Calamitous Intervention

Lost In Language

Anne was tiredly resting on the couch, thinking about what had happened the previous night. Despite the rush of excitement she had felt when she snuck out of the house and explored the town, she still couldn't shake off the regret and disappointment she gave to Willow and Gus.

The two had been her closest friends up to this point (besides King), and her denying them the chance at a moonlight conjuring was a bit selfish. But at the same time, it was better than risking getting into hot water with Eda.

On Anne's lap was King, who was relaxing as she was petting his back. She didn't notice at first, but realized he was purring, and she gasped, startling him. "You can purr?!"

"Yeah, what's the problem with that?" the little demon grumbled, settling back on her lap.

"Nothing, it's nothing," she said. As he settled down, she muttered under her breath, "So precious..."

As her mind got back on track, her smile faded as she stopped petting King, who noticed and glared at her. "What gives?" he complained.

"King, am I a jerk for not including Willow and Gus?" the human asked him. "On the one hand, it'd be cool for them and me, but on the other, Eda would probably destroy me."

In response, he yawned before speaking. "I don't know. I mean, you've made friends since you've come here, so don't throw away what you've already got."

"You're wiser than I first thought," Anne said, knowing he was completely right. She sighed, understanding that last night wasn't her at her best.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Hooty himself screeched, "Ding dong ding! Hoot, hoot!" Anne wasn't too happy that he ruined what was otherwise a calm and reflective moment, but she reluctantly headed to the front door to investigate.

She opened the door and looked down to see a small basket containing something covered by a blanket. No one was at the door, but the basket had a little tag with writing attached to it. The human was slightly confused at what might've been inside, but regardless, she brought it in and dropped it onto the kitchen table, where Eda, the person she could rely on for answers, happened to be.

"I think there's a special delivery for the queen of the house," Anne told the Owl Lady after walking into the kitchen and placing it on the table.

"Well, aren't you quite the comedian?" the witch answered sarcastically. "Probably an offering. Ah, being the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles has its perks."

King was curious to see what might lie underneath, so he tied a bib around his neck, preparing to feast upon whatever culinary delight he had been gifted. He pulled the basket's blanket off, revealing a tiny baby bat with a strange, humanlike head, peacefully snoring and cooing.

To King, this was an offering to him just waiting to be eaten, and he expressed his delight by rubbing his paws and saying, "Mmm, fresh meat."

Anne was quick to stop him, though, and as much as she adored the little guy, there had gotta be some boundaries. "Nope, nope, nope, not happening," she quickly fired out, glancing toward the witch. "Uh, you guys don't eat terrifying winged babies, right?" she whispered nervously.

Fortunately, Eda didn't think much about that, as she replied, "Witches eating babies is so 1693. What is this?"

Just as she finished, King spotted the notecard tied to the basket. "There's a note," he pointed out as he grabbed it and read it out loud. "Take care of my child till morning. Yi... Yi?"

The last thing Eda wanted to do was to have to deal with annoying shrieking babies that sometimes tried to eat you. "Nope. Babies are awful. Not happening."