I'm Going to be a Dolphineer 2/2

Writers: Cali, Rylie
Date Posted: 1st March 2006

Characters: Trellyn, Shauni
Description: Shauni interviews with Kibb and Mal
Location: Dolphin Hall
Date: month 10, day 11 of Turn 3

Shauni's heart leapt within her just as the dolphins approaching leapt out of the water. She was no longer nervous, this was pure joy! Growing up on and around fishing boats, she had seen dolphins many times, but only met and touched one one time. The importance of "the interview" had faded with the anticipation of this moment. She flashed a brilliant smile to Trellyn.

"You can swim?" Trellyn asked the girl, just to make sure, as the two dolphins reached the dock.

"Since I could walk!" Shauni answered enthusiastically. Trellyn squatted down to greet the two, "I've Shauni here. She's the one that's interviewing to be a dolphineer."

"Auni!" squeed Mal in excitement, while Trellyn's partner Kibb took a more cautious approach and just laid on his side and looked at her with his big black eye. "And what are your names?" Shauni asked the dolphins, squatting down to be closer to them.

Mal pushed himself up on his tail, "Mal, I Mal!" He loved to talk to new people and especially liked names. Kibb didn't answer, but continued to watch Shauni so Trellyn spoke for him.
"And this is Kibb, he's my partner." "It's very nice to meet you, Mal, Kibb," the small girl offerred aware that Trellyn's partner seemed to be eying her rather cautiously. She really wanted to touch them, but knew how annoyed she got when people were always coming up to pat her head. Considering this was an interview, Shauni figured that she should make all efforts to be especially polite. "How is fishing today?"

Mal clicked and nodded his head, "Fish good. Many many fish!"

Kibb approached the dock and stopped in front of Shauni, "Come swim now Auni." Shauni was quick to obey, diving into the water with ease and surfacing close to the two dolphins. Trellyn watched as the two dolphins quickly encircled her as she treaded water. She had enternally groaned when Kibb had responded for the interview, she loved her partner, but he was rough with the kids sometimes.
"Shauni, remember to take good breaths!" she called, just as she saw Kibb jump into the air and land with a splash next to the girl, swamping her with water.

Shauni sputtered and coughed, but managed to give Trellyn a nod. Luckily her older brothers had thought it great fun to surprise her with splashing, dunking, and unexpected trips into the water so she was able to take the drenching in stride. "Take fin, Auni." Mal said as Kibb moved next to her. Shauni joyfully did as she was instructed getting a firm grip on Kibb's fin and taking a good breath. Trellyn watched as Shauni got a grip and was instantly pulled along by Kibb though the water. He dove down and she lost her grip from the sudden movement. Kibb resurfaced and presented his fin again. Trellyn was pleased to see her immediately try again, and watched as she dove down this time with Kibb. They swam, dove, and resurfaced several more times, eventually coming up next to the dock. The ride with Kibb, though far from easy, had been a dream come true for the diminuitive girl. Nothing like she might have expected. Being a dolphineer would certainly ensure she was in great physical condition. Even if she didn't pass the interview, that single ride had been worth the attempt. "How'd she do?" Trellyn asked Kibb and Mal.

They conversed among themselves in squeeks and clicks Trellyn didn't even try to understand before finally Kibb answered, "Auni make good dolphineer."

Shauni let out the breath she hadn't even known she had been holding. She had passed. She was going to be a dolphineer. The smile that spread across her face was for Trellyn, the dolphins, and indeed all of Pern.

Last updated on the March 2nd 2006

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I'm Going to be a Dolphineer 2/2