"Don't you think it's strange how the Menagerie now sells rave merchandise?", you ask.

They take a glance to the side, prompting you to look that way, as well. Some of the masked dancers wear flashy, neon clothing that make them stick out like a sore thumb against the regal backdrop of the ballroom. "You can blame that on Adriette. There's a time and place for raving, but that's not here."

You take it that they have a somewhat hostile outlook on the influx of Lower Ziaran fashion into the Revolution Masquerade in the last two years. Cautiously you enquire, "Have you been to Lower Ziara?"

Their eyes widen, and their lips part into a look of surprise.

"Yes, I have.", they sheepishly say.

Recalling that Zone 1 Travel Passes are now available in the Steamworks Menagerie, you no longer have to scour Upper Ziara for any incognito Lower Ziarans for directions to the underbelly of the lunar city. You make a proposition to your dance partner to go to Zone 1. "How about we ditch this ballroom and go out partying there?"

They immediately say, "No, I can't."

"Why not? It's easier to go there now, you just need a Zone 1 Travel Pass.", you mention.

Your dance partner shakes their head and releases their hands from you. "I have to go now. Thanks for the dance!" As a token of appreciation for dancing, your dance partner is revealed to be Anna. She places two Steamworks Trinkets in your hands and runs towards the exit.

She clicks her tongue repeatedly as she wags her finger at you. "Have you forgotten dancing etiquette? You're supposed to wait until your partner tells you their name. Even if you already know me, it spoils the fun, don'cha think?"

As a token of appreciation for dancing, your dance partner is confirmed to be Anna. She places two Steamworks Trinkets in your hands and says, "You just ruined the mood. Bye." She runs towards the exit.

"Are you playing me dumb?" They scoff again. Upon saying that, you realise that your would-have-been dance partner is familiar.

"That's not how the achievement works.", they say.

You point out to them that they just mentioned being denied a dance for the first time.

They roll their eyes, their hue reminding you of… Anna?

"Well, I didn't ask you to deny my invitation. If you were into that," she looks at the lines of dancing booths located on one side of the ballroom, and continues, "That's the place you're looking for." She points to a table with a sign that reads, "Denied Dances".

"Have fun not getting any trinkets, loser." She storms off towards the exit.

"Wow, you're hella rude. After everything I've given you?" As soon as they roll their eyes, it becomes apparent to you that you've heard this line before. Is this Anna you just denied?

Perhaps she acts this way because she thinks she can buy friendship. You tell her, "If you're going to use gifts as a way to make people like you, it won't get you very far if you have such a horrible attitude."

"What gall you have to tell me what to do! I have many friends, and they love me very much, thank you!", she retorts.

"Then why aren't they dancing with you?", you shoot back.

Her mouth agape, she wordlessly storms off towards the exit.

You nearly bump into a person wearing glowing bunny ears as you approach the exit. After you apologise to them, you realise that you've lost track of your target. By the time you reach the stairway, you can't see any trace of her. Where will you go now?

As is customary every Masquerade, a few people have put up booths with decorations of varying quality and effort, advertising prizes if you dance with them. Some bank on offering rare clothes, while others turned their tables into miniature art galleries. Others even offer to reject your invitations for dances, as if you'd get something out of it. What kind of bragging rights do you get from being turned down for a dance?

Among the few booths that purport to offer "no-strings attached dances", you see two people who do not seem to be occupied, apart from occasionally exchanging words with each other.

You ascend the staircase and find yourself at the rear entrance of the lounge. Brass embellishments encircle its interior, and two massive chandeliers are suspended from the top of the glass dome that encloses the lounge. Cocktail tables and sofas are filled with masked strangers getting to know each other, friends gossiping about the most well-dressed dancers in the ballroom, a few lone wolves eyeing people sitting in the bar, and the occasional customer that passed out from having one too many drinks. You search for her among these crowds, and finally locate her seated right in front of the barkeep.

"Oh, please… My liver is made of diamonds.", she pleads.

"Madame, I can't take responsibility for what will happen to you if I mix the entire Science line into one drink. They are among our strongest drinks.", says the barkeep.

You hesitantly rest your hand against her shoulder, and interrupt her. "If you were just going to get a few drinks, why didn't you take me along with you?", you ask.

She turns around to look at you. "Oh my, I had no idea you were here!" She covers her mouth with both of her hands for a moment, then gestures at the empty seat next to her. "I am so sorry about last time, back in Centropolis."

You tell her that it's not a problem, even if she was acting very… suspect in the ballroom earlier.

"It's great seeing you here!", she exclaims in delight. "What drink would you like? It's on me."

You gently turn her down, and ask her if she's doing alright. She seemed to be in bad shape the last time you saw her in Centropolis. She said something about letting go of a friend?

"I really don't know what I'm doing with my life." She twirls an empty wine glass with the tip of her finger.

"Do you want to talk about it?", you ask.

"I'd rather not burden other people with my own problems." The barkeep gives her an Erlenmeyer flask filled with a bubbling liquid. When you notice that she's taking more than a sip of the drink, you try to stop her, but she drinks it all in one one-shot. "This Masquerade, I'm only here because I want to forget. I wasn't supposed to go to Ziara, but I wanted to experience this one last time."

"Last time? What are you talking about?" She must really have a lot going on in her mind.

"We can talk about it the next time we meet in Centropolis, along with that favour I asked you about." She asks the barkeep for another drink, and slumps her head on the table.

The barkeep sighs and passes another drink to her. She immediately holds the glass in her hand. It's going to be hard to find her without some form of communication. You ask her if she has social media or a cellphone on her.

She laughs manically. Her drink nearly slips off her hand. "That's a funny question..."

Is she okay?

As though a discovery came to her mind, her eyes light up and widen. "That stuff is way too mainstream for my taste. I like going back to the olden days where encounters were always left to chance."

"Nice one, Vera!", yells the man wearing teal. He claps for her, a big grin on his face.

As you lead her to the dancefloor, Vera hisses at the man and says, "Maki, shut up."

Her lips and arms are trembling as soon as she faces you. You ask her if she's okay. Maybe the air-conditioning is too cold for her.

"Never in my life did I imagine myself wearing a dress to these frivolities." Vera looks away from you, her hands tensing up as she rests them on your shoulders.

"Is this the first time you attended the Masquerade?", you ask her.

"Indeed." Her hands shaking, she closes her eyes and bites on her lip.

You're not sure what's going on, but it's clear that Vera isn't comfortable right now. You say, "If you don't feel like dancing, we can stop now."

She releases her hands from you. "Thank you. That was not as horrific as I anticipated." She bows and gives you two Steamworks Trinkets as a token of appreciation for dancing.

"Maravilhoso!", exclaims Maki from his table, wildly clapping at Vera, who uneasily walks toward him.