Lucas

"Well, there were some sad moments. But it's better that it wasn't too sad."

That is how memories are sometimes.

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Autor nods, cradling his smoothie glass in his hands. "Duster and Enzo and I played music together and made some new memories."

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"I heard that. Duster's awesome at bass, isn't he?"

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"He is," Autor says, sipping at his smoothie. "He played an improvisation that just about... what's the phrase? Oh, yes, 'knocked my socks off'. I'm glad he's here in Milliways now."

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Lucas reaches for the book on the desk.

"I am, too. And I'm glad I get to share all this Milliways stuff with him. I got this book on the Runaway Five since they were on my list of stuff to look up. I bet he'll like it, too."

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"Runway Five?" Autor says, peering curiously at the book. "Who are they?"

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"They were a band from some time in my world's past. I was dressed up as one of 'em for some holiday here, and that's how I heard about 'em."

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"Ah, I see," Autor says, adjusting his glasses. "Perhaps Bar will have some recordings of them."

He takes another long pull on his smoothie. "How goes your research on the world past, by the way?"

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"I already got some on my music player. I'm letting Duster borrow it right now, otherwise I'd show you.

"It's been goin' all right. This is kinda a break from some of the more heavy duty readin'."

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Autor chews on his straw. "I see," he says. "Do let me know if there's anything I can do to help with that."

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Lucas smiles and puts his smoothie down a moment, brushing the condensation off of his hands.

"Thanks, Autor. That's awful kind of ya."

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Autor inclines his head and stands. "You're welcome," he says. "I'll let you get to bed. And thanks for the help with my nose."

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It's good timing, as Lucas yawns just at that moment.

"Guess I'm more beat than I thought," he agrees with a sheepish smile. "And you can come by any time, all right? If I ain't up, Duster is."

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Autor sets the chair back, nodding. "I'll keep that in mind. Good night, Lucas," he says, and embraces the other boy before heading out the door with their empty smoothie glasses.

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The first thing Duster sees when he wakes up from his unexpected nap is the darkening skies through the trees. Looks like it's another night of milling around the bar practicing the bass, taking a walk, and sometimes light thief practice, all thanks to his weird sleep schedule.

The mp3 player he was listening to has already automatically shut off, so he unplugs the earphones and stuffs the whole thing in his pocket. It would probably be a good time to eat something, Duster thinks, but it wouldn't hurt to stop by his room to say goodnight to Lucas, then continue being awake for the next six hours.

He walks back inside and takes the steps slowly one at a time, as he's still a bit out of it after just waking up, and there's no reason if it's not night yet.

Approaching the door, Duster lightly taps the door. "Lucas? You in there?"

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"Yeah, I'm in for the night," Lucas calls, going to get the door.

He supposes he doesn't really need to, what with this being their room now, but it's always nice.

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"I just want to say-" he is interrupted by Lucas opening the door.

"Oh, I just wanted to say good night, since you're goin' to sleep. I'll be stayin' up a bit longer."

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"Oh sure. Say, y'didn't see Autor on your way up, didja?"

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"I'm not sure. I didn't see him on the stairs, if that's what you're askin'. Why? Do you need him?"

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"No, but he came by here not too long ago. Somebody hit him in the face with an inkwell."

He folds his arms over his chest.

"I patched him up all right, but I ain't seen anybody do that here before."

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"Is-is he okay?!" Getting hit in the face with glass is a very painful thing.

"If he's still awake, I can go see him an' ask how he's feelin'."

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"Yeah, he's all right. He went to see one of the doctors downstairs before coming up to me."

Lucas scratches at his cheek.

"He might not wanna talk too much about it. He said he baited 'em. Not that it makes hittin' him all right, but he didn't say much more about that. The person who did it is in the cells for three nights."

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"Milliways has a jail? I'm surprised I never heard of it before."

He motions toward the room.

"You wanna sit down inside an' talk?"

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