The next day loomed earlier than anyone would have liked, but they soldiered through showers and obediently met for a quick breakfast at 6.30am, before jumping on a 7am bus to Damnoen Saduak floating market.
They spent the rest of the morning enjoying the bustling of the boats selling their wares, and kept up the famous tourist tradition of getting ripped off. When midday approached, the group decided to skip lunch and head home, as they had eaten their fill on exotic snacks from many of the different boating vendors.
"So what's on the brochures, I mean bucket list tonight Charlie-girl?" Vinnie asked on the bus ride back, his arm slung over his wife's shoulders.
"'We're going to a full moon party" Charlie replied, grinning at him.
Vinnie laughed and seized her face gently between his hands.
"Well I'll be a Martian farmer if I don't have meself the baddest wifey-jammer this side of Mars!" he drawled, before pulling her into a swift lip-smacking kiss.
The rest of the group wanted to know what the hubbub was about, and Vinnie repeated what Charlie had told him. There were more high fives thrown around by the gang in the following ten minutes, than there were butt-slaps at the entire Superbowl.
When they arrived at the hotel, Charlie suggested they start packing, as they were checking out the following morning and unlikely to be in any fit state to do so before departure.
The group split up to do their individual packing and spent the rest of the day relaxing.
Modo, Vinnie and Charlie spent the afternoon lazing by the pool drinking mocktails, much to the lifeguard's relief. Throttle and Carbine decided to say a fond farewell to one of their favourite 'walking' spots on the beach before joining them. Stoker opted for a boat ride on the Chao Phraya River, so he phoned his taxi driver buddy and they headed out together for a scenic cruise and farewell beer.
As time for the party rolled round, the group straggled in twos to the lobby.
As the others arrived, Charlie ran a quick checklist with each individual to make sure they had everything they needed. A room key and cash for transport and consumables was a must, as well as proper footwear. She had researched the internet religiously on Full Moon Parties and was determined everyone come home safe and sound. Though when questioned how the inflatable duck floaties fitted into the picture, she had to confess she too was at a loss, but that one website had strongly suggested it so she didn't want to take any chances.
The women were dressed in one piece swimsuits, denim cut-off shorts and thin white singlets and the men, apart from Stoker, were dressed in board shorts and white shirts or singlets, depending on preference.
"You really want to wear that Stoker?" Charlie asked the older Freedom-fighter. She was struggling to understand if he was joking around, but his face was full of confusion at her question.
"Absolutely Charlie-love, it's very comfortable and perfect for these hot nights" Stoker replied enthusiastically, pulling at the straps on his outfit.
"Can I suggest you put on a pair of shorts and top until we get there?" Charlie hinted desperately, determined to make it out of the lobby before anyone else stopped to take pictures of the Martian.
"Not on your life young lady, I'm going to enjoy this party to the maximum!" Stoker announced, before strutting his way to the hotel exit and waving at the doormen.
"What kind of bathing suit is that Charlie-ma'am?" Modo asked, as Stoker pulled out his phone near the taxi ramp to call his Thai buddy.
"It's called a mankini. But why he couldn't go with traditional green is beyond me. No, had to be bright pink didn't it!" Charlie groused, half torn between sending Modo upstairs to get Stoker a pair of shorts, and watching the fun unfold as they made their way to the party.
"What I want to know is, where did he stash his phone?!" Carbine asked incredulously.
As possible scenarios of where the phone might have been placed came to mind, Carbine shuddered with repulsion.
"I pity whoever has to watch him fetch his wallet!" Throttle commented, trying not to retch.
"Ok beautiful peoples, let's just get this show on the road" Charlie sighed, urging the gang out of the hotel.
Vinnie smirked at his wife as they walked out of the hotel exit and were greeted by the sight of Stoker bent halfway through the taxi window as he chatted amicably with his friend. His furry derriere was only slightly obscured by the swishing of his metallic tail from side to side, leaving very little to the imagination.
"Don't you mean, let's get this horror show on the road?!" Vinnie commented when she blanched at the sight and turned to walk backwards to the taxi.
"Tell me when it's over" she begged her husband, closing her eyes and counting to ten.
"Oh sweetheart, it's never going to be over. You've got all night to enjoy the sight, and it will play over, and over, and over in your mind's eye, haunting your every dream!" Vinnie whispered into her ear.
Her eyes flew open and she stared at her smug looking husband, while her mind tried to digest that information.
"Sometimes I really hate you!" she laughed, punching him lightly on the shoulder.
Carbine, tired of the sight of Stoker's nether regions on display, picked him up by the feet and shoved him head first into the front of the taxi.
"Modo, you take point" she ordered the gray tower of muscled flesh, pointing next to Stoker in the front seat.
"Hell no, Carbine-ma'am!" the gentle giant replied emphatically, before sitting determinedly in the rear seat with Vinnie and Charlie.
His breath came out in a whoosh as Carbine settled herself unexpectedly on Modo's lap.
"Sorry big guy, I just can't do it!" Carbine apologised as she hooked her arms around his neck and held on with grim determination.
She needn't have worried because her brother-in-law was a gentleman before anything else, and he hated to see any lady suffer. She was safe from the front seat and Stoker's...er...assets.
"Charlie, can you sit on Vinnie's lap?" Throttle begged the human but she shook her head.
"Sorry Throttle, this taxi is smaller than the other one, you'll have to sit up front" Charlie said, pointing to Carbine's legs stretched across their laps to the other side of the backseat.
Sighing, Throttle climbed in next to his friend and tried to count backwards.
The taxi driver, satisfied his customers were settled, eased the vehicle out of the hotel taxi zone and joined the evening traffic.
"Stoke, please stop leaning on me with your arse-cheeks!" Throttle begged as they picked up speed.