No questions are dumb in this hobby Chris! if you don't ask, you don't learn!
I'll let Wayne answer re the pastels etc., but for the gloss, matt etc, here goes.
A clear gloss coat is applied to a model, in order to provide uniformity of colours and surface, and to allow good draw-down of decals. The latter need a smooth surface on which to adhere and settle properly, and to avoid, or at least minimize the possibility of 'silvering'. This phenomena is the silvery-grey haze, or perhaps just one small part, that can appear around a decal, and is caused by air being trapped under the decal film, or by the decal not quite being totally 'bonded' to the surface. Matt paint has a rough surface which, if viewed in cross-section through the layer of paint, under a microscope, would appear as a line of peaks and troughs. Gloss paint has a virtually smooth, flat surface if viewed the same way, thus avoiding the possibility of trapping air or moisture.
Once all decals have been applied, it's a good idea to apply another gloss coat, thin if possible,in order to seal the decals, and again provide a uniform surface appearance. When this is totally set, the desired finishing coating can be applied, ie matt, semi-matt, or gloss.
Future, known as Klear in the UK and some other countries, is a floor polish, and is called Johnson's Future (or Klear), although it has recently had a slight name change, in the UK at least, and is now known as Johson's PLEDGE Klear.
It is really only about 30 years ago, maybe a little longer, that modellers started to apply a gloss varnish to their models to aid decal application. There are enamel varnishes, acrylic varnishes, and laquers, and most people have their preferences. Klear/Future is an acrylic based product, which became popular, as it is very thin, which helps avoid 'clogging' detail, can be brushed or airbrushed without any modifiation, and can be 'layered; to provide varying degrees of shine. Also, of course, it is far less expensive than a 'dedicated' modelling product, a large bottle costing approx £2.50 in the UK, as opposed to a 'model' product, at the same price, being a tenth of the size!
Future dries quickly, and finds its own level, drying smoothly and evenly, and can have a matt base added, to allow matt or semi-matt finishes to be achieved. It can also be used as a thinner for acrylic paints, and brushes/airbrushes can be cleaned easily with water.
One word of warning though; excessive coats of Future/Klear can lead to the final coat cracking in time which, for its designed purpose, as a floor polish, would not be noticed. However, on a model, this effect stands out like the cannine accoutrements! Avoid more than about a total of 4 coats of gloss, in succession.
I hope this has helped Chris.
Terry.