Drabble #228: Spell

[redwolf]

For this prompt, we continue with our one-word/phrase drabble roots:

Spell

Tell us all about it. Labyfic-style, of course.

Given our entries from recent months, let's continue with the suggested limit of 500 words. Though remember that shorter pieces are most definitely welcome!

Your entry should take the following format, posted as a comment on this entry:

Word count: # of words
$your_beautiful_drabble

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Comments

Transform

[redwolf]

Word count: 500

Sarah had spent her morning handling the final details of an adoption. As the toddler was embraced by a pair of emotional wood elves, Sarah noticed that her chubby cheeks were now less pronounced, slight points had formed on her ears and her skin tone had darkened in hue.

She knew the babies were transformed almost immediately, but the process took longer with the older children. The medic, Nevin, had explained that the toddler would have fully transitioned in a matter of weeks, while teenagers could take years.

“You seem deep in thought.” Jareth looked up from his reading.

“I was wondering about the way the Labyrinth changes wished aways.” She waved away Jareth’s interjection. “I understand the logic, because while humans are adaptable, they can’t breathe underwater, for example.”

Jareth nodded. “The transformation process allows the Labyrinth a much wider pool of prospective parents to select the best match possible.”

Sarah stared into the fire before turning back to Jareth. “I was wondering why Ada, and George for that matter, haven’t been transformed.”

Jareth put his book down. “There are different rules for wished aways and refugees. The wished aways from Above are magically altered as part of the Labyrinth’s compact. Ada and George requested asylum, how they adapt to the Underground is their own journey.”

Sarah supposed that if you made the decision yourself you would at least be making an informed decision. “Wouldn’t that put the refugees at a disadvantage.”

“Perhaps initially, but the older wished aways also take much longer to transform, so it all evens out.” Jareth tilted his head as he watched the fire light play over Sarah’s face. “Why the interest in Ada and George?”

“There was a weird pulse from the Labyrinth during the last influx.” Sarah had thought it was a wish that had never been completed and had forgotten about it until she thought she’d seen Ada that day in the company of a boy who could have passed for a relative.

“That was a covenant being made from Underground.”

Sarah frowned. “An Underground wished away?”

“No,” Jareth chuckled. “Ada and George made a request of the Labyrinth and pledged themselves to its service.”

“Aren’t they a little young?”

Jareth raised an eyebrow. “Have you met Ada?”

She had to concede that was a fair point. “What was their request?”

“To ask permission to perform a particular type of magical incantation.”

Sarah slapped her palm against her forehead and groaned. “They transformed George into a human.”

“Not quite.” Sarah looked up in confusion. “We now have two new shapeshifters who are still adapting to their other forms. Rook has been helping George handle balance as a biped and I’ve been assisting Ada with her transition.”

“Why would your expertise be needed to show her how to be a wolf?”

“It wouldn’t,” Jareth smiled as he picked up his book again. “But it does when her other form is a raven. Learning to fly is a little trickier than walking upright.”