"This is one, kind of," Autor says, setting his chopsticks down. "I've always thought of my time in Milliways as a completely separate life, where I go flying and deal with magic and cook udon. Then there's the old life at home, with work. It's not as glamorous, but it needs done, and there will be opportunities there that I'd be a fool to pass up."

He tilts his head, murmuring softly, in the tones of one who has considered the same for himself, "I mean, I suppose you could never go back."