A/N: In less than twelve hours, there will be a deluge of four chapters coming your way to make up for my absence while I'm at camp. Prepare your butts.

Chapter 4: The Morning Before

Rythian woke up, and panicked for half a second when he realized that Zoey wasn't in the bed. He called for her, and a reply came from the bathroom.

"Give me a sec, Rythian, I'm getting dressed for the party"

"Now? The boat's not coming for hours."

"I need to get used to it."

"When are you coming out of there? I need to pee!"

A few seconds later, the reply came.

"Riiiight... now."

The door swung open, and Zoey emerged. Rythian couldn't even pretend to not be impressed.

Zoey wore a dress that hung down to her knees. Only her cybernetic shoulder was covered,her hair had a golden-yellow streak in it, and this was matched in her dress. Her shoes, high heels that weren't ostentatiously high, were the same colour.

Even in this situation, Rythian found reason to nitpick.

"Can you even do subtle?"

Rythian thought for a few seconds. The hugely obvious BARRY project and some of Blackrock's more aesthetic touches had shown that Zoey could not do "subtle".

Zoey broke in to Rythian's thought time, "It's a party, Rythian. One must make an impression."

"You've certainly made an impression on me.", Rythian noted, "Have you eaten?"

"Yes. It's 10am."

"Shit. I slept in a lot."

"Yes you did. The boat'll arrive at 6pm. You should eat something before you get ready."

Rythian heeded this advice, and went to talk to Ravs.

"Have you seen Zoey?", Rythian asked.

"Nope.", Ravs replied.

"I may have wet myself a little. She's utterly gorgeous."

Zoey entered the main area of the tavern.

Ravs was smitten, "Shiiiiiiiiit."

Rythian slapped him, "Zoey's mine, you dirty Scotsman."

Zoey joined in, "That's my Rythian. I'll slap you with the robot arm if you try anything on me at the party."

Ravs slunk in to the shadows, and Rythian grabbed some bread and a glass of water. He ate quickly, and Zoey suggested that they go outside. He agreed, and they went to look out over the water. The sky was clear, and they could see the hill that hid Blackrock Crater. Rythian knew exactly what Zoey was thinking.

"Don't sweat it. We have a new home now. All that stuff is behind us. As is the sun, quite literally. We should go inside."

Zoey nodded in approval, and they came in from the sunlight.

6pm drew nearer. By 5:30, they were all ready to go. Rythian was wearing a purple jacket with a black shirt underneath, dark blue pants, and black trainers. He was trying to look casual and relaxed. Ravs was wearing the least scruffy casual clothes he owned, namely a baggy blue shirt, some black tracksuit pants, and red trainers. Rythian and Zoey both agreed that he looked a bit stupid. As the hour drew nearer, Rythian fumbled with his jacket, simply because he needed something to do. Finally, at 5:50, something happened.

Zoey pointed at the horizon, "There it is!"

Rythian squinted. The boat was not, in fact, a boat. It was a hovercraft. As the craft drew closer, squinting revealed who was on the bridge.

He was confused, "Is that... Sips?"

"Sure is", Zoey said.

"Yep", Ravs agreed.

Rythian realized what was happening. He was about to board a hovercraft, full of people who were about to go to a crazy party, and piloted by Sips.

"You know what they say. Getting there is half the fun."

A/N: You know why I concentrate a bit more on what Zoey wears than on what Rythian and Ravs wear? Because stuff. Zoey's also trying to impress Rythian. Also, you may have noticed..

Zoey: I'm wearing a red and yellow dress so that mean I'm Katniss!

Rythian: (pulls out bow) Look! I have a bow, so I'M KATNISS!

Me: Rythian, where'd you get that?

Rythian: No idea. I'm Katniss, though

Me: Nope, Zoey is Katniss, because she said it first

Rythian: Dammit

Oh dear. It's happened again.