Neutral Territory, Planet: Iota

There was a hustle and bustle of energy surrounding the great hall. Decorations were being hung on the white walls. An elaborate chandelier was being hung from the ceiling, it's crystal light danced on the polished floor. Mika observed the set up already dressed for the coming event. He wore a lavender and silver Victorian suit and a feathered masquerade mask. Ember walked up behind him.

"What's going on?" Ember asked.

"Can't you tell? We're setting up for the masquerade."

"I didn't know we did that."

"What do you mean? We're known for our extravagant dances. Anyway, I thought you would be happy." Mika remarked.

"Happy?" Ember asked, before realizing Mika was referring to his eye.

"For the masquerade you'll have to wear a mask. I don't know how fun it will be."

"Neither do I."

"It's kind of sad that other people know more about our culture than we do."

"That's because we have no culture anymore." Ember stated and walked off to get ready for the dance.

Zane's Room, Planet: Iota

One of the workers pulled on the coarse strings to tighten the corset.

"Tell me again why I have to wear this thing?" Zane asked as the worker pulled.

"The dress has three layers, in order to keep your thin appearance we use the corset." The hair dresser stated. The corset was secure and a sleeveless black dress went over the infernal garment and hung by her ankles. A few tiny gold flowers were worked into her curls while a black see through skirt went around her waist. As a final touch a large pink and gold curtain was set on her chest and hips. It was wrapped and stitched till it appeared like a sleeveless dress and the skirt was pulled back to show case the black under dresses. A black ribbon with gold flowers on the hip was fastened around her waist, the excess ruffled behind her in layers that sat on the back of the dress. Black strings and gold flowers decorated her chest and stomach in a zig zag pattern. She grabbed her mask and slipped on the gold and black silk heels.

"O.K. I'm ready." She set the mask on her face and walked down the thin hallway to the transformed ball room. Music glided along the walls, forms danced with ease. She went to Mika and Ember. "Now what?"

"Why don't you ask one of the representatives to dance with you?" Mika suggested, "You can show off how much you practiced and gain information. How about the Akian, he doesn't look busy." Mika was finally getting the hang of manipulating people.

"O.K." She said and walked across the floor. She made it halfway before she was intercepted by an Irken in blue.

"May I have this dance?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"Sure… I guess." She said warily. He grasped the small of her back. "I don't see why we have to go through all of this. I'd rather get the competition over with now."

"To teach people how to have fun." He said as they began to dance.

"Fun? How is waltzing fun?"

"You're very good at it. The trick is to not follow a formula." He changed direction suddenly. "That's what makes it fun." He became trickier with his movements. Zane had to admit the inner conflict of who would slow down first was fun.

"It seems you can't keep up." She snickered.

"You know, I like you better when you're not wearing a mask." He said in a serious tone.

"Well you in luck, I'm only wearing it for tonight." Zane stood in shock at the end of the dance, he had seen through her performance as Zahara. He gave her a small flower and disappeared. She walked to the balcony twirling the flower in her hand, it was made entirely out of crystal.

"Zim!" Sola asked pulling Zane out of her trance.

"What?"

"You have a Zim!" Sola said excitedly, "…a Zirconium flower, they're super rare."

"What's so important about a flower?" Ember asked, drawing attention to himself and Mika.

"It's pretty." Sola stated.

"Yeah so. There's a whole bunch of them on Irk. All they are is annoying little weeds."

"Just because something is small, doesn't mean it's not important." Mika muttered shaking his head, he walked off the balcony and Ember followed suit.

"Boys, they just don't get it." Sola sighed.

"Actually I don't get it either."

"Maybe it's cause they're hard to find in Phunk. The Zirconium flower or Zim for short is the symbol of undying love and devotion. I think it's because they can grow anywhere, even once they've been picked including the one in your hand. I bet if you set it down long enough it would grow, even on a table. Not only that, but they're simply gorgeous." She sighed, and turned. "Well I got to go, the dance is almost over." Zane stared at the flower.

"Zim… what a pretty name." She took the flower to her room and put it in a cup of polished crystals.

Main Hall, Planet: Iota

Mika walked the great hall, he needed a break from Ember. The 'mighty' soldier acted more like a smeet not getting his way. He noticed a familiar Akian sitting at a table.

"Beryl?" Mika asked, the Akian looked up.

"Mika?"

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to watch competition and… AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR!"

"I had to cut it for the mission."

"WHY!"

"Gee sis, I'm on a life threatening mission and your biggest concern is my hair?"

"Actually I wanted instructions on the washing machine. I don't know how to work it."

"I feel the love." Mika stated sarcastically.