NaNoWriMo 2012, Day 11

Wordcount:  Daily = 1,029 , Total = 20,220

Percentage: 40.4% (110% of target)

Not extremely productive today - although the story is starting to roll along nicely now and I am still ahead on the wordcount. I am also hurting - whether it be from climbing hills yesterday or biking home vs a headwind this evening or something else entirely, I do not know.

Tiriki has finally fallen into the clutches of Maxwell Sherbourne, Aviculturalist. I now need to develop his character a little more fully. Here are the current facts:

- Maxwell's large farmhouse is somewhere in the west canterbury region, probably around Darfield.
- On his property is a patch of forest, in which he has hidden his aviaries.
- In these aviaries he keeps birds that he should not, legally, be allowed to keep - kaka and kea, amongst other more exotic specimens.
- Maxwell lives with his son Josh, 12. Josh is somewhat uncertain about this "secret" birds of his father's, and develops an interest in Tiriki.
- Maxwell is involved in the illegal smuggling of parrot's eggs. Specifically New Zealand natives.  Also, possibly fledglings and young birds (such as Tiriki).

Things to look into:
- How one goes about shipping fertile eggs
- Common ways of smuggling parrots

The smuggling industry is not a huge cause for concern  with kea decline - poisoning and car accidents are more frequent, but for the narrative of this story, I think it is more exciting to deal with smuggling. Although I should throw in a little lead poisoning and close shaves with cars as well. I've already mentioned possum predation.

He glided down to perch on the car's bumper, casting a quick glance around. Noone was watching – a fine drizzle had started, and the humans had all disappeared indoors. Perhaps the chicks were inside now.

Pushing through the narrow gap, he crept into the boot and towards the suitacse, making low noises in the back of his throat and craning his head for a response. If they were there, they would be hungry, frightened.

No answer.

Footsteps crunchd on the gravel outside, and then a BANG as the boot was pushed down, plunging Tiriki into a darkness so complete that he could not see his own feet. The only light came from thin slivers, around the edge of the low ceiling.