[Open. In that giant mushball universe where everything revolves around the Fourze universe]

[beetlesazer]

Amanogawa High School.

Not my first choice as far as first school to teach at goes, but considering my other 'job' it's probably the one where I'll be needed the most. I actually find it sort of amazing that the school is still running, let alone keeping the regular attacks on the students and faculty a secret. I only know about it from Ein and Zwein's careful surveillance from Beet-Vizor.

It's been almost six years since I've seen them in person - about as long as it's been since I've seen Gordo and Patora, but I assume America isn't as dull as being in space - I hope they're not lonely up there in orbit by themselves. I wish I could see them once in a while, but then, I barely see Takuto anymore with all his traveling, and Ad's taken to wandering in recent years too.

Stop that, Kane, I stop in my steps to breathe in and out and shake my head to clear it, get my focus back. It won't do to go and get all weepy on your first day of proper teaching.

I push my glasses up my nose and fix the sleeves of my jacket. Ad was supposed to be joining me here soon, I won't be completely alone for much longer.

There are also fellow teachers and my new students to get to know. Not to mention I have to keep my eyes open for signs of the dark forces at work here. Lots of things to keep my mind busy.

Comments

[hinooo]

Ankh pats me on the shoulder ineffectually, and I start to realise something's *really* wrong. He's *really* lost his memory this time!

There's a familiar voice. I wipe my eyes with my sleeve. "I'm freaking out because Ankh doesn't remember me, Kazari!" I wail.

[beetlesazer]

Now one of the students is getting involved, one who apparently knows this Ankh person. Oh my goodness.

"Listen, I don't even know who this Ankh person is!" I flail a bit with my hands, worrying about the crying one and wondering if the student is going to be any help at all. "I have identification if you want to see it. I swear, I really am Kane Lucano, a teacher here!"

[catcameback]

I hold up a hand when the stranger starts to panic, pushing OOO out of the way and leaning in really close to the supposed teacher's face, sniffing deeply a few times and staring into his eyes.

"You're not!" I spin and smack OOO's arm hard. "Hey, OOO, chill. It's not Ankh, it's not even the dork Ankh used to possess."

I turn back to the teacher with an apologetic shrug. "You look remarkably like someone we know."

[hinooo]

I yelp, grabbing my arm where he hit it. "He's not? You're sure?"

I peer suspiciously at 'Ankh's face.

[beetlesazer]

The student leans close to me and... sniffs me. Okay, stranger things have happened to me, but still. Personal space.

"I've gathered that," I say wearily in response to the students explanation of the situation, glancing between them. Still worried about the no longer crying one's well being.

[catcameback]

I roll my eyes at OOO, seriously, was he always this overwrought?

It's still kind of a curious over reaction though.

"I'm sure, OOO, I'm bound to know Ankh better than you are, I've known him since we were..." I almost say made, but I turn a suspicious glance on the stranger who looks an awful lot like Ankh's old human host. "Born."

I have to know. "OOO. Did Ankh come back, or are you just getting all wishful thinking because of me?"

[hinooo]

He stops himself and says 'born' instead, and I duck my head. I suppose there are some things I shouldn't give away.

I swallow, hard. "He came back," I say in a small voice.

[beetlesazer]

I glance between the two of them, feeling like the conversation has moved on enough away from me specifically that I can bow out without being rude.

"Now that we have things cleared up," I smile hopefully at each of them. "I think maybe I'll head back to my duties. If that's okay?"

[catcameback]

I blink at the stranger again then shrug. "Fine by me, not-Ankh."

I turn back to OOO with a squint. "And you... lost him? Already?"

[hinooo]

"Sorry!" I call over my shoulder. I nod miserably at Kazari. "Yes! I -- I don't know what happened."