In the hotel lounge, which is nearly deserted at this hour, Akodo Akihiko has prepared for another clan meeting. He knows his clanmates are on their way, but for a time he sits alone with five empty teacups.

A servant had attempted to take one cup when Akihiko mentioned he had three guests coming. The speed and volume of the Lion's reaction ensured that servant was now hiding in the kitchen and another would bring out a fresh pot of tea at any time.

With a deep frown on his face, Akihiko reaches over to turn one of the teacups upside down, marking a place for Matsu Chiyoko in spirit.

Nozomi pressed her glasses up her nose and approached the table. "Been kind of a rough day for me. What about yourself?"

The final Lion found her way a minute after the Kitsu and Murame. She could feel a giant weight on her shoulders that she knew she had to bear for just a little bit. There were things that her fellow Lion needed to know, and she planned to tell them.

“Cousins.” Hide said with a bow.

Akihiko stands as they arrive, bowing in response to Shoan but mostly informally gesturing them to sit. "Hai, a rough day for us all. Given that, I would suggest we not stand too much formality. I hope you'll all forgive me calling this meeting the same day as we honored Matsu Chiyoko-san, but we have little time remaining here. The events," he almost growls the word, "of the last day make our duty even more clear and urgent, so we must plan and execute effectively."

"First, let us share what we know of the situation at this time." It's not a question, but he looks to the other Lions to speak now.

Hide looked around at the others before she cleared her throat to get attention on her. “I think I might know more than anyone... But some of what I have to say cannot be spoken aloud.”

She let that sink in before she continued, “Anyway, according to Utaku Hyeon-ju-san, they both went to the studio of one Isawa Shin. Some kind of fashion designer... And this is the part where I will need something to write with.”

Akihiko looks at Hide questioningly, but he slides some paper and writing implements to the center of the table. This isn't what he expected they might need them for, but he's pleased to be prepared.

Hide started to furiously write down information, underlining something many times. She then slid the paper to the middle of the table for the rest of the Lion to see.

Akihiko's immediate reaction is disbelief, but his first action is sweeping the room for any observers that might catch a glimpse of the paper. Satisfied that the space is as secure as they can make it, he keeps watch on Nozomi and Shoan, ready to quiet them if their reactions are too attention grabbing.

Nozomi glanced at the note and then pushed up her glasses. "So what are we going to do about it?" she asked before taking out her densai.

Hide flipped over the piece of paper and took a moment to think before writing fast.

Akihiko nods approvingly at the discipline of his clan mates. He wouldn't have worried on any day but today, but the shock from Chiyoko's sudden death was too fresh.

In a quiet, controlled voice, Akihiko says, "I'm going to say something that I don't expect anyone will like: It doesn't seem like we can solve this issue with what we know right now. We should be ready to help if called upon, but randomly searching in frustration will only weaken us for when we can satisfy our clan's honor."

"When one crosses a Lion, they cross us all," Nozomi murmured. "But you're right. We cannot charge in blindly on another planet, especially when we have other duties to attend to."

She let out a wistful sigh. "I imagine the others know we are always ready to do our part."

Calmly"There are samurai on Asakaze honourable enough to do the right things....after they have tried everything else. They know that if actual warriors are needed, the Lion are ready as always."

Akihiko smiles grimly, and turns toward Matsu Hide. "Matsu-san," he says, voice tightly controlled. "You will please remind our friends," he says the word as though it gives him a bad taste, but he gives the samurai-ko a look of very clear intent. "That the fiery rage of an angered pride of Lions is a devastating thing, and we will use it without hesitation upon those deserving of such wrath." Instead of the joking, sometimes anxious eyes that the other Lions have seen in Akihiko before, in this moment they are the cold, dead, steel eyes of a pilot ready to glass an entire planet as soon as the orders come through.

After a moment's pause, the gunso shifts gears. First he pours tea for each of his remaining kin, then he holds his own tea cup in two hands in front of him, seeming to speak more to it than to the other Lions.

"If all are ready to proceed, let us speak of the approaching end to this miai, and how we fare on our objectives -- individually and as a clan."

As the Lion held their meeting, a message came through for Matsu Hide's communicator from Kuni Eriko.

Well, that was some convenient buzzing from her communicator.

“Uhhh... Speaking of friends, I just got a message from Kuni Eriko-san. She wants your contact information, Akodo-sama.” She looked up at the others, her comm in front of her on the table. “I think she wants to talk.”

Shoan blinks slowly
"That...is very good timing. Unless this is about a delivery to the wrong address."

Akihiko takes a drink of tea. He's so tightly wound at this moment he doesn't even react to its terrible weak flavor.

"Share the contact please, of course." He closes his eyes meditatively.