Do with this what you will.
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
There are only two rules for Clarion Calls:
- If you choose to try the assignment, do not read the comments section before you post yours.
- This is a critique-free zone, and that includes critique of your own offering. Save your analytical skills for Mondays with Linda.
With that in mind, I invite all of you to give it a try. At the end of the year, I have a special honor in mind for the person who most often posts an answer to our weekly Call. So have fun, and stay inspired!
Clarion Blog 
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
The wizened alien face glared from within the tight swaddling wrappings. “You have not won yet, you upstart wizard.”
Kelan smiled as she shoved a pacifier into the toothless mouth. “I shall finish the rest of the spell soon, the one that will complete your transformation to a helpless infant. I just wanted you to understand, for a moment, what I’ve done to you. Your adoptive family is waiting.” She whispered the words to the spell.
The ancient eyes glared as wrinkles shifted and smoothed. The light of knowledge faded into a blank blue stare. The pacifier squeaked slightly as instinct activated and the newly transformed infant sucked the bulb in its mouth.
Kelan swung the infant carrier over her arm and carried her nemesis to meet his new family. Maybe this time the strict upbringing would have the desired effect.
Welcome back! 7 for 7! I do so enjoy reading these.
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one,” said the baby.
Kelan growled. “I’m only thirty-nine, you little brat.”
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one,” he said as he tickled the little one’s foot. It jerked in his hand, accompanied by a high pitched squeal.
“What does it matter that you have a hairy nose?” Kelan asked. He heard no response. “I’ll call you Daisy, because all the white hairs on your head make you look like a garden flower!”
Daisy smiled and cooed, seemingly pleased at the decision.
“Now what to feed you, your tastes are too set to try and slip past anything healthy.” Kelan looked about the studio apartment and snapped his fingers. In a matter of minutes he reheated a piece of prime steak and retrieved a bottle of Bordeaux.
“Ah, that’s a good baby!” Kelan said as Daisy ate and drank happily. He wiped away the wine that dribbled down Daisy’s chin and cleaned her hands of grease. He then picked her up and carried her to the stack of books that collected in every corner of his room, stacked at least six feet high.
“See these?” he asked as he brushed Daisy’s hand against a black leather book. “This will be your first step, and when you’ve youthed enough, you will move on to this stack.”
He looked at Daisy hopefully but she merely belched. Kelan smiled; they had plenty of time before all the serious stuff. For now they would just enjoy.
I knew I could count on you! 🙂
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant. “Greetings, ancient one.”
The baby ooohed, and from its mouth extended a long proboscis and probed Kelan’s nose. Those behind him caught him as he slumped, and held him until the baby finished sucking greedily at his prefrontal lobe then burrowed through to his hippocampus.
The proboscis withdrew. The baby screwed up its button nose as if it might sneeze and flicked the proboscis reflexively. Blood spattered the hand knitted bassinet blanket.
Kelan was dragged away by those who held him and loaded onto a waiting gurney.
Zara leaned over the bassinet and gazed down at its tiny occupant. “Greetings, ancient one.”
That is some twisted @#$% right there. Please come back next week! 😀
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
The infant blinked at him with guileless eyes. It had no notion yet of its high calling. All its profoundest judgments would be masked now in shrieks and gurgles and coos, which he must interpret.
Not so different, really, from the last years before the rebirth. They had waited far too long.
Another new face! Thanks for coming to play. 😀
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
The words came out as mere burbles, bubbles forming on her lips.
“Oh, look, she’s talking to us,” Kelan said, turning his head to look at someone she couldn’t see, beyond the hood of the bassinet. “What is it, are you telling me a story?” A hand loomed over her, the forefinger extended; it chucked her under the chin, painfully. She focused hard on the features above her, filing them away.
“Soon,” she said, spittle drooling over her chin, pooling in the crease of her neck. She kicked her legs: her stomach hurt. She had forgotten how much pain there was.
Hooray! A new playmate! Thanks for joining us.
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
Startled, the brownie tried to climb the pink, frilly fabric, but with a prod of a single finger, Kelan made it fall back to the mattress.
“Bollocks. You’re not supposed to be able to see me.”
It stared at Kelan, as if staring had the power to undo Kelan’s uncanny talent. Realising that yes, Kelan could indeed still see it, and no, whatever eye-hex it had tried to do had failed dismally, the brownie sighed. “Well, at least you know the right form of greeting.”
Welcome back, Michelle!
Kelan leaned over the bassinet, gazing down at its tiny occupant.
“Greetings, ancient one.”
Kelan gave a scowl. “I’m only thirty-three.”
The infant gazed at him with wise eyes, and shook his rattle. “Sounds ancient to me.”
Kelan turned to his wife. “Still think that in-the-womb edu-streaming was a good idea? Not even a week old and already we have to put up with smart-ass remarks.”
Lissa shrugged. “You won’t have to put up with it for long. He should be able to support himself by the time he’s five.” She leaned over the bassinet and chucked little Hugo’s chin. “Smells like it’s time for a diaper change. Your turn, dear.”
Welcome to the party! Great minds think alike.