A flock of chattering Aerobics flew over the vast Mireh hillsides; their strong wings carrying them on the winds which rustled the grasses and flora creating a wonderfully peaceful ambiance to a wonderfully beautiful day. Ashdod let out a contented sigh as yet another wave of peace washed through her like the wind washed through the grasses around her. Mireh was quite different so far inland, but similar enough to her waters that nothing felt too foreign. As if beckoned by her intense peace in isolation, muffled voices carried on the winds. Voices Ashdod did not wish to hear just yet. She let out a low groan now so that the soon to arrive intruders of her peace would not see her displeasure in their company. Right on queue, Torook and Rita called out to the older Saltwater excitedly causing them to pick up the pace and trot over to where Ashdod laid.

"Ashdod!" Rita said again once they were close enough for an actual conversation "There you are. We have been looking for you!"
Forcing a smile, she replied "ah yes, I was taking a mere moment to enjoy the peace, and quiet." a small pause gave emphasis to the quiet, a fact which was lost on the excitable adolescents.
"We have some whelps who would love to meet you as well! The young ones Aisling and Botanica have so many questions and we are all eager to learn from you." Torook joined in, a genuine smile plastered over his youthful features. Their energy was hard to stay mad at, yet was so exhausting at the same time.
"Of course" Ashdod replied "I would be more than happy to meet these young ones. Tell me more about the little Salties as we walk."
Torook looked a little uncomfortable, his smile faltering, so Rita interjected.
"Well their parents are not Saltwater's like us." Rita started, gaining a knowing nod from Ashdod - the phenomenon had been known through the Native communities. "Aisling is, well, unique. She managed to gain extra digits - but that doesn't stop her at all! She is very curious and eager to learn."
That information seemed to be unimportant to Ashdod. "And what about young Botanica?"
"Well you see..."

The trio had managed to make their way swiftly back to Or'Sol's outskirts where two very young whelps ran up to them - one stocky and bounding as Saltwater's do, but the other ran more upright without using her forelimbs. Ashdod could not help but stare at the Tsabhua whelp who ran so easily next to her sister; vastly different phenotypes and yet something so clearly gave away that they were full blooded siblings. A something which Ashdod could not quite put her finger on and yet intrigues her so.

"Hi!" Both Botanica and Aisling shouted in unison, almost a competition of who could shout loudest.
"Oh my I am so happy to meet you!" Botanica started shouting, only to be interrupted by her sister.
"Will you please tell us about you, about us?"
"I want to know too! How can I be better at swimming?" Botanica started asking a question which definitely got Ashdod's attention.
"I-" Ashdod began.
"Please please tell us all you know!" Aisling's eyes turned big and pleading as both whelps crowded over Ashdod who was appearing quite overwhelmed by the whole ordeal.

"Hey, please stop!" Torook said sternly, a voice which definitely got the whelps attention. "Poor Ashdod should not be so crowded. Back off."
Aisling did as she was told and backed off a couple of steps, however Botanica looked up at the strong, albeit over stimulated, Native with large awe filled eyes and maintained close contact at all times.
"I am so sorry about them." Rita started, finally gathering herself "They are our clans newest whelps and, well, they have many questions. Just as we did when we were born."
Ashdod looked over at the adolescents, a kind of sorrow in her eyes, but her mind reeled with curiosity. So many questions the young ones had, yes. However there were so many questions that she and the other Saltwaters had as well especially regarding Botanica and Aisling.
"Worry not" Ashdod sat so she could easily put a paw on Rita's shoulder as a way to offer comfort. "I will stay at least a couple of days. We will all have plenty of time to get to know one another. And hopefully answer some of our questions."
Rita nodded, trying to keep her face as neutral as possible so to not give away the fact that her eyes had begun to tear up. Torook's beaming smile had finally left his face and a sombre expression filled the group as each became briefly lost in their own thoughts, feelings and expectations on how the following few days would play out.