"I'm actually fine with smoke, but I was told it's apparently bad for people? I think I'd enjoy the exhalation valve, how much would it cost?

And... what does it mean to '3D print' something? I'm... one of the Chelish refugees, I still have a lot to learn..."

"Smoke is indeed bad for people! It causes them to wheeze and cough and causes all sorts of lung problems and illnesses. The exhalation valve is really quite cheap, less than the filters, so don't worry about that."

"3D printing means that you use a special machine to quickly create an item, essentially putting layers of material on top of each other. It lets you be more precise than working by hand."

"Oh, them I definitely want it, yes.

May I watch the machine working?"

"Sure, why not?" He takes her to a backroom of the shop, with a fairly small 3D printer. After taking the necessary measurements of Zenobia's helmet, he turns it on, and it slowly, layer by layer, creates a clip that's able to hold the necessary filters on the front of her helm's air intake. It's a quite mesmerizing process to see happen.

"There, that's the clip. Now, it's just to put in the filter, and attach it to your helm, and..." it's a fairly quick process. He also puts a disc made of some kind of ultra-light plastic inside another part of the 3D printed bracket. The contraption makes the helmet a bit bulkier, but it can be removed when it's unneeded.

"It should work now? You shouldn't have to worry about any smoke or breathing in anything else unwanted with this on."

"Thank you very much, it's so fascinating to see the technology you have at work."

She pays and gets outside. If she concentrates she can notice the filter making breathing a bit harder, but as soon as she stops paying attention it's almost like not having it. The air that comes through it is completely empty of smell and she can breathe easily and not cough at all.

Hey, I'm done with the tailor, meet up?

Happily! Maybe meet up at the winter fountain? I really think it's the prettiest place in the city.

Sure! How do I get there from the tailor?

You can find a route using the subway with your phone. I guess you'd want to save your energy for the walk to the fireworks show?

She checks the maps. It takes her a while (she still doesn't speak the language very well), but she manages to find the fountain. It's only four stops away.

Meet you there in 15.

Ooh, I just know the fireworks will be wonderful this year!

Zenobia gets off the subway, and starts walking up the stairs. She prefers it to using the escalators, she likes feeling in good shape, and every bit of exercise counts.

The sky is still yellow from the fire of the previous day, and as she steps out of the building, the setting sun bathes the whole world in a deep red, as if everything was still on fire.

The view from up there is incredible, on a clear day you can see the whole valley, but with the smoke still lingering in the air it's like being in the middle of nowhere, a smattering of houses suspended in the fog like one of those snow globes they sell in the souvenirs shop.

It would have been nice to see the stars, but she's really looking forward to seeing the fireworks. William showed her a video on his phone, but also said that the real thing is way more impressive. They looked very pretty, she can't wait for the show to start.

It takes a bit, but Zenobia finally reaches the outskirts of town, together with William, where she will have a fantastic view of the fireworks. After a countdown, a single firework flies into the sky, marking the start of the show as its vast explosion looks like a sun with its rays, slowly making its way down to the ground.

She's startled by the first explosion, but any wariness at the loud sounds is immediately replaced by childlike delight at the colors and shapes painting the sky with their light.

It's beautiful. Every new one a surprise: whistling, crackling, colors changing, small and high, or massive and looking like she could touch it.

The forest is bathed in the rich reds, greens, whites, blues of the fireworks, and Zenobia can see around her some of the regulars at the bar.

Next to Zenobia, someone is holding a thermometer, watching the temperature keep inching down as it gets colder and colder and darker and darker. But Zenobia remains perfectly comfortable under the thick insulation of her snowsuit; she can see a few people spreading their arms, seeming to dare the cold to bite them, as they casually relax in the cold and constant wind.

Sana is wearing just her skin-clothes and a mask with gas filters, staring at the fireworks with fascination.

"You know, I had heard about fireworks before. Apparently they're very popular in Tian Xia, but I had never seen one myself, they're way too expensive in Avistan. Plus they're beautiful and whimsical, so Infernal Cheliax would have never used them to celebrate anyway."

One of the men looking at the fireworks, dressed in his thick snowsuit, looks over to Sana. "I'm glad you're getting a chance to enjoy this, miss. Also, I think it's amazing that you're able to handle this cold in your current outfit!"

"They're beautiful, and it's great to celebrate how a richer society means that everyone can have nice things, even a sex worker like me.

As for the cold... I'm cheating! Care to have a guess?"

"You're using something from the other side of that magical portal, you have to be doing that. Do they do something to the clothes, so that they can be made ultra-warm?"

"No, it's not the clothes. I could be naked right now. Well, I wouldn't in public, but - hypothetically - I would still feel warm."

"It's pretty great, although some people would consider it cheating. I think cheating is just a technique like any other, as long as you're not hurting someone."

"As long as you're not lying to them, really. I think that the dishonesty is the thing that makes cheating cheating, wouldn't you say?"

"But there's situations where lying is fine? Like if you're preparing a surprise for someone, you may need to lie to them, but you don't want to hurt them with your lie?"

"Nothing cheating about a surprise party, that's for sure!" He quietly takes a few steps, returning his attention to the powerful fireworks filling the sky.