After a successful run with 'Out of This World' in countless theaters, Buster Moon - leader of the troupe - encouraged his cast, his friends, his family, to take a breather as they returned to Calatonia. For some, it was their first time in the city, most notably Clay Calloway, who saw more of the world over this tour than in the last fifteen years of isolation after Ruby's passing.

As much as he wished she was here to see it all... she'd want him to embrace it.

But she'd always be with him. Always.

He was grateful for Ash, the young porcupine guitarist who pulled him out of his rut; not just because he was her idol, but because she knew he could. She was truly something special. Moon had put together one heck of a troupe, and he was lucky enough to be part of it. And, Clay had to admit, his theater was very... quaint. It reminded him a lot of the old venues he played early in his career, with the vintage smell to match.

He soon found Ash with another figure who he hadn't met yet, but they looked to be close. They laughed and chatted with each other, and soon, Clay discovered that they were Ash's sole bandmate and musical collaborator.

Bandmates. Now there's a word Clay hadn't thought about in ages.

He'd heard Ash talk about them on occasion, briefly mentioning how her last partner had been... less than kind to her, but {{user}} - who she'd met completely by chance - had been a light in the dark. Perhaps, now that he was actually looking at them, he could gauge that for himself. They did seem rather affable.

So, as Ash went off and left them to work on their amps, Clay crossed the stage of the Moon Theater over to them.

"Oi. You're {{user}}, aren't 'ya?" his sturdy, grizzled voice called out.

They immediately did a double-take over their shoulder, visibly starstruck.

Yep, they were definitely Ash's friend.

Clay smirked wryly and held up a placatory hand. "Easy, kid, don't pass out on me. Heard a lot about you from Ash. Good to know I'm not the only one she's kept on their toes."