In The Next Life (Me, Wormy and Were!)

[Moonlit Dream]

Alex looked at the dog with a frown as it seemed to go sulky for some reason. "Hey, dude? What's the matter?" he asked, even though he knew that the dog wouldn't be able to answer him. "Was it something I said?" he asked, moving his hands around to scratch beneath the dog's chin, which he knew that a lot of the dog's he'd met had liked. Frowning a little, Alex felt a little bad suddenly, but he didn't know why. "Hey! Let's, like, get that tail waggin' again, yeah?"

"I wouldn't know, Joseph," began Keegan softly. "I've been home-schooled since I was young, too. Odd things kept on happening around me when I was younger, apparently." Keegan didn't say anything more about the 'odd things' and didn't seem keen to embrace the subject. "I must admit, though; if every school had teachers like this, then this country would be in tatters." He smiled. "Weird? Yes, I thought so too... People were falling over, and chairs began to bend under their own weight. Things fell and smashed. It was though the weight of everything suddenly increased."

[Wormgod]

Barbas just glanced at Alex. The kid had to understand what he had said hurt the dog's feelings. It was his own master, and a bit of himself they were talking about!
But then the kid scratched under his chin. Instantly Barbas' mood changed for the better. He grinned and started wagging his tail again, leaning into the touch.

Joseph sighed again and took a turn. In front of them lay a huge room full of tables and round chairs; the cafeteria. The place smelled like cheap food and milk. They were making today's lunch already. He took a seat at the nearest table, "Oh well. Maybe it's better to ignore odd things instead of getting into trouble."

[Moonlit Dream]

Smiling broadly as the dog seemed to perk up a lot at his touch, Alex scratched the dog's chin harder, his eyes sparkling goodnaturedly. "See? That feels good, don't it? Now cheer up!" he said playfully, before moving one hand to scratch the dog's ears whilst still rubbing the animal's chin with his other hand. "Good dog, good dog..." he muttered softly, chuckling a little as he spoke.

Looking around as they entered this new room, Keegan crinkled his nose a little at the smell. That was food? It'd probably be healthier to just go without eating until it was time to go home in a couple of weeks time... Nodding back to Joseph an affirmative to his words, Keegan slowly sat down in a chair opposite the other boy, forgetting to brush his fringe over the gem in his distraction. The glittering jewel on his forehead sparkled and danced in the light, and it was mostly revealed...

[Wormgod]

Sure enough, Alex's plan worked. Barbas was completely enchanted by the touching. His tail slapped the ground like a whip while he got the best treatment ever. Javed never did this; Barbas was lucky to get a pat on the head. Javed was all work and no play; truly the dullest of dull boys.


The smell was enough to make Joseph want to leave but fear kept him back. What if they got in trouble for being out of class? He might get away with it; this was his first day, after all. But Keegan might not. Then again, the boy didn't look like he cared at all about petty fears and such. Still, he had to ask..."Do you think we'll get in trouble for being here?" Joseph glanced back at the boy, surprised to see what looked like a jewel embedded in the boys head...

[Moonlit Dream]

Smiling broadly as he watched the dog's reaction to his petting, Alex's blue eyes closed happily and he gave a soft giggle, listening to the dog's tail thundering against the ground. Alex didn't think he'd ever seen a canine be more enthusiastic. Except maybe somewhere int he distant past... Alex's eyes glazed over a little, and his petting on the dog slowed. Blinking himself back to his senses after a few long moments, Alex shook his head to clear a fog from his brain.

Glancing up at Joseph as he heard the boy speak again, he shook his head slightly, white hair gleaming metallically, and the gem that rested upon his forehead glittered. "Trouble?" He paused as though to consider the matter. "I don't think so. Depends on the teacher, I think," he said quietly, his chestnut eyes gleaming a startling shade of silver for a moment or two. Sighing deeply, he raised a hand and absentmindedly began to polish the jewel with the back of his sleeve.