~~CAPTAIN'S LOG: STARSHIP LEON~~

  Captain Yarn here, telling all about our departure from earth into outer space. As a group, we are currently traveling to the Klesian Quadrant. Mrs. Jesset will then depart upon Lil' Leon, the shuttle belonging to Big Leon, and complete the remaining distance to Klesia Moon Prime alone. The rest of us will only be able to watch Able Mabel from a safe distance and hope for success.

  Although Leon may be blasting through space at unfathomable speeds, he can keep his passengers comfortably stable. I confess I do not understand much of the mechanics that go into space travel, but I do know that Leon is particularly good at it.

  Most of his passengers have been lulled to sleep in personal living compartments he has formed, keeping in mind each person's particular size and shape.

  The Fester Tails are all buried, deep within the wires and cables. One could assume they are either eating a world class gourmet feast, or snoring away in tiny, beautifully decorated rooms with miniature Temper-Sleeperific mattresses.

  Mrs. Able Mabel Jesset sleeps in the aft section of the ship, after some necessary resizing and reformation on Leon's part. He lowered his floors, rounded out the roof, and was thoughtful enough to include vases filled with lovely flowers. For obvious reasons, Leon declined to add Moonflowers. Black Winny may not be real, but then again, why tempt fate? Anyway, Mabel deserves that and more for the task she will soon undertake.

  Izzian is snuggled comfortably in a cubby near the cabin, snoring away, enjoying his human nose for a little while longer; while Enot and Gala are in the break room, heads together, looking as if they are falling in love. I saw that coming from a mile away, I assure you. Enot and Gala will soon tire as well. Leon has devised individual rooms for them-on opposite ends of the ship, of course.

  Our beautiful Thilillian sleeps and wakes in fits now in a snug, form-fitting bed, rather than an old rickety tree house. She still relives old nightmares of her lonely ventures on earth.

  Thil prefers to bunk with a female friend that we have surreptitiously snuck onboard. The friends stay in the upper most deck of the ship, near the viewing port where the stars are always visible; a spot normally reserved for old Yarn. In this case, I've made an exception.

  I have returned to my proper place at Leon's control panel in my comfortable plaid recliner, gazing into the universe with a my own little hitchhiker, Eliza Allready. We are both too excited to sleep; her having never seen the universe via space travel, and myself, enjoying the task of showing it to her.

  Leon temporarily slows as we pass by the Famien Constellation. Eliza and I squeal like little girls as the view changes. The little firelights of the constellation resemble glowing snowflakes, gracefully swirling and dancing before our eyes.

  I am positive I recognize one of the creatures. It twirls round and round my viewport, hovers momentarily and then flitters away. I think it was Thomas, or perhaps Bill. We decide to make hot chocolate and I offer to set out some biscuits, but my friend Eliza politely declines, most likely full from dinner.

  It is nice to spy on the universe with her, instead of at her. My little stowaway is headed for Klesia. With help from the Fester Tails, we have devised a plan. Well, it's more like a little lie.

  As far as Eliza's father knows, she has left Sudden Bluff to study abroad for a year- all true. The fact that she will be studying abroad on an alien planet, rather than Europe, is one small detail she failed to mention to her father.

  The tiny fib has been meticulously planned down to the last detail. Eliza's father is certain that his daughter is safe, has guardians, and the most important truth of all, she's happy. Mr. Allready accepted his daughter's proposals, aware that she has always been the independent sort.

  Reminds me a little of…well, me.

  Eliza and I laugh when we imagine the look on Izzian's face when he discovers Leon has hidden her onboard. Eliza quietly places a sticky, used Popsicle stick within the blankets of Izzian's bed as he sleeps. We tip toe out of his room, stifling our giggles.

  Soon, Eliza will be one of the few earthlings to set foot on Klesia Moon Prime and I couldn't be happier about that. Yes, there are a few earthlings roaming the universe, believe it or not. Hopefully, our plan will work and the Klesians will be large enough for Eliza to see. We will know soon enough.

  ***

  CHAPTER 36

 
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