The young lynx yelped as she tripped over some props.
Buster winced as he went to help. "What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Ya know, Moon. Very dangerous to have a door unlocked. Might have robbers."
"Considering some of my close friends are former robbers, I'm not very concerned. And you seem to be following in their same footsteps." Buster said, folding his arms. "Now, what are earth are you doing here at," Buster glanced at the clock on the wall and had to do a double glance. "1 o'clock in the morning?" 1 o'clock? How long had he been working?
"I forgot my backpack." Nooshy replied.
Buster blinked. The sleepyness turning into confusion. "You couldn't wait until morning to come get it?"
Nooshy pointed to the clock. "Technically I did."
Buster fought back a groan as he followed her to the practice rooms. Nooshy peered in each one before letting out a cry of success and disappeared into the last one. A second later, she returned, her dark blue backpack nestled safe in her paws.
She opened it and dug a moment before pulling out what seemed to be an old photo. She sighed in relief and held it close to her chest. She then turned to acknowledge Buster. "Sorry, Mr. Moon. But I can't really sleep, especially in a new place, without this."
"May I see?"
Nooshy nodded as she handed him the photo and Buster took in carefully in his paws. It was a photo of who he assumed was a young Nooshy, possibly around 8 or 9, with an older lynx. They were both practicing what seemed to be elegant dance moves.
"Your father?" Buster asked.
"Close. My grandfather. My mum and dad passed away when I was a kit. Gramps took me in and raised me. We lived in England before Gramps moved us here. He was a dance instructor."
"No kidding?" Buster said.
"Oh, yeah."
"What sort of dances did he teach?"
"All kinds, to all generations too. My favorite was hiphop. But he also taught me ballet." To demonstrate, Nooshy spun on her tiptoes and pranced across the floor before coming to a perfect split.
Buster clapped enthusiastically. "That's amazing!"
Nooshy returned to a standing position and bowed. "Thanks."
Buster waved an awkward paw. "So... what happened, if you don't mine me asking? From what Johnny tells me you were a street dancer back in Red Shore."
Nooshy took a seat on a bench and Buster joined her as she spoke. "Well, Gramps got sick. He couldn't teach classes anymore, so I started picking them up. Then Gramps ended up in hospital. We made decent cash as dance instructors, but the medical bills just kept building up, ya know?"
Buster looked down as his paws. They were still damaged and scarred from his encounter with Clay Calloway's electric fence. He frowned as he clenched them shut, remembering the stress from his own father's hospital experience. "I know what you mean." He replied.
Nooshy seemed unfazed by this telling of her life, instead she stood up did a few dance exercises as she continued.
"Anyway, bills kept building and Gramps got tired of being in hospital all the time, all those wires and stuff stickin' to 'im so one day, he asked me to wheel him out and back home. The hospital gave him some pills and he even managed to start teaching classes again."
Nooshy paused as she came to the new part of her story. "Then he..." She rubbbed her neck awkwardly as she glanced at herself in the mirror. Tears were forming as she quickly wiped them away.
Buster remained quiet, his paws folded on his lap, listening closely.
"He collapsed in the middle of a lesson." Nooshy admitted. "He became bed ridden, slipped into a coma a few days later. One month after that, passed away."
"Oh, Nooshy..." Buster frowned. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't worry about it. I've been doing fine. Managed to keep the business up till costumers stopped coming. People like Klaus started getting popular, and soon, no one wanted an amateur street artist riff raff showing them how to walk on their tippy toes."
The koala scoffed. "I'd hardly call you amateur. Far from. Your rhythm and moves are absolutely spectacular. You've taught Johnny a lot! And the extras love you." Buster said referring to the extras who perform in the show alongside his cast. "You're an amazing teacher."
Nooshy sat down on the floor. "Moon, why'd you let me tag along? I don't exactly fit your group."
Bustsr stood up on the bench, a smile forming on his face. "That's WHY you fit! I got an ex-gang member, a mother of 25, we're not exactly pedigrees. We each have our own unique background and we just click. You clicked with us! I was honored you stuck around! You've really helped Johnny and the others. If I didn't want you here, you wouldn't be here." Buster chuckled at this remark. "Trust me, I have a gang of gorillas ready to get their hands dirty if anyone I didn't want around here decided to cause trouble."
Nooshy laughed as she raised her paws. "Believe me, I'm not looking to cause anyone trouble. Especially to Johnny's family." She smiled, sadly. "I wouldn't do anything to cause them reason to hate me. On purpose anyway. Heck, Marcus practically took me in! Gave me a place to sleep. Food to eat. He knows nothing about my past, and yet... yet he took me in."
"Marcus isn't one to judge people based on their past." Buster explained.
"I don't doubt. It's all so new. I mean, I get a nice enough crowd every once in a while. I actually used to perform for an old folks home after Gramps passed. They would give me money for food and stuff. I denied it, of course didn't seem right. Anyway, I've met nice people, but none close to Marcus and his brothers. Taking me in outta the streets. Johnny and Stan even had a copy of the house key made for me."
Buster smiled at the thoughtfulness of it all.
Nooshy was silent a moment before turning to the koala. "I never got a chance to thank you."
"For what?"
"Letting me join your posse."
"Of course. The more the merrier!"
Nooshy laughed. "Johnny said you'd say something like that. He thinks highly of you."
Buster shrugged. "He doesn't need too. I'm not exactly the greatest role model. I've gotten myself into sticky situations just like Johnny has. Red Shore adventure included."
"He thinks you best. He's really grateful to you. Says you helped him realize you're more then who you're raised up to be. Said you helped him make a decision not to be a criminal anymore."
Buster smiled. "Johnny's a good kid. He would have made that decision with it without my involvement."
"If you say so." Nooshy shrugged as she stood, grabbing her back pack. "I better be getting back. Marcus would be worried if I ain't there in the morning."
Buster stood with her and held out his paw. "You have my number?"
Nooshy curled his fingers to form a fist and she fist bumbed it with her own paw. "Yep."
"Good, shoot me a text when you get home so I know you arrived safely."
Nooshy rolled her eyes, but Buster could see her amused smirk. "You're just like Marcus."
"Hey, a dad's gotta make sure his kids are safe."
Nooshy dropped the smirk and turned to Buster. A smile appeared as she squeezed his paw affectionately. No more words were exchanged as Buster watched Nooshy make her exit.
The showman sat alone in the practice room, his mind racing. So much information given to him in so little time. It worried him. How long had Nooshy been on her own? How did she make ends meet? How often did she eat a real meal? Did she even have a home? Buster frowned. He had already given Nooshy a job as dance instructor for his theater and she was spectacular at it too. She was kind and knew how to make her students loosen up and have fun with the dances. Buster came to a realization. This was the first time he and Nooshy had actually shared a heart ro heart discussion. Sure, when she first arrived, he asked to interview her which she was more then happy too, although Buster had already made up his mind that he wanted her to be part of his cast.
A yawn escaped him and he glanced at his wrist watch and blinked in surprise. Shrugging tiredly, Buster made his way up the stairs and back to his office.
After getting comfortable in his drawer, Buster found himself unable to sleep. Thinking about the conversation he had with Nooshy. Anxiety chewed at him, causing him to wonder if there was anything else Bustsr could do to help her.
His phone dinged and he swiped it open to see the message Nooshy sent.
Got back safe,
Night, mister Moon
Buster smiled as he sent back "okay," for a reply. Although, she did seem genuinely happy staying with Johnny and his family and from what Marcus told him, she was like the daughter he never had. Even said she was great with cars, helped him fix up his truck.
Thoughts flooded his mind, leaving no room for nightmares, but still resulted into a restless sleep. Buster wasn't sure when he actually fell alseep, possibly closer to 4 or 5 in the morning, but the next thing he knew, there was a knocking at his office door.
Groaning, he opened his drawer and crawled out slumping to the floor. He peered at his watch and groaned again.
6am.
"Who the heck is visiting at 6am on a Sunday?" Buster wondered aloud.
The knock came again and Buster yelled "Come in!"
The door opened and Gunter stepped in, sporting a red jumpsuit and an arm full of papers, his smile as bright as the morning sun that was just rising to greet the city outside.
"Morning, Mr. Moon!" Gunter greeted, excitedly.
Buster rubbed his face. "Gunter, what are you doing here at this hour?"
"Dis is the best hour! The sun is rising, birds are singing! Besides, I expected you to be up just as early!" Gunter spun and fell into a pose. "Smell that air, Buster! Fresh! New! Just like today!"
Buster couldn't help but smile. Gunter's enthusiasm was always contagious. And seeing the dancer looking so excited and ready for a new day gave Buster new energy. With this new boost, Buster hopped onto his chair. "You're absolutely right, Gunter. But, I'm guessing you didn't come here just to shoot the breeze." He said, eyeing the bundle of papers in his friend's arms.
Gunter smiled as he dropped them on the desk. The weight of the bundle slightly shook the contents of Buster's desk, even managing to know over the photos he had of his father and him and Eddie.
Gunter sheepishly nodded. "Sorry about dat."
Bustsr waved his paw as he set them upright. "No harm done. What's this?"
Gunter smiled. "Our new show!" He said, gleefully.
Ever since the success of Out of this World, Gunter officially became Buster's co-writer. Turned out the dancer had many brilliant ideas for shows, but needed help in putting them into a script. Which was where Buster came in. The Showman would listen to his pitch, write it down and put the pieces together, then he and Gunter would work together to bring the idea to life. They made a very good team and enjoyed each other's company a lot, much like brothers. Usually they'd sit down to a pot of tea and cookies or go out to lunch to discuss things. Part of that plan was Gunter's little way of getting Buster to eat, as he knew his friend's habits just like anybody else. When Buster got an idea into his head, there was little to distract him.
Buster listened, intrigued as Gunter gave out the colorful details of his new idea, a who-dunnit type mystery, musical show. "And then, I'm thinking like Ash could be the main star in this show, the detective trying to find the murderer who turns out to be Johnny, the butler! Rosita is a maid Meena, the cook and finally I! I will play the sadly deceased victim who returns to haunt the crew! I'm thinking we can use the same lines from Out of this World to help me fly around, jà?"
"This all sounds fantastic, Gunter!" Buster praised. "I can start writing it right away and then we'll pitch the idea tomorrow to the cast."
Gunter leapt and punched the air excitedly. "Jà! This gonna be spicey!" He cried. He then began to dance his way to the door, but not before he turned to Buster. "By the way, tell Johnny he gets better and better every day at the piano. I'll be sure to add a solo for him during the show." Gunter said.
Buster tilted his head and seeing the confusion, Gunter explained. "He's downstairs practicing now. Ciao!" And with that, Gunter was gone.
Buster blinked in surprise as he strained his ears and sure enough, they caught the gentle keys playing downstairs.
It didn't alarm him on how Johnny had gotten in, Buster had keys made for each of his friends should they ever need to add in some extra practice or just wanted to escape the world for a bit.
Buster raced upstairs and grabbed his suit and glanced at Ash who was still alseep on his bed, breathing lightly, her arms wrapped around a pillow. Buster smiled as he adjusted the covers on her and raced back downstairs to his office to dress.
Once he was presentable, Buster marched down the stairs to his theater and followed the sound of the music. Once to his destination, he peered in and sure enough, there was Johnny, his back to the koala playing softly, his voice carrying through the room. His attire was different from his usual leather jacket. This morning he was wearing a white dress shirt, similar to Buster's, with back slacks and a matching black blazer resting beside him on the bench, a tie lying atop it.
Buster leaned on the door frame to listen a moment and recognized the song as an old church hymn. Buster remembered the only other times he had set foot in a church was during the funeral for his father and the time Meena had invited him to a Christmas Eve service.
Quietly, the showman knocked on the door and Johnny ceased the music and turned to face him.
"Mr. Moon!" He said, his face turning crimson as he stood up, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Mr. Moon, I didn't wake you, did I?"
Buster waved a paw. "I was awake anyhow. Gunter came by with a new show idea."
"Oh. Can I ask what it is?"
"It'll be a mystery show! How do you feel about being the butler/killer?"
"Blimey, yeah! I've always wanted to do a who dunnit play!" Johnny said, excitedly.
"Great! Now, what are you doing here so early on the morning?"
Johnny rubbed his neck and took a seat back on the bench. "Ah... well... it's a long story."
Buster leapt on to the bench and sat beside him, nudging him with his own arm. "I got time, kid."
The young gorilla twiddled his thumbs, nervously. "Today's my mum's birthday." He said.
Buster blinked, as Johnny continued. "Before she passed, she sang in a choir with the church we attended. She was also the piano player. She's the one who first taught me to play." Johnny soun and absent-mindedly ran his fingers along the black-and-white keys. "Every time, her birthday falls on a Sunday, I try to attend a church, to honor and remember her, you know?"
Buster nodded.
"Well, today, Meena's family invited me to go with them. And I said yes. But, I just had to come here and get a breather before I went, ya know? Something about this theater makes me feel... closer to her."
Buster nodded again, knowingly.
The young performer sighed, sadly as he began to play a familiar tune. "She passed away when I was 6. Don't remember much of her. Only that she had a beautiful voice and played the piano brilliantly. When she passed, Dad and my uncles moved me away from England. We came here, hoping to start a new life. My dad tried his hand at being a mechanic, but when that blew up in his face, he turned to a life of crime. Been involved ever since." Johnny then chuckled. "Well, until a certain showman invited me to join his crew."
Buster smiled. "Best decision I ever made, kid."
Johnny nodded in appreciation. "Best decision I ever made too." Johnny then began to play louder before joining in with words. "...once there was a way to get back homeward... once there was a way, to get back home..."
Buster's ears pricked up and he stared as the young gorilla's voice carried across the room once more. Buster closed his eyes as tear rolled down his cheek and, with a deep breath, Buster joined him in song, his voice joining Johnny's.
"Sleep pretty darling, do not cry..."
Johnny turned in amazement to his mentor and together, the two performers joined their voices as one.
"...and I will sing a lullaby!"
And so they sang, Buster's alto mxing beautifully with Johnny's soprano, creating harmony between the two. Johnny smiled as Buster swayed to the music, lost in song, another tear escaping. Together, they raise their voices to the rhythm as Johnny played. Soon they were both in tears as they neared the end of the song.
"... and I will sing a lullaby!"
The two finished as strongly as they began. By now, Johnny was staring in astonishment and Buster was wiping the tears from his eyes. The song had been Golden Slumbers, the song that started it all, the song that Nana Noodleman sung in the show Epiphany, in the theater were he fell in love with it all. And the song his father would sing to him on those dark days.
Buster smiled, softly before he felt Johnny's eyes on him and he looked up to see the gorilla staring him. "I didn't know you could sing." Johnny said.
"I was a theater kid, Johnny." Buster said, avoiding his gaze, slightly embarrassed. "I could sing, dance, act-" Buster then realized that he had never sang in front of his friends before, save for Ash when he was attempting to convince her to sing a pop song for the singing competition. Attempting to change the subject, Buster asked: "So how do YOU know that song?"
Johnny chuckled softly. "My mum sang it to me. You?"
"My dad." Came the reply.
Johnny sat, quietly. He and the entire theater group knew Buster's close relationship with his father, how sadden he was by his passing and why he had worked so hard to keep his theater.
"Your dad sounds like he was a great guy. You must miss him." Johnny said, awkwardly.
Buster smiled. "Every day, Johnny. And he was. He would sing me that every night. Helped me sleep. He was determined to get me that theater. So for 30 years, he worked as a car washer." Buster sighed, half from exhaustion and half from sadness. "3 years after I got the theater, he got pneumonia. He had suffered bouts of for several years. But that final time, he succumbed. I was directing the latest show when Miss Crawley called me and said my father collapsed. I managed to leave and stay by his side until..." Buster sighed again.
Johnny wrapped his large arm around his small mentor and pulled him close.
"My mum used to sing me that before bed too. We'd sit up and practice a bit of her piano before heading to bed. I feel bad for not remembering more of her, but my dad tells me all kinds of stories. For my 12th birthday, he even had a photo album made with all our family pictures."
"That was nice if him." Buster commented.
The two sat together for a moment longer before Buster peered at the clock. "What time does Meena's church start?"
Johnny glanced at his watch and yelped as he jumoed up from the bench. "15 minutes! I better get goin'!" He then grabbed his coat and tie and frowned as he stared it before awkwardly turning to his mentor. "Mr. Moon? It's been a really long time since I wore one of these, would you help me...?"
Buster smiled proudly as he leapt up and began adjusting and fixing the tie to Johnny's neck. Once it was perfect, Buster gave him a fatherly pat on the shoulder and Johnny ran and grabbed his pack and skateboard he had put down by the door but not before turning back to Buster. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Moon?"
"You know it, kid."
Johnny smiled as he raced and hugged him tightly. "Thanks for helping me with the tie and don't think I won't tell the others about your singing voice! Just you wait, we'll make you part of the show yet!" He said as he released the small koala and raced out the door.
Buster couldn't help but laugh and sigh, happily. Buster was lost in thought as he typed away at his computer, trying to put Gunter's newest idea into a script. Once Johnny had left, Buster had felt energized and ready to begin the day. But his body still protested a bit, running on only less then 3 hours sleep, so the showman fixed himself a large pot of coffee and got to work.
Ash awoke shortly after he had gotten the first draft done and spent the morning strumming her guitar and working on her newest song on Buster's couch. Though both in the same room together, neither said a word, both lost in their work, but at the same time, grateful for the company.
Finally, around 11am, Ash paused and stretched. "Moon?"
Buster paused his typing and looked up, providing his full attention.
"Do you mind I bring a few sets of clothes here?" The young rock star asked.
"Of course not, bring whatever you need." Buster smiled. "I'll be sure to stop by the store later and stock up on food. Just shoot me a list of what you'd like."
Ash smiled, gratefully before standing. "I'm going out to grab some breakfast too, what would you like?"
Buster smiled. "I appreciate it, but I'm not hungry."
"I didn't ask if you wanted something. I asked what you want. You can't survive on coffee alone." Ash pointed out.
Buster shrugged. "Alright, what are you getting?"
Ash shrugged as well. "Donuts?"
"Sounds good to me."
Ash rolled her eyes, amused as she grabbed her keys and headed off. "Be back soon!" She cried.
Buster smiled as he continued his work.
Not a quarter of an hour passed before Buster smelled a familiar scent. The smell of a freshly baked cake which made Buster smile as the scent drifted to his nose.
Meena had arrived.
