If there was something I thought I would never regret doing it was gaming.

I had more important things to do with my time. Assignments, preparation for exams, keeping up with my friends relationships. Games were boring. It was so much more fun to read fanfiction.

I'm not saying that stopped my brothers foisting games onto my desk or computer to try. I just didn't play them. Why bother when they just want to see me fail at getting past the two-minute mark (its not my fault that worm-thingy just keeps hitting its head on the wall).

That was my life as a human.

Pretty boring except for the half-funny fact that I died five minutes after my final school exam.

News flash: When they say look both sides of the road for cars before crossing they don't want you to cross in front of any other vehicle that isn't a car. Dying is not generally good for health.

You know those stories were people come back for a second round at life and they are lauded as genii? Well I'm not bragging but anyone would agree that I am the brightest kid in this school.

Literally.

"Miss! Grillby just set their workbook on fire again." Whined the teacher's pet. I glared at him. Nothing against teacher's pets, been one once or twice in the time before but would it really kill the boy to bring his pitch down. Mickey Mouse on helium was not a nice sound to listen to.

"Grillby, this is your second warning. Please pay attention to the class." I had to applaud the old rabbit's patience in that her nose only twitched in mild annoyance before smoothening out into a bright smile. "Now who knows the visitor we will be having today!"

There is general frantic handwaving in the air from everyone in the classroom from everyone besides myself and the skeleton on the other side of the classroom who is reading some kind of book.

The teacher deliberates for a while before pointing at a puppy whose paw and tail are waving in sync like the kind of bathroom dance my brothers did when they were really little. "Wagan, would you like to answer?"

"Princess Toriel!" he yipped.

My brain froze halfway through the process of shutting down to block out the majority of the noise emanating from the students. It started drawing links. Step up from Princess was a Queen and didn't my middle brother say that there was a game with a character called Toriel as the short form of the word tutorial. I tried to remember the game's name but my mind kept slipping past it. Temmietale? Nope. That sounded cute but not right. It had something to do with souls and colours didn't it? Soul Silver popped unhelpfully into my brain space before I jammed it down with other irrelevant memories concerning Pokemon manga that my brother had got me into in hopes of me joining him in playing the games. I tried again a couple of stuff and only got more Pokemon related stuff with a couple of anime thrown in before deciding to give it a rest for a while. Instead I focused my attention on the one kid in the class who was not shouting and rambling about the Princess until the lunch-bell rang.

Initiate project make a friend aka watch how I fail without the help of memes and a pack of uno cards.

First, I walked over to check the book the skeleton was so engrossed in.

I crouched to read the title. A Practical Guide for New Dads.

"Aren't you a bit young for that?" Health classes had quite firmly hammered into my head that baby-making was only possible after both partners had passed puberty. Did monsters even have puberty? Guess I was going to have to ask my parents when I get home.

The skeleton gives me a look that I swear is the same one that my brothers gave me after I had ruffled their hair. All pouty and murderous that I loved him already.

He scribbled down something on a piece of paper and held it up.

Go away.

Yep, just like my brother.

"And deprive you of my magnificent presence? How could I be so cruel!" It'd been a while since I had eased into this playful teasing role. I wish I had siblings in this life they make things so much more interesting.

He scribbles something else down and holds it up.

You're wasting my time.

Ooh savage. "My apologies if this might offend you but can you not speak?"

Not in a language you would understand. I don't speak overdramatic idiot. Leave me alone.

There is something vulnerable and weak in his glare. His hands coiled into little fists with all the wrong posture for an actual punch. That we are alone in this class is telling. His glances towards the exit and stiff stance in preparation for taking a hit are more so. Kids can be so cruel at times. I would know.

I tug over a chair from the desk in front of him so that I can see his eyes better. "Isn't that what translation runes are for?" I say softly. My loud persona seems to be too much for him.

His gaze changes. He looks at me, analysing, thoughtful, curious.

Translation runes?

So those weren't common knowledge? Might have something to do with the fire elemental line being Nordic in origin. "Yeah I'll bring some in tomorrow and see if we can get something that fits you." Kids are starting to trickle back in. I stand up to get back to my desk but stop when I feel him tug at my sleeve. I watch as his pencil loops upon the surface of the page.

Why?

"Why not? That's what friends do right?"

He lets go and I make it back to my side of the classroom before the teacher re-enters the room. She starts passing out papers onto each.

"Write your names at the top of the page and start when I say go."

She passes me my test.

"Now go."

I flip the first page and stare at the misspelt words with lines next to them to respell. Then I look at the next page where it says to identify the grammar convention.

My mind blanks and the white paper touching my fingers morphs into a brittle brown as I panic.


"So how was school today, darling?" asked my mum as she poured the mead into our metal cup-goblet things.

"It was fun. I made a friend!"

"And what's their name?" my dad asked.

There's a silence.

"… I think I forgot to ask."

They laugh and my face flares up.

"It's not funny!"

"Your right," my dad chuckles "It's not funny. It's very funny."

"I hate you sometimes."

"We love you too darling," my mum chimes in response "now let's eat."