"Can you please repeat that?" Ikora asks incredulously. The shorter warlock huffs, crossing her arms over her chest as her frequent mission partner waits silently nearby.
"I won't be taking any more missions outside of the city, I'm pregnant." Well… that's what she thought she'd heard the first time.
Ikora lets out a sigh. This is not the first time a Guardian chose to take themselves off of active missions but it is a little inconvenient. Sylvia is one of their top researchers in the ways of the Light and how it interacts with biological matter.
But Ikora understands. Being a Guardian is a difficult and dangerous life. Often times a Guardian won'tt even realize they are carrying before their next death and by then it was too late to save the growing life within them. A Ghost is only able to revive their own Guardian, after all is said and done.
"Has the father been informed?" If they were a dweller of the city it would be a good idea to speak with them. A Guardian's life is filled with dangerous missions, it would be a terrible idea to keep the child if the other parent could take them once they're born.
Movement caught her attention and her eyes flick over to the Warlock's mission partner. The man is an imposing figure, a Titan by the name of Ronan, and as he shifts on his feet with his shoulders hunched up around his ears Ikora can't help but let out a long-suffering sigh.
"So the good news is that the father already knows." Sylvia says with a smile that is far too innocent to be real.
Ikora can feel a headache coming and turns to glare at Cayde when he smothers another laugh with his hand.
Zavala just stands there stoically, brows furrowed in concentration.
"Your research is important but it can be done just as easily inside the city as outside of it." It will take a little extra work to get her some of the research items she required but it is doable. "Are you certain you wish to keep the child?" She asks gently. "The life of a Guardian is dangerous. Surely having a child between the two of you…" If both of them died permanently on a mission then who would look after the child?
Sylvia's dark amber eyes flash with determination, her lips pressing into a stubborn line. "I'm keeping them."
"We don't know what having two Guardians as biological parents will even do. To my knowledge this has never happened before." Because Ghosts have a tendency to regulate all aspects of a Guardian's health, not just resurrecting them from death or tending to their wounds. "The child might not even survive. If you die-"
"I am having this child, end of discussion!" The woman snaps, arms curling protectively over her abdomen.
Ikora startles slightly at the fierceness of the declaration, feeling her concern for the Warlock rise.
"Vi." A large hand gently grips the woman's shoulder as her Titan partner hovers protectively. "Her concerns are valid, and I know we talked about them between us but Ikora doesn't know that. Take a deep breath." The woman practically melts against her partner and now that Ikora is looking she can see the devotion in their eyes as they stare at one another.
"Stress and anger aren't good for the fetus." Darwin, Sylvia's Ghost, states clinically. "You need to remain as calm as possible if you want the child to develop properly." There is a hint of excitement and curiosity in his voice as he too hovers around the Warlock.
"If this is the path you wish to take," Zavala says, "then I will assign you to the city as a permanent guard." He is looking at Ronan as says this. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sir. And… I'm sorry you had to find out suddenly like this." The man ducks his head, a bashful smile on his face.
Ikora takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "If you are certain about this then I will assign you a laboratory here in the tower to continue your research." Tentatively she reaches out and brushes her fingers against the woman's arm in a show of support. "If you need anything, come speak with me."
Sylvia nods, finally relaxing as an accepting smile crosses her face. "I will, and thank you." She glances down at her abdomen and her eyes practically glow with wonder. "This is the right thing to do. I just know it."
Ikora hopes she's right.