The shop owner placed all five Dropie eggs into a rectangular incubator box made of soft, magically treated cotton. The box itself shimmered faintly—expandable, compressible, alive with gentle warmth.
At the center sat a small heat stone, glowing amber beneath layers of cushioning."That stone keeps the temperature stable," the owner explained, tucking the last egg inside. "Dropies need consistent warmth. This box adapts to climate, movement, even sudden temperature shifts."
With a wave of her hand, the owner compressed the entire incubator down—smaller, smaller—until it fit perfectly into the size of Tavriel's little finger.
It hung there like a charm, glowing softly.
Tavriel gasped."Moi… moi…"
Thirukumaran bent down, smiling at her twinkling eyes."You happy, my girl?"
She nodded so hard her curls bounced.
Lunivelle sighed, arms crossed but smile undeniable."Thiru, you spoiled her."
"She inherited it from her mother," he said without shame.
Lunivelle flicked his coat. "Flattery won't erase that bill."
The owner added, "Since the eggs are glowing, they're already mature. They should hatch by tonight."
Tavriel clapped, shouting, "Naiii! Moi!!" (her version of tonight)
Lunivelle lifted her daughter. "Then we'll welcome them home properly."
Thirukumaran carried the tiny incubator box gently, as if holding the fate of worlds. Together, the family made their way out of the magical pet shop and into the warm, bustling streets—hearts light, hands full, new life literally glowing at their fingertips.
Tavriel clung to her father, babbling joyful nonsense into his shoulder all the way home.
Back at home, they dropped all their shopping bags, their shoes, and half their exhaustion at the door.
Lunivelle sat with Tavriel and gently breastfed her, humming a soft lullaby. Tavriel's eyelids immediately drooped; her little hands relaxed, falling limp against her mother.
Thirukumaran watched them with a quiet smile—warm, peaceful, grateful.
When Tavriel finished, she curled up in her father's lap and fell asleep instantly.
Thirukumaran sipped his coffee with one hand, the tiny incubator resting in the other."I think she loves today more than her birthday."
Lunivelle laughed softly. "She doesn't know what a birthday is."
"She knows what happiness is," he said.
She touched his cheek. "You gave her that."
He leaned into her hand. "We gave her that."
Time drifted softly.
Eventually, Thirukumaran dozed off with Tavriel still in his lap on the couch, her tiny head rising and falling with his breathing.
Lunivelle watched them fondly, then rose and went to prepare dinner.
While Tavriel slept in Thirukumaran's lap, Lunivelle plated the meal and placed it on the table—warm dishes glowing faintly under the rune-lights.
Thirukumaran shifted carefully, adjusting Tavriel without waking her."She sleeps like a tiny boss," he whispered.
Lunivelle sat beside him, amused. "She rules you. Completely."
"She rules the whole house," he corrected. "We're just taxpayers."
Lunivelle laughed softly. "I don't mind. She's worth it."
They began eating together—quiet at first, the peaceful kind, the kind married couples earn over years of shared life.
After a few bites, Thirukumaran looked at her."You know… every Zero'thday I imagine what our life would look like if the worlds never collided."
Lunivelle tilted her head, curious. "And?"
"Well…" he leaned closer, "…I'm still in every version. Standing next to you. Apparently I'm persistent in all universes."
She smiled, brushing her foot against his under the table."You? Persistent? No, Thiru… you're relentless."
He placed his free hand dramatically on his chest. "Ah, you wound me. I'm romantic, Luna."
"You're a romantic menace," she corrected, taking a sip of her drink.
"I'll take it," he said, grinning.
They ate a little more.
Lunivelle glanced at him from the corner of her eye."Thank you… for today. For the dresses, for spoiling Tavriel… and for the eggs."
He raised a brow. "You mean the creatures that might melt if ignored?"
"That part concerns me," she admitted.
"I'll take care of them," he said. "I promise."
"Really?" she teased. "You couldn't even keep the basil plant alive."
"Hey, that plant was dramatic," he protested. "It died because I breathed near it."
Lunivelle laughed—soft, luminous."Thiru, everything dies when you breathe too close."
He stared at her in mock betrayal. "Wow. Betrayed at dinner. My wife is brutal."
She touched his cheek, thumb brushing lightly. "My husband is too easy to tease."
He softened at the touch, eyes warming."I like hearing you laugh like that."
She lowered her gaze for a moment, the softness between them settling like warm night air.
Then she whispered, "I love our life."
He leaned in, forehead brushing hers lightly."I love our life too, Luna. Even the chaotic parts. Maybe especially the chaotic parts."
Tavriel shifted in his lap, making a small sleepy noise—"Da…"
They both froze, smiling.
Lunivelle whispered, "She's dreaming about you."
"Of course she is," Thirukumaran whispered back. "She's a Daddy's girl."
Lunivelle's eyes sparkled. "Only until she grows up."
"Oh no," he groaned softly. "Don't say that. I'm not mentally ready."
She laughed again and returned to eating.He watched her for a moment, soaking in the quiet beauty of the moment—their home, their daughter, their strange magical life.
Lunivelle nudged his arm."Eat, Thiru. Don't just stare."
"I'm admiring," he said.
"You're staring," she corrected.
"Let me stare at my wife in peace."
She shook her head, but her smile betrayed her."Fine. But only because you're cute when you pretend to be smooth."
"I am smooth."
"You're smooth like a rock," she said.
"A very handsome rock," he insisted.
She laughed again, resting her hand on his shoulder."Yes. My handsome rock."
Dinner passed like that—easy teasing, soft glances, comfortable silence, the kind of warmth that only comes from years of shared mornings, shared burdens, and shared joy.
And beneath the peaceful hum of their home, the little incubator of Dropie eggs glowed faintly in the background… waiting.
Dinner was simple and warm, and Tavriel—still half-asleep—lay in her father's arms while he and Lunivelle ate side by side.
Later, they settled on the couch again, watching a calming show on the hologramic TV—soft blues and golds reflecting across the room.
Tavriel now slept curled in Lunivelle's lap, her small hand resting gently over her mother's gown.
The incubator box sat on the table, glowing faintly.
Then—
It glowed brighter.
Much brighter.
Thirukumaran leaned forward. "Luna… it's starting."
Lunivelle nudged Tavriel gently."Wake up, starling. They're hatching."
Tavriel blinked awake, rubbing her eyes. "Moi…?"
"Yes, baby," Thirukumaran whispered. "Your little ones are coming."
The incubator expanded to full size, cotton spreading like a soft blooming cloud.
The eggs trembled.
Crack.Crack.Crack.Crack.
The Red, Pink, Blue, and Green eggs split open—but instead of creatures stepping out…
A moment of silence.A soft shimmer.Then—
Each one melted, collapsing into small transparent droplets of living water, quivering on the cotton surface.
The droplets pulsed once, then reshaped—
Into tiny raindrop-shaped bodies, clear as crystal, each with oversized luminous eyes and a small floating dot above their heads that flickered like newborn stars.
They wobbled and rolled toward Tavriel, making imperfect, adorable sounds:
"mooooi… mmmi… moi-mmii…"
Tavriel gasped—eyes wide, heart exploding with joy.
She scooped all four into her tiny hands carefully.They sat in her palms like soft glass droplets, bouncing gently, clinging to her warmth.
"MOOOIII!" Tavriel squealed in delight.
The Dropies echoed back,"m-mi… moii… mwoo…"
Thirukumaran exhaled, touched."They're… beautiful."
Lunivelle rested her hand on Tavriel's shoulder."They formed for her. They know whose heart they belong to."
Only the white egg remained unhatched—still warm, still glowing softly, but untouched by cracks.
"It's choosing its time," Lunivelle said.
Thirukumaran nodded. "Let it rest. The little one will come when ready."
Tavriel giggled as the four transparent Dropies nuzzled her fingers like affectionate droplets of morning rain.
The room glowed with soft magic and childlike joy.
And under that peaceful light, a new chapter of family—messy, magical, and beautiful—began to unfold.