| Middle East region often called 'the cradle of civilization' |
FERTILECRESCENT |
| N.K. Jemisin's genre |
SCIFI |
| Narrow valley |
GLEN |
| One of a limerick's five |
LINE |
| Opposite of beneath |
ATOP |
| Part of a romantic bouquet |
ROSE |
| Pastry at a tea party |
SCONE |
| People in stadium seats |
FANS |
| Performer who might be found funny or scary |
CLOWN |
| Prefix akin to 'self-' |
AUTO |
| Pungent taste |
TANG |
| Random ___ of kindness |
ACTS |
| Rich cake |
TORTE |
| Road surfacing goop |
TAR |
| Sandal or sneaker |
SHOE |
| Simple bed |
COT |
| Singer Marlena |
SHAW |
| Snack for Bugs Bunny |
CARROT |
| Software customer |
USER |
| Some eateries |
CAFES |
| Sound effect in a cave |
ECHO |
| Speak from a lectern, perhaps |
ORATE |
| Stairway segment |
STEP |
| Tablet downloads |
APPS |
| They're like fogs but thinner |
MISTS |
| They/___ |
THEM |
| To whom the Fresh Prince yelled 'Smell ya later' |
CABBIE |
| Toddler's minor injury |
OWIE |
| Totally prepared |
SET |
| Underpaid employee's desire |
RAISE |
| Upped the ___ |
ANTE |
| Used to be |
WAS |
| Used to be |
WERE |
| Vacant shelf's accumulation |
DUST |
| Waist accessory |
SASH |
| Waiting for the next task, say |
IDLE |
| Winter vehicle brand |
SNOCAT |
| ___ eclipse |
LUNAR |
| ___ pool |
GENE |
