is the first thing our children experience." Arri mentioned as she petted the puppy. "I imagine he's going to be spoiled by this crew." Arri smiled softly.

Savar watched as Arri petted the puppy. "I believe if judging Alicia and your behavior towards the puppy that is a very safe assumption to make Arri."

“I think she was referring to Connor?” Alicia looked at Arri. “Or did you mean the puppy?” She looked curiously at Arri. “Almost 5 weeks pregnant and I’m already a scatterbrain!”

"I believe that is common with humanoid pregnancy." Arri noted. "Facing life and death over these last weeks, I begin to realize how precious life is."

Alicia nodded in agreement. “Life is very precious, it’s easy to take it for granted until something makes you stop and reevaluate.”

"We think we have all the time in the world then one morning you wake up and find you do not." Savar added.

“All the more reason to live life to the fullest” Alicia smiled warmly. “I live every day to the fullest and best it can be.”

OFF