Some sneezes are more hazardous than others.

[skysung]

Kitten sneezes.

For most people, this wouldn't be such a remarkable thing, but then, most people are not sixteen year old dragons who have never, aside from a single case of indigestion, been sick in their lives. Most people also don't sneeze gouts of flame.

Kitten flings herself at the curtain she just set on fire, tearing it down and stomping on it. When she coughs smoke, the dragon eyes her surroundings and makes for an exit. She has to get outside. On stones, preferably. Somewhere she can't burn a building down around herself and anyone else who happens to be inside it.

She did see the message about illness, but Kitten assumed it wouldn't affect her. Immortals don't get sick. That she is now, and that fatalities were mentioned? Well, that's worrying.

Kitten is thoroughly miserable in her first illness, blue scales turning grey as she sulks about just how awful she feels. She is, after all, still a baby, however intelligent she may be. As time wears on, she gets more and more exhausted, color slipping out of her scales as they fade to near white. She'll have far less energy and patience for attempting to deal with communication barriers the more tired she gets.

Much of her investigation of the city so far has been done while camouflaged, scales blending in with her surroundings, so a 45 inch long dragon may come as a bit of a surprise to other residents. Right now, she certainly isn't bothering to hide herself.

Comments

[minicaptain]

The horn-like ridges on Naomi's forehead may or may not be strange, too. Every so often, she tilts her head so they're visible, but for the most part, she's curled up in a way that may keep them a little more hidden. At the concern, Naomi shakes her head. She looks about as miserable as she feels.

"I'm sick and I can't get home to see my mom," she says as bravely as she can. "She's going to worry so much."

[skysung]

Kitten takes a look at Naomi and exhales all the breath in her so there's nothing left to fuel a fire. She approaches and rests her snout against Naomi's leg in comfort.

For the sake of a child, Kit is willing to fumble around the device with her claws, which are far from ideal for typing. She pulls it out of the small pouch she's been wearing around her neck, typing on the screen, 'No time will pass. She won't worry. The doors will open after quarantine.'

Of course, that might not be much reassurance. Kitten hopes that Naomi, at least, won't get sicker. She offers the device.

[minicaptain]

Convinced that this is a holodeck simulation, Naomi isn't really taking the reassurance. She can pretend. A little. She just nods, still looking miserable. At the end of the day, whether she's six or four or whatever other age, she's still a sick child who wants her mom. Offering the device back, Naomi reaches for her combadge. It's never worked while she's in here and that's just as distressing now as it was amusing at first. She can't even tell her mom that she's sick and she wants to be asleep in their quarters.

"I hope you're right," she says instead, dropping into a typical child's reaction and acting her age for once in her life. "I don't even have my stuffed Flotter here. I want to go home."

Home for her being Voyager. It's all she's ever known.

[skysung]

Kitten wishes she weren't afraid of sneezing fire right now. She doesn't usually act like a pet, but she's always made exceptions for children. The dragon would be more than willing to climb into Naomi's lap for comfort and cuddling. She exhales every bit of air from her lungs and nuzzles Naomi's leg affectionately.

She types again, 'My name is Skysong, but you can call me Kitten.'

Naomi won't have to go through a game of charades today, unlike other new acquaintances.

[minicaptain]

Normally, Naomi would love charades. It's one of her favorite games and she's very good at it. But today? No. It would not be a fun game.

Naomi reaches to give the dragon's head a little pet. "You have a pretty name. I'm Naomi. Will you stay with me? At least for today?"

[skysung]

Of course she'll stay. Kitten may still be a baby in dragon terms, but she's very much a big sister, with two younger siblings of her own. If Naomi needs company, someone to keep her from dwelling on how she feels and worrying about getting home, Kitten can do that.

She nods immediately.

Kitten isn't much of a musician, but she's heard enough songs that, if she's careful to keep magic out of her voice, she can whistle a verse or two. It might be as much an attempt to cheer herself up as Naomi.

[minicaptain]

Naomi might not know the song or where it came from, but a little bit of music never hurt, especially when accompanied by a friend. Naomi manages to stay awake for a while, but soon enough, her eyes close, her breathing slows, and she falls asleep.

It's probably temporary, but she really could use the rest, especially if she's sick.