The Great Birthingday Heist (2/2)

Writers: Heather, Shawna, Sia
Date Posted: 15th February 2025
Series: N'kevyn's Firelizard Hunt

Characters: Aydhan, Aydhara, N'kevyn, N'kayden
Description: N'kevyn birthday picnic has more than a few surprises.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 4, day 14 of Turn 12

Aydhan

Aydhara

N'kevyn

N'kayden

“How much longer do we have to do this, Mom?” N’kayden groaned, dragging the rake behind him and leaving a zigzagging trail of furrowed sand.

N’kevyn was farther down the beach, and ever once in a while he’d let out a horrible whistle from his ‘firelizard call’. Aydhara was several strides away, jumping further back every time he did.

"We can probably stop whenever we like." Aydhan said cheerily. She wasn't putting much effort into the beachcombing anyway. "Maybe if we start snacking the two of them will come in."

Suddenly, the periodic calls ended with what sounded like a strangled squawk as N’kevyn tried to shout through it. Taking it out of his mouth, he bellowed, “I found something!” He waved his rake in the air and pointed to a disturbed area of sand near some rocks above the tide line.

Aydhara straightened, squinting over at him and followed his rake to the area. "Are you sure it's not a spiderclaw nest this time?" She called back. She did start scrambling through the sand to get to him, though.

N’kayden glanced at his mother and then toward his squawking father. “Let’s go see what random animal’s home he’s disturbed this time.” He said it with a smile though as he propped his rake against his shoulder and struck off across the sand.

“Hope not, or I’m about to be pinched again,” N’kevyn crouched down and started brushing the sand away with his hand, and then gave out another whoop, “Look what we found!” He held up a small egg.

Aydhan rested the rake against one shoulder but otherwise did not move. She could celebrate the success once it was all packed away or offer consolation birthday cake when they were done. But when N'kevyn's excitement didn't falter, she waved excitedly back.

Aydhara, on the other hand, nearly bowled clean into her father in her rush to get there. "Ohmigosh _Dad_! Look at that one!" She pointed to another egg in what was quickly showing to be a large clutch, with a similar telltale shimmer of yellow like their large cousins.

“Remember what we agreed!” N’kevyn said with the desperate tone of a parent sure they were about to be talked out of something, “Whoever finds them gets the biggest one!”

"Whatever, _Dad_," Aydhara said with a dramatic roll of her eyes. "Like I want a gold egg. C'mon, you're going to need more than a couple stitches if the fair gets back and sees you messing with the nest." She quickly snagged two and bolted back across the sand, towards the (presumed) safety of Tymborikath and Avicath.

N’kayden felt a little guilty about ‘stealing’ the eggs. What if the mommy firelizard returned? But it didn’t keep him from snatching a couple of the eggs up as well. “I can’t believe you actually found a clutch!” This was directed at his father as he stuck the eggs in the sand by Aberath.

“This is why it's important to do your research and get the proper tools,” N’kevyn said, as if he hadn’t just bought into every gimmick available. He quickly gathered up the remaining eggs and also scooping some of the sand from the area into a handy sack bought just for this occasion. “We should head back before these get too cold.” The potential cake was clearly forgotten.

"You heard the man, kids." Aydhan said with a long suffering sigh. She'd been looking forward to lounging on the beach. "Eggs in the bag, then let's get out before the mama comes back."

Last updated on the February 18th 2025

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