A language class.

Danny could not have just heard Clockwork say he needed to take a language class.

"I'm sorry, can you repeat that?"

"Ghost language differentiates from place to place in the Zone, but it's universally the same. I'd say that ghost language is quite similar to Earth's Spanish in the sense that no two countries typically speak alike, with the exception that ghost language is a much more complex language than human Spanish," Clockwork continued, ignoring Danny's query. "Vigorous studying will be needed if you expect to speak it fluently before your coronation as King of the Ghost Zone in one year."

"Clockwork, I'm failing Spanish," Danny deadpanned, shoulders slumping significantly lower.

"Let us begin with the alphabet, which contains a collection of noises that correspond with a specific written sign, or letter. Though, in Guatashkilet, the equivalent to letter would be said as fijinimario, which is quite unlike Jenarshkili, which would be poghariohum. Other ghost languages branch off of these two words when speaking of the English term letter. For example, Ponarnli is fijinipotum. Notice how Guatashkilet and Ponarnli share the prefix fijin, whilst Jenarshkili and Ponarnli share the suffix—"

"Clockwork," Danny said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can't do this right now. I have finals coming up and grades to raise before my parents filet me in my sleep. The last thing I need is to attend ghost highschool.

"Nonsense; none of the ensuing time lines depict your parents filleting you."

"It's a figure of speech."

"Ah, see? We are both learning about languages today. Now, let us continue: the Guatashkilet alphabet is pronounced as follows: ash, cono, guata, jin, flen, pos, spu, arnli, tum, po, ken—"

"CLOCKWORK, FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"

"I do believe that term is inappropriate, Daniel."

"I'VE TOLD YOU, I CAN'T LEARN GHOST'S SPEAK. I LITERALLY CAN'T. I KNOW THIS MIGHT COME AS A SHOCK TO YOU, BUT I HAVE SCHOOL AND GRADES TO WORRY ABOUT."

"Ah, I see. So the wellbeing of the entirety of the Ghost Zone means little to nothing to you."

"YE—wait no. That's not what I meant."

"Jaloquantash, Danny. Then what, exactly, did you mean?" Clockwork was beginning to feel frustrated, which was an odd emotion for him. Actually, any emotion for him was commonly placed as odd, though it seemed more and more common as he found himself spending additional time with his mentee.

Danny ran his gloved fingers through his hair. "Can we just reschedule?"

"Your classes?"

"No. My coronation."

"Unfortunately, that's not how coronations work."

"Can't we make an exception?" Danny's voice had reached a pitch and whine that made him seem years younger than he actually was.

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"POSLARUNDO GUANMIJIN, CLOCKWORK!" Danny screamed, and then, taken aback by the words that came out of his mouth (words that he wasn't sure of the meaning to), he lost hold on his floating and smacked against the ground with a resounding thud that continued to echo throughout the cavernous clock tower for several seconds afterwards.

"That wasn't very nice," Clockwork muttered.

"Fuck, I have no idea what I just said, fuck I'm so sorry that was a complete surprise that's literally never happened before I have no idea what happened holy fuck me with a stick Clockwork what just happened."

"It seems that you're more ready to begin learning ghost language than even you believe."

"Clockwork that's not how languages work."

"Right, so, moving on with the alphabet, then!"

"Clockwork you do realize that babies aren't born just spewing words right like that's not natural I shouldn't be able to speak a different language when I don't even know it yet."

"Kwa, yin, dop, sund, ndo, tre, askli—"

" k."

"Ton, ihn, ghe …"

It was no use. Clockwork wasn't going to stop.

Danny just hoped he caught on to this faster than he caught on to second year Spanish.

i had a blast making this oneshot, even though it's mostly just a compilation of noises and sounds that i created on the fly. trust me: this isn't actual ghost speak. this is all coming from my head.

anyway, as usual, make sure you review! if you've been around for a while, you already know the whole spiel: i love to hear positive or negative thoughts no matter what (i specifically enjoy critique comments, though. feel free to type up one of those if it's to your liking).

xx