The Same One

Fate still couldn’t play enough with our heroes, so Tessa Elliot, V, N and J found themselves together again in the same basement. Having met each other, at first everyone became nervous, because since they somehow managed to get together again, it means they need to look for someone again, find out something, save them, but after sitting out the day calmly in the Elliott Manor and discovering that they are no one needed, all four decided to celebrate this event (and for them it really was an event) in everyone’s favourite restaurant on the manor. As it turned out later, the table for their meal was chosen very well, because as Tessa and J noticed, two tables away from them sat the most famous adventurer for his butt - Luke, aka SMG4. V and N didn’t understand what was happening. J and Tessa squealed quietly with euphoria, trying not to attract attention from the nearby tables. - Maybe you can digress for a minute and tell me what caused such a reaction in you? - V asked. - Take a close look over there, - Tessa’s right eye turned in the right direction, - do you notice anyone special? - No one who could surprise me now. About two years ago, I would have been amazed at all of you, but no, not now. - You probably just don’t know that he changed his appearance. V and N looked at each other and began to understand nothing even more. - By the way, before I met you, - J began to tell, - I was hanging out with a time traveler named Meggy, and she said that he was soon going to change his appearance again and you know who? - Quiet, quiet, - Tessa stopped her. - The universe is not ready for this yet, and neither is she herself. And me too. - Just tell me who’s there! - V demanded, almost shouting. - Luke, - Tessa and J answered in a hushed duet. - Who else is Luke? - Not just Luke, but the same Luke with a capital “L”, which is generally possible. - And.. what? Who is he anyway? - Are you serious?! - the duo “Jessa” trembled again. J took out a book from her bag that read “ABAFCASWRM” (She said it’s very important thing) and hastily threw it on the table, joining the guardianand in admiring the common idol. V wanted to take the book, but noticing a waiter with a tray of food heading towards their table, she immediately shifted her gaze from one to the other. That's why N became interested in SMG4. He took the “ABAFCASWRM”, which turned out to be an e-book, and entered the name. Luke was enlightened on more than one page (by the way, J was responsible for the section on SMG4 in “ABAFCASWRM”. Now it’s clear why there are so many and detailed descriptions of all his actions). N didn’t read everything written about Luke, but after reading what was most necessary, he immediately asked the main question, the answer to which, alas, is not 42. - Since he loves saving and helping everyone so much, why couldn’t he prevent the mass slavery of drones? - asked N. J turned to answer this question. - Well, you know, space is great, but he is the only one. In some places you have time, but in others you don’t. He saved our planet many times, he practically lived on it and protected it from all sorts of aliens, otherwise it would have been destroyed before your great-great-great-great-great grandmother was even born, and you don’t even know his name. J turned back to watch Luke. While J was spraying in defense of SMG4, Tessa had a brilliant idea, which she hastened to share with like-minded friend. - Let's go to him. - Are you crazy? You can’t just go and approach him. He’s been an idol for us since childhood, however he considers himself just a dude doing what he sees fit. - Fate brought us together not for nothing, but so that she could later bring us together with Luke. This is a dream, J! Something needs to be done. - We can walk past, not looking like that, and take a closer look at it in all its coolness. But no more, otherwise he will think that we are crazy, pouncing on him here with our respect, gratitude and questions. We need to show respect. - Okay, let's do it this way. Without explaining anything to their friends, J and Tessa left the table, heading in the given direction. The entire short time that they passed by Luke, they kept their eyes on him. From the very beginning, they only looked at him and did not notice that he was not sitting alone in this place. Tessa and J turned the corner. - I admit: this fleeting meeting is a billion times better than being the daughter of the founder of the most powerful company on Earth, - said a pleased Tessa. - I admit: this fleeting meeting is a billion times better than writing a section on SMG4 in a book all day long, - J said, just as contentedly. - Did you notice that he looked at us too? - Did you see this too? I already thought that I was imagining this from happiness-pouring into my brain. Yes, it was something. We were walking and we were like, bam! And we made eye contact. That's the fire in his eyes… - Yes, incredible. After catching her breath a little from the excess of euphoria in her lungs, Tessa suggested something else. - Let's go back past again. It’s like we were going out on business, and now we’re coming back. - Well, yes, it seems to be true. Let’s go. And they again followed the same path, forgetting to hide their gaze. Reaching her table, grabbing a chicken leg and sitting down at the table, J turned to Tessa. - The best day of our lives! Isn’t it? I think we did a great job of resisting the urge to walk up to Luke and talk our bullsheet at him. - I bet you won't succeed at this, - V said, looking ahead. J turned around in the direction she was looking and found Tessa standing at the table with the SMG4. She threw the leg and immediately jumped up and ran after her. Without crashing into her friend too much, J heard her say to Luke, “...and thank you for what you do for all of us.” - No matter what she tells you, I only agree with the good, - said J. - Oh, yeah, my name is J, her closest person and thank you for everything you do for the Multiverse. - I already told him that, - Tessa said through her teeth with a forced smile, looking at Luke. - I haven’t yet, - she answered Tessa in the same way. - We’re very sorry to interrupt your break, it’s just not every day you see a legend. - A legend? What are you talking about? - SMG4 spoke to them. - Well, you’re a legend to us, - Tessa replied. - In the place where I come from, in my childhood they told stories about your adventures before going to bed, and they are still relevant, after all, you travel in time. When I grew up, I wanted to also become Luke Lerdwichagul, but when I found out that this position was intended only for one specific person, I was very upset and ended up becoming an ordinary Tessa James Elliot in the coolest house in the Solar System. So, if you need help, well, you need to come to an agreement with someone or something like that, I’ll be happy to help. - Thank you, - SMG4 replied lostly. - And I was honoured to write a section about you in the most perfect book in the universe: “A book about funny colourful animated shows with random murders”, simply “ABAFCASWRM” in everyday life. If you haven’t read it, then you can rest assured that it contains only good things about you. - Thank you, - Luke answered for J, lost and overwhelmed. There was an unexpected silence, although it would seem that these two would now chatter incessantly. - Any other wishes? If you don’t know I’m not alone here. - We understand you and are already leaving, - J began, - it’s just that on our planet you are very popular and if I suddenly returned to my homeland (the trash heap) and said that “Bla-bla-bla, so and so, we saw the same one Luke...”, I’m afraid they will take us for crazy. - And they will be right, - SMG4 muttered under his breath. - And you need proof to brag? I understand you. Luke took out his plush toy from the inside pocket of his jacket, opened part of it like a cap, moved the napkin closer and wrote: “To Tessa James Elliot - the daughter of the founder of the most famous company and Just J - responsible for the section about me in “Very Nice Some Book” with best wishes for the rest of my life. From the same one Luke. Don’t be like Mario, eat lasagna.” He gave the napkin to the one who stood closest. - Now can we be left alone, please. - Yes, yes, of course. Thank you! — Tessa and J answered synchronously and hastened to move away. Having finally returned to their table with N and V, for the rest of the evening in the restaurant they only heard how J and Tessa were setting up a regime for using SMG4’s autograph. Sometimes, of course, they were distracted to wave to Luke, thinking that now they were all friends. - When will we finally go to a normal restaurant? - Normal, in your understanding, is the one who is not on Earth? - Yes. - This one is also normal, but who knew. Hoping to have a good evening, Luke and Kevin flew to this restaurant without any suspicion that Luke would be recognized as some kind of local hero. According to SMG4, the evening was ruined, but Kevin found something funny in it. - Are they still watching? - Luke asked Kevin, who, unlike him, was not afraid to look at the newly made fans. - Yup. They also wave to us, or rather to you. - Holy Spode! Who did they even take me for? For Superman during lunch break? - It’s nice to be the brother of a celebrity, - Kevin smiled. - No jokes, please. Let's get out of here. Luke and Kevin left the table and headed to the teleporter, which was located in the utility room.