"I still don't see why you don't just ask her out," wondered Onyx.
     "Because it's not the right time," Tracer explained.
     "That's what you always say."
     "Cuz it's always true."
     "It's just that it's been so long.  You should just ask her already."
     "Would you keep it down!" Tracer turned to him.  "She might hear you."
     "She can't hear you in electroaqueous form, but I wish she could.  At least it'd be out in the open."
     "Listen Onyx.  You better not be getting all giddy about setting me up with Halley, just cuz yer hitched."
     There was a slight pause as Onyx analyzed the statement.  "Well... hmmmm.  Regardless, you should still ask her out."
     "Fuck off already.  I'm gonna go wake her up.  And don't do anything stupid!" she warned him.
     Tracer stepped painfully onto the sculpted hub of the diamond fountain, fighting the stings of her still-bruised legs.  Onyx's medical sundials maintained their diligence, repairing those wounds uncovered by makeshift trenchcoat bandages.  Unlacing her padded footwear, she dipped a bare foot into the energized water, signalling for Halogen to emerge.  Seeing an aqueous density variance approaching, she raced to escape the rising shock.
     "Shit," she cursed as the modest electrical charge zapped her nerves.  Turning to the fountain, she watched Halogen change from malleable fluid form to solid state muscle.  A shell of lustreless black rubber outlined her lean figure.  A short, auburn crewcut crowned her head.
     "Haha, got you again!" began the warrior-guard.  "Oh my, what happened to your legs!"
     "Some clowns picked a fight with me and Onyx."
     "You really got pummelled," glared Halogen as she hoisted herself onto the hub's rim.  "I've never seen you this injured."
     "Oh sure you have.  I come in like this all the time."
     "Where'd you get those feathers?"
     "It's a long story.  I'll tell ya later."
     Halogen began to change the subject.  "Your father is... WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR?"  She obviously meant Onyx.  His feathers were gone, as were the braids.  Both had been replaced by a river of translucent rainbow strands.
     Onyx smiled strangely.
     "Trust me, I'll explain everything later."
     "Uh, okay.... um... yeah... your father is worried about you."
     "Yeah, I can imagine."
     "He knows about your speeder and is quite concerned."
     "Any news from the others?"
     "I'm afraid Symm and Deluxe have not returned from last night."
     "WHAT?" Tracer and Onyx blurted simultaneously.
     "I'm afraid so.  There has been no sign of them.  Until your arrival, I had personally assumed you were all together.  I see that you are not.  Was there a problem that you were separated?"
     "No, nothing like that," Onyx responded.
     Tracer watched as Halogen stalled to absorb Onyx's new look.  His form seemed to 'flicker', like a candle's shifty flame.  It would definitely take them all some time to get used to.
     "Halley, heeeelllooo Halley."
     "Sorry," she staggered, "it's very hypnotic."
     "Symm and Deluxe."
     "Right," she stated, trying to gather her wits.  "Parker informs us that they left last night, not long after the two of you 'entered the Park?'"
     "Yeah and.."
     "And they hit the Alley."
     "But we know all this."
     "There is also something new of concern to you."
     "Oh?"
     "There is an encrypted message.... from Prince Gabriel."
     "Gabriel?"
     "Yes.  Encrypted with your public key."
     "Where's the message?" Tracer wondering.
     Halogen clenched her fist and slowly unfolded her fingers.  A small silicon prism glowed in her palm.
     "How did you get it?"
     "It was delivered to us, intended for you, however you were gone so..."
     "I see, and how do you know it was from Gabriel?"
     "Because Harlequin delivered it."
      Tracer took the message from Halogen's hands and held it in the air closeby.  Stretching its shape wildly, electrons shot from its reflective surface, crackling madly.  Twisting and twirling the malleable mass, her private key began decrypting the hidden message.
     'HONOURABLE TRACER.  I GRACIOUSLY INVITE YOU TO MY PALACE TO DISCUSS THE LOSS OF YOUR SPEEDER.  TWO INVITES ARE ENCLOSED WITH THIS MESSAGE.  SINCERELY PRINCE GABRIEL OF THE PALACE.'  Two lipstick containers emerged from the prism.
     "That's it?"
     "Don't look at me."
     "When did this message arrive?"
     "This morning, about an hour ago.  I don't trust the prince."
     Onyx and Tracer turned, amused with Halogen's opinion.
     "Neither do I Halley, but what can I do?"
     "So we're going to the Palace?" quizzed Onyx.
     "Looks that way."  She handed Onyx a lipstick invite.
     "Who wears white anymore?"