diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/backend.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/backend.ludic
index 29ef9ee5..0626eff4 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/backend.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/backend.ludic
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@ export state UiState {
   pe_key: string = ""         # the element the pointer is captured by
   pe_btn: int = 0
   pop_list: []UiNode = new []UiNode
+  pop_spare: []UiNode = new []UiNode
   pp_bx: float = 0.0
   pp_by: float = 0.0
   pp_bw: float = 0.0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/controls_build.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/controls_build.ludic
index a690cedd..64f0754e 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/controls_build.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/controls_build.ludic
@@ -67,8 +67,11 @@ function ct_build_range(ui_st: mut UiState, n: UiNode) -> void {
   push(n.children, ct_part(ui_st, n, "ui-value", ct_value_text(n)))
 }
 function ct_build_select(ui_st: mut UiState, n: UiNode) -> void {
-  let opts = n.children
-  n.children = new []UiNode
+  if n.opts == null { n.opts = new []UiNode }    # its options moved to a list the node keeps, not a new one
+  let opts = n.opts
+  List.clear(opts)
+  for i in 0 .. len(n.children) { push(opts, n.children[i]) }
+  List.clear(n.children)
   ct_label(ui_st, n)
   var shown = ""
   let at = ct_option_at(n, opts)
@@ -76,14 +79,13 @@ function ct_build_select(ui_st: mut UiState, n: UiNode) -> void {
   push(n.children, ct_part(ui_st, n, "ui-prev", "<"))
   push(n.children, ct_part(ui_st, n, "ui-value", shown))
   push(n.children, ct_part(ui_st, n, "ui-next", ">"))
-  n.opts = opts
 }
 # which option the select's value names: an option's value="...", else its place
 function ct_option_at(n: UiNode, opts: []UiNode) -> int {
   let v = ui_attr_text(n, "value")
   for i in 0 .. len(opts) {
     let ov = ui_attr_text(opts[i], "value")
-    if ov == v or (ov == "" and string(i) == v) { return i }
+    if ov == v or (ov == "" and ct_is_int(v, i)) { return i }
   }
   return -1
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/controls_parts.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/controls_parts.ludic
index 362f180b..b9cc82bc 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/controls_parts.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/controls_parts.ludic
@@ -50,3 +50,16 @@ function ct_submit(ui_st: mut UiState, n: UiNode) -> void {
   ui_fire(ui_st, n, "submit", ui_attr(n, "value"))
   if ui_attr_on(n, "clear-on-submit") { ui_fire(ui_st, n, "change", Value.str("")) }
 }
+# the text is exactly i's digits, compared without writing i out
+function ct_is_int(s: string, i: int) -> bool {
+  if i < 0 or len(s) == 0 { return false }
+  var n = i
+  var at = len(s) - 1
+  while at >= 0 {
+    if s[at] != 48 + n % 10 { return false }
+    n = n / 10
+    at -= 1
+    if n == 0 { return at < 0 }
+  }
+  return false
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/draw_order.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/draw_order.ludic
index eab01678..308b5312 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/draw_order.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/draw_order.ludic
@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@ function fr_clip_push(ui_st: mut UiState, x: float, y: float, w: float, h: float
   ui_st.ui_be.clip(x0, y0, Math.max(x1 - x0, 0.0), Math.max(y1 - y0, 0.0))
 }
 function fr_clip_pop(ui_st: mut UiState) -> void {
-  var keep = new []float
-  for i in 0 .. len(ui_st.fr_clips) - 4 { push(keep, ui_st.fr_clips[i]) }
-  ui_st.fr_clips = keep
+  for i in 0 .. 4 {                   # the top rectangle taken off in place
+    if len(ui_st.fr_clips) > 0 { List.pop(ui_st.fr_clips) }
+  }
   let n = len(ui_st.fr_clips)
   if n >= 4 { ui_st.ui_be.clip(ui_st.fr_clips[n - 4], ui_st.fr_clips[n - 3], ui_st.fr_clips[n - 2] - ui_st.fr_clips[n - 4], ui_st.fr_clips[n - 1] - ui_st.fr_clips[n - 3]) } else if ui_st.ui_be.unclip != null { ui_st.ui_be.unclip() }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/pool_reset_more.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/pool_reset_more.ludic
index b68aadb7..2d94469c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/pool_reset_more.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/pool_reset_more.ludic
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ function nd_reset_b(n: UiNode) -> void {
   n.scroll_y = 0.0
   n.bar_c = -1
   n.bar_track = -2
-  n.opts = null
+  if n.opts != null { List.clear(n.opts) }
   n.bg_img = ""
   n.bi_src = ""
   n.bi_slice = 0.0
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/popover.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/popover.ludic
index 20a19a83..374ea5df 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/popover.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/popover.ludic
@@ -11,10 +11,13 @@ function pp_find(n: UiNode, out: []UiNode) -> void {
 }
 # the topmost popover open in this tree, or null
 function pp_top(root: UiNode) -> UiNode {
-  let all = new []UiNode
-  pp_find(root, all)
-  if len(all) == 0 { return null }
-  return all[len(all) - 1]
+  if root.popover { return root }         # the last one pp_find would list, found with no list made
+  var found: UiNode = null
+  for i in 0 .. len(root.children) {
+    let f = pp_top(root.children[i])
+    if f != null { found = f }
+  }
+  return found
 }
 # the pointer against the popover: inside it is as usual; a press outside closes it and is spent
 function pp_pointer(ui_st: mut UiState, top: UiNode) -> bool {
@@ -26,7 +29,9 @@ function pp_pointer(ui_st: mut UiState, top: UiNode) -> bool {
   return true
 }
 function pp_draw_top(ui_st: mut UiState) -> void {
-  let list = ui_st.pop_list
-  ui_st.pop_list = new []UiNode
+  let list = ui_st.pop_list           # drawn from while what they open goes to the spare, then swapped
+  ui_st.pop_list = ui_st.pop_spare
+  List.clear(ui_st.pop_list)
   for i in 0 .. len(list) { fr_draw(ui_st, list[i]) }
+  ui_st.pop_spare = list
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.ui/values.ludic b/packages/ludic.ui/values.ludic
index 9a6b4248..a24cc17e 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.ui/values.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.ui/values.ludic
@@ -13,17 +13,12 @@ function vl_truthy(v: Val) -> bool {
 function vl_text(v: Val) -> string {
   let k = Value.kind(v)
   if k == 0 { return "" }
-  if k == 1 { return string(Value.as_int(v)) }
+  if k == 1 or k == 2 or k == 7 { return Value.num_text(v) }     # kept on the Value until it changes
   if k == 3 {
     if Value.as_int(v) != 0 { return "true" }
     return "false"
   }
   if k == 4 { return Value.as_str(v) }
-  if k == 2 or k == 7 {
-    let f = Value.as_float(v)
-    if f == float(int(f)) { return string(int(f)) }
-    return string(f)
-  }
   return Json.encode(v)
 }
 function vl_arith(ui_st: mut UiState, op: string, a: Val, b: Val) -> Val {
diff --git a/runtime/native/input.ludic b/runtime/native/input.ludic
index 9f072b09..62b24ee5 100644
--- a/runtime/native/input.ludic
+++ b/runtime/native/input.ludic
@@ -35,6 +35,8 @@ export state RtInputState {
   input_rec:   words = null      # recorded key per frame
   input_recn:  int   = 0         # frames recorded
   input_pos:   int   = 0         # replay / record cursor
+  in_label_chr: words = null    # input_key_label: the character each key's kept name was made for
+  in_label_str: []string = null
   in_have_frame_driver: bool = false
   in_ready: bool  = false
   in_sim:   words = null         # simulated held set (Input.press / release) — persists
@@ -380,7 +382,27 @@ function input_key_released(rt_input_st: mut RtInputState, k: int) -> bool { in_
 # own layout types there: 'w' reads "W" on QWERTY and "Z" on AZERTY, and a binding
 # shown as "W" is never a key the player cannot find. Named keys and the arrows get words.
 # Headless, and on a platform that cannot ask the layout, it is the US character.
-function input_key_label(k: int) -> string {
+# a key's name, kept per key code and made again only when the layout gives the key another character -
+# a HUD asks for its keys' names every frame, and each asking made a string (Ludic frees nothing)
+function input_key_label(rt_input_st: mut RtInputState, k: int) -> string {
+  if k < 0 or k > 255 { return input_key_label_new(k) }
+  var c = -1
+  if is_windowed() { c = win_key_char(k) }
+  if rt_input_st.in_label_chr == null {
+    rt_input_st.in_label_chr = words(256)
+    rt_input_st.in_label_str = new []string
+    for i in 0 .. 256 {
+      rt_input_st.in_label_chr[i] = -2
+      push(rt_input_st.in_label_str, "")
+    }
+  }
+  if rt_input_st.in_label_chr[k] != c {
+    rt_input_st.in_label_str[k] = input_key_label_new(k)
+    rt_input_st.in_label_chr[k] = c
+  }
+  return rt_input_st.in_label_str[k]
+}
+function input_key_label_new(k: int) -> string {
   if k == 32 { return "Space" }
   if k == 10 { return "Enter" }
   if k == 27 { return "Esc" }
diff --git a/runtime/native/namespaces.ludic b/runtime/native/namespaces.ludic
index 40b14a9f..92cf66c9 100644
--- a/runtime/native/namespaces.ludic
+++ b/runtime/native/namespaces.ludic
@@ -480,6 +480,7 @@ namespace Value {
   alias as_str(value) = value_as_str
   alias free(value) = value_free
   alias clear(value) = value_clear
+  alias num_text(value) = value_num_text
   alias become(value, tag) = value_become
   alias be_int(value, n) = value_be_int
   alias be_float(value, x) = value_be_float
diff --git a/runtime/native/value.ludic b/runtime/native/value.ludic
index 39a98db2..5c332a2f 100644
--- a/runtime/native/value.ludic
+++ b/runtime/native/value.ludic
@@ -90,11 +90,11 @@ function value_slot(o: Val, key: pointer, tag: int) -> Val {
 }
 function value_set_int(o: Val, key: pointer, n: int) -> void {
   let v = value_slot(o, key, 1)
-  v.num = n
+  value_num_set(v, n)
 }
 function value_set_float(o: Val, key: pointer, x: float) -> void {
   let v = value_slot(o, key, 7)
-  v.num = float_bits(x)
+  value_num_set(v, float_bits(x))
 }
 function value_set_str(o: Val, key: pointer, s: pointer) -> void {
   let v = value_slot(o, key, 4)
@@ -102,8 +102,8 @@ function value_set_str(o: Val, key: pointer, s: pointer) -> void {
 }
 function value_set_bool(o: Val, key: pointer, b: bool) -> void {
   let v = value_slot(o, key, 3)
-  v.num = 0
-  if b { v.num = 1 }
+  value_num_set(v, 0)
+  if b { value_num_set(v, 1) }
 }
 # a list field of an object set in place: the list under `key` is kept, and item i keeps its Value when it
 # is already that kind (a component's model, filled into the same object every frame)
@@ -128,14 +128,14 @@ function value_set_ints(o: Val, key: pointer, xs: []int) -> void {
   let l = value_list_fit(o, key, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 1)
-    v.num = xs[i]
+    value_num_set(v, xs[i])
   }
 }
 function value_set_floats(o: Val, key: pointer, xs: []float) -> void {
   let l = value_list_fit(o, key, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 7)
-    v.num = float_bits(xs[i])
+    value_num_set(v, float_bits(xs[i]))
   }
 }
 function value_set_strs(o: Val, key: pointer, xs: []string) -> void {
@@ -149,15 +149,15 @@ function value_set_bools(o: Val, key: pointer, xs: []bool) -> void {
   let l = value_list_fit(o, key, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 3)
-    v.num = 0
-    if xs[i] { v.num = 1 }
+    value_num_set(v, 0)
+    if xs[i] { value_num_set(v, 1) }
   }
 }
 # a Value turned into a blank one of kind `tag`, its own lists (if it has them) kept and emptied - for
 # a pool that hands the same records out again (ludic.ui's, frame after frame)
 function value_become(v: Val, tag: int) -> Val {
   v.tag = tag
-  v.num = 0
+  value_num_set(v, 0)
   v.txt = null
   if tag == 5 or tag == 6 { value_lists(v) }
   if v.kids != null { value_clear(v) }
@@ -165,12 +165,12 @@ function value_become(v: Val, tag: int) -> Val {
 }
 function value_be_int(v: Val, n: int) -> Val {
   value_become(v, 1)
-  v.num = n
+  value_num_set(v, n)
   return v
 }
 function value_be_float(v: Val, x: float) -> Val {
   value_become(v, 7)
-  v.num = float_bits(x)
+  value_num_set(v, float_bits(x))
   return v
 }
 function value_be_str(v: Val, s: pointer) -> Val {
@@ -187,12 +187,12 @@ function value_into(into: Val, tag: int) -> Val {
 function value_into_null(into: Val) -> Val { return value_into(into, 0) }
 function value_into_int(into: Val, n: int) -> Val {
   let v = value_into(into, 1)
-  v.num = n
+  value_num_set(v, n)
   return v
 }
 function value_into_float(into: Val, x: float) -> Val {
   let v = value_into(into, 7)
-  v.num = float_bits(x)
+  value_num_set(v, float_bits(x))
   return v
 }
 function value_into_str(into: Val, s: pointer) -> Val {
@@ -202,14 +202,14 @@ function value_into_str(into: Val, s: pointer) -> Val {
 }
 function value_into_bool(into: Val, b: bool) -> Val {
   let v = value_into(into, 3)
-  if b { v.num = 1 }
+  if b { value_num_set(v, 1) }
   return v
 }
 # a list result: `into`'s items are kept and changed in place where they are already that kind
 function value_into_list(into: Val, n: int) -> Val {
   if into == null { return value_list() }
   into.tag = 5
-  into.num = 0
+  value_num_set(into, 0)
   into.txt = null
   value_lists(into)
   while len(into.kids) > n { List.pop(into.kids) }
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ function value_into_ints(into: Val, xs: []int) -> Val {
   let l = value_into_list(into, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 1)
-    v.num = xs[i]
+    value_num_set(v, xs[i])
   }
   return l
 }
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ function value_into_floats(into: Val, xs: []float) -> Val {
   let l = value_into_list(into, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 7)
-    v.num = float_bits(xs[i])
+    value_num_set(v, float_bits(xs[i]))
   }
   return l
 }
@@ -243,11 +243,30 @@ function value_into_bools(into: Val, xs: []bool) -> Val {
   let l = value_into_list(into, len(xs))
   for i in 0 .. len(xs) {
     let v = value_item(l, i, 3)
-    v.num = 0
-    if xs[i] { v.num = 1 }
+    value_num_set(v, 0)
+    if xs[i] { value_num_set(v, 1) }
   }
   return l
 }
+# a number set where it is kept: its text (value_num_text) is dropped only when the number changes
+function value_num_set(v: Val, n: int) -> void {
+  if v.num == n { return }
+  v.num = n
+  if v.tag != 4 { v.txt = null }
+}
+# a number's text, kept on the Value until the number changes (a count shown in a HUD every frame wrote
+# its text every frame; Ludic frees nothing)
+function value_num_text(v: Val) -> string {
+  if v.txt != null { return v.txt }
+  if v.tag == 1 { v.txt = string(v.num) }
+  else if v.tag == 7 {
+    let f = float_from_bits(v.num)
+    if f == float(int(f)) { v.txt = string(int(f)) } else { v.txt = string(f) }
+  }
+  else if v.tag == 2 { v.txt = json_fixed_str(v.num) }
+  if v.txt == null { return "" }
+  return v.txt
+}
 # a list or an object emptied in place, its room kept - for one filled again every frame
 function value_clear(v: Val) -> void {
   if v.kids == null { return }