KH:: Family Morning

Posted on Tue Jun 17th, 2025 @ 5:20pm by Theeressa & Sr Journeyman Nikolai & Jr Journeyman Marika & Sr Journeyman Riklan

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: Kymos Hold
Timeline: M2 D29

Marika woke early the next morning, not knowing where she was. Nothing sounded normal and she was surprised the girls were still asleep. She scrubbed at her face to wake up more, bumping into a warm shape in bed next to her.

“Niko?” She whispered, still trying to get her bearings back.

“Mmm…” the voice responded, sounding confused and sleepy. Nikolai blinked several times as he woke up to a much lighter room than he was used to and looked around. “Morning.” He mumbled, smiling happily as he remembered last night. It had been such a nice gather.

Marika finally relaxed again, snuggling against Nikolai's warm side. “Sorry I woke you. I forgot where I was for a moment,” she admitted. She felt wherrybrained but it was true.

The man turned and hugged her to his chest. “It’s okay. We need to get up soon and enjoy the day.” He smiled, kissing her cheek. “Sleep well?” He wondered quietly not hearing any noise from the around them.

She rested her head against his chest. “Mmm I am content to stay here a bit longer,” she admitted, knowing the girls would be up soon. “I did. It was different but nice.”

“Bit bright.” He noted laughing a little, closing his eyes against the sunshine. He was used to waking up to darkness and glowlights. He was not sure which one he preferred but it had been a long time since he had woken like that. He was sure the last time might have been the day in the loft when they had gotten a little too friendly.

She laughed a bit and buried her face. “It is bright,” she agreed. She had grown accustomed to the Weyr and the darkness. “When was the last time we woke up like this?” She asked, not wanting to move yet.

“Me and you in that loft.” He chuckled, wrapping her closer. “And before that at Harper Hall. I think I prefer the Weyr though. I am certainly a child of the Weyr after all.” He chuckled softly. His parents and him had never been close, they had him and he had been fostered as soon as he could have been but they had been a flight coupling.

Marika laughed at that memory. “I still can't believe I did that. I've never been that bold,” she grinned, snuggling close. “I like the Weyr. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.” it wasn't a place she had ever thought about being but the Weyr had become home very quickly.

“Cannot say I have been either but any time I see hay in your hair I think of that day.” He admitted brushing a hand through her hair softly. “Like I said. If you ever need to leave or change that thought you know I’d follow.” He said quietly as he heard soft voices outside which was Theeressa talking to children.

She giggled as he ran his hand through her hair. “Best choice of my life,” she whispered. Marika nodded. “I know, but i am very happy at the Weyr and the girls are flourishing.” She glanced toward the door, knowing they would need to get up soon.

It was the only choice he had ever made out of love and need rather than duty or loyalty. “I’ll get up.” The man said, pressing a kiss into her hair as he gave a final squeeze as he untangled himself from her.

It had been the only time Marika had ever put herself out like that and she didn't regret a moment of it. She loved Nikolai with her whole heart. “Ugg! I'm not far behind,” she answered, shivering as he left the bed.

The man smiled as he quickly changed clothes into something a little more respectful before he gave his wife a quick kiss and headed out. He smiled as he headed out to Theeressa and the four girls, all at the table, eating porridge all ready.

“Hello, Niko.” She greeted moving to grab him a bowl too.

Marika waited a few extra minutes, just enjoying the warmth and quiet. Soon thought she climbed out of bed herself and got dressed. She was still braiding her hair when she stepped out of the m.bedroom.

“Morning mama,” Nika called and Nikolai scooped her up so that Marika could have a seat next to their youngest and Laressa.

“Here. Hold Kassa, and I’ll get you some Klah and porridge.” Theeressa said smiling at the older woman.

“Morning sweetie,” Marika smiled, asking the offered seat as Nikolai scooped Nika up. Kanri watched with big eyes as Marika took Kassa. “Thank you,” she smiled at Theeressa, wondering where her brother was. “Rik still asleep?”

“Yes but he was pulled out of bed middle of the night thanks to several injuries from drunk patrons at the golden dragon.” She said smiling a little at the confusion with the knocking at the knocking at the door in the night.

Marika cringed. “Ouch that is rough.” She knew that feeling. Nikolai had been called out a few times like that as well. “Don't blame him for being asleep still then.”

“He would never be asleep on a day like this unless he needed to be.” Theeressa assured handing over bowls of porridge to the pair before taking back her tiny baby to sit and eat her own breakfast.

Marika nodded. She completely understood. Nika bounced on her father's lap, not at all worn out like the adults. “This smells wonderful, Theeressa. Thank you.”

Theeressa smiled. “Well eat up there is plenty.” The woman assured looking tired as she smiled and stroked Kanri’s face as the toddler looked confused at all the people.

Marika nodded and took a spoonful, glancing at Nikolai as she knew Nika would want to share his. Kanri looked up at her aunt, her eyes still wide.

Riklan stumbled in a little bit later. “Morning,” he yawned.

“Morning lovely.” Theeressa smiled at the man and stood to get him some food and klah. She place it in her seat as she moved to put Kassa in her crib in the living area and grabbed up Kanri happy to snuggle the toddler and try and comfort them.

“Daddy!” Laressa yelled happily that she had all her family there together.

Riklan chuckled a bit. “Hey sweetheart,” he smiled, sliding into the empty seat. “Thanks Theer.”

Kanri snuggled against her aunt, still watching all the people. Marika smiled at her youngest as Nika grinned up at her father.

“Eat.” Nikolai laughed as the girl on his lap wiggled around. The girl laughed and tucked into the same bowl as Nikolai. The man rolled his eyes but carried on grabbing the second bowl so he would at least get something. “Theeressa said you got dragged from your bed?” He said as the woman just smiled at her name being mentioned.

Riklan yawned a bit. “Yeah. Not the best way to be woke up. Way too much drinking for a lot of people yesterday,” he answered. Those kinds of parties always ended up bad for the Healers.

“Should have woken me up.” Nikolai reprimanded softly. He had been drinking but he sobered pretty quickly if he needed to for healing.

“I think he forgot we had guests as he was so confused being woken.” Theeressa grinned.

Riklan's cheeks colored a little. “Yeah sorry. Theer's right. I wasn't really thinking of anything except getting out there to help.” He should have woken his brother-in-law. Nikolai would have been a great help.

Nikolai grinned at the embarrassment before shaking his head. “I am sure I can forgive for the extra sleep I have gotten.” Nikolai chuckled. “And your wife's porridge. Really Theeressa you should come to the Weyr and cook.” He said quietly.

“No, thank you I like the open space and you remember this is how me and Rik met.” Theeressa chuckled, giving Kanri her spoon to feed herself.

“I am very happy I had my husband all night,” Marika grinned. Although she knew her poor brother could have used the help.

Riklan raised a brow. “Are you trying to get my wife to leave here?” He grinned as Kanri started to dig into the porridge.

“This is good food.” Nikolai teased. “I did not say you weren’t invited.” He added, nudging the man as he smiled at the girls, watching as Kanri started to eat. She was growing as quickly as a tubber which

Riklan laughed easily. If that was what Theeressa wanted then they would move. Whatever made her happy. “They grow too quickly,” he commented, looking at his own girls before looking at his nieces.

Theeressa shook her head shivering at the thought of the Weyr and living within the rocks again. They could talk about it another time but she certainly was not considering moving as she loved Kymos Hold. “They really do.” He said squeezing Nika and pressing a kiss to her hair.

Nika giggled as her father hugged her tight. Marika smiled at her family. “You guys do seem very happy here,” she commented. She loved seeing her brother and friend so happy.

“Far Site was nice but I am glad we moved here.” Theeressa decided as she quietly hid a yawn before her hand. “Sorry… still not quite awake.”
She grabbed up her klah to take another swig to wake up a bit more.

Marika nodded. “It's okay,” she assured her friend. It had been a long night.

Riklan smiled at his wife, knowing the feeling. “Not much sleep either, love?” He asked gently. “I can watch the girls if you wanna lay down for a bit longer.”

“Kassa was awake a lot but it is okay, I am awake and here just yawning.” She said apologetically. She offered a smile as she stood up and grabbed the klah kettle to pour a fresh mug.

“If you're sure,” Riklan answered. He didn't mind watching the girls. For the moment he wasn't due anywhere since he got called out the night before.

Marika grinned over at Nikolai. They had had many nights like that too.

Nikolai smiled back and, leaning over and grabbed his youngest daughter and started to wipe her face. “You have done so much Theeressa, please rest,” Nikolai said winking at Riklan. He knew what it was like having a wife at that stage of trying to recover.

Riklan mouthed a thank you. Theeressa didn't like to listen to him but maybe she would Nikolai.

Kanri giggled as Nikolai wiped her face. Marika got to her feet. “I can take care of the dishes and klah refills.”

Theeressa shook her head but the woman was already starting on klah refills as Nikolai nodded. He knew better than to say it outright, but the woman did so much and had to be exhausted. “Well, once this one is slightly cleaner, I will dry so that seems fair to help clean up stuff before I’han comes to get us all.”

Marika hadn't given Theeressa a chance to argue. She knew she had been the same way and Nikolai had pretty much had to step in and start doing things before she could. “Seems fair to me,” Marika agreed.

“Okay okay…” Theeressa smiled a little and sat down drinking her klah. “Thank you but you really did not need to.” She assured him. She was just trying to be a good host to her family but it seemed like they had it all in hand.

“Of course we did,” Marika grinned, hugging her friend's shoulders as she walked by.

Riklan yawned a bit again, hating still feeling tired.

Theeressa just watched them smiling. She was lucky to have all these people in her life and thankful to them for allowing her to become a better person. Not many people would have accepted her past but they had it was enough to make her cry some days. “I love you guys.” She finally said.

Riklan smiled at his wife while Marika hugged her again. “We love you too. You make our lives complete and you keep my brother sane.”

Theeressa smiled as Marika hugged her from behind again. The red head relaxed at the older woman’s words as Laressa giggled. “I love you too mama.” She commented.

“See? We all love you,” Riklan chuckled. He had never expected a life like this but he wouldn't change it.