RCW: Childhood illness

Posted on Fri Jan 2nd, 2026 @ 1:52pm by Jr Journeyman Terliyn & Sr Journeyman Nikolai & Jr Journeyman Marika

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: RCW
Timeline: M3 D29

Kanri sniffled a bit as she sat on the floor of the weyr. Marika had just picked them up from the creche and Nika was happily bouncing around. Kanri whimpered a little.

“Mommy?” The little girl sniffed, bringing Marika out of the back room in a hurry.

“Oh Kan,” she soothed, scooping her youngest up where Kanri quickly snuggled against her. “Come on, Nika. Let's go see daddy,” she said as Nika happily walked over.

Nikolai was just cleaning up to come home when he noticed his whole family there. He smiled and dried up his hands to come over to them. “Hello you lot.” He greeted before he took in Kanri’s flushed looking appearance. He frowned a little and touched his fingers to her forehead.

Kanri whimpered a bit at her father's touch. “Hey Niko,” Marika smiled a bit. “Wanted to surprise you for dinner but little Kanri had different ideas,” she sighed.

“Hi daddy,” Nika grinned.

“Hi baby.” The man greeted his eldest before taking his youngest from her mother and headed to where a cot bed was and sat down with the toddler. “Well didn’t you just have different ideas little one. There is a nasty respiratory infection going around the creche right now.” He said softly.

Nika was thankfully still very happy and healthy. Both being sick would be bad. Kanri barely nodded as she sniffled again. It was easy to see she was miserable.

“There is?” Marika asked.

“Aye a few children have come in today with it.” The man said smiling still as he took the readings from the little girl before he put her on the cot. “Terliyn!” He called seeing the woman passing.

“Oh hello everyone.” Terliyn said smiling. “Yes?

“Can you get me that stuff we used on Ariana, Ziea and Siera this morning.” He requested kneeling on the floor stroking his daughter's hair out of her face. Terliyn made an oh face as she took in the situation properly.

Marika sighed softly. “That's not good,” she commented, looking down at Nika.

Kanri rubbed at her face, sniffing again. It was easy to see she didn't feel well.

“Itll be a bit of a sleepless night for me but she’ll be okay.” Nikolai soothed everyone as Terliyn moved off to sort out the requested items.

Kanri looked up at her father. “No feel good,” she whispered.

“What can I do?” Marika asked as Nika stayed close to her leg.

“I know, baby.” The man assured picking up the little girl and held her against his chest, rocking her a little. She was hot and bothered but he felt like she needed a hug more than anything.

“Grab some wet cloths. How do you feel Nik?” He wondered.

Marika nodded and quickly got busy collecting those items. Kanri buried her face in her father's shirt and cried softly.

Nika looked up at her father. “I'm okay,” she smiled.

“Good.” He leaned out and caressed her cheek and tucked a piece of hair behind her head. “Brave girl.” He praised softly as he rocked the toddler a little more. She would feel alright once Terliyn and Marika came back.

Nika watched her sister. “She's sick?” The little girl asked, watching before looking up at his gentle touch. A smile lit up her young face.

Kanri continued to whimper, not feeling well at all.

“Yep. Just like you have been over the turns.” He scooped his eldest up and plopped her onto the cot next to him. Terliyn walked in slowly and handed over the warm compress for Kanri’s chest.

“Want my help?” She offered.

“Nah me and Mari got this.” He assured smiling at the woman’s offer. She was ready to go home herself to her own babies and there she was offering to help.

Nika nodded a bit as Kanri slowly unburied her face. Marika returned a few minutes later with the wet cloths. She hated seeing the girls sick..

The man smiled and slowly worked off Kanri’s top to put the hot compress on her chest and put a cloth on her head. “She’ll be okay.” The man assured as he bundled the toddler in a fur.

“Dud,” Kanri whimpered amidst tears. Any kind of touch hurt.

Marika cringed as she lifted Nika into her arms. She cuddled her daughter close.

“I know, little one.” He soothed pulling Kanri against him and cuddled her close. He hated seeing her like this. “Why don’t you take Nika to get dinner? We can stay here for a little bit to make sure things are calmer.” He said gently.

Marika nodded. “I'll bring some food back,” she answered, carrying Nika out.

Kanri looked up at her father. “It hurt.”

“It will baby but it stopped soon enough. Get some sleep.” He encouraged wrapping the fur around her better as he brought her up a little more to cuddle close. She would feel better soon enough once the compress helped her chest.

Kanri still whimpered, snuggling close to her father. The little girl normally loved snuggles but right then she hurt. She closed her eyes, wanting to listen and sleep.

Nikolai got comfortable and started to sing softly. It was only random teaching songs that he remembered but he knew it would settle her down and soon she would be asleep and healing.