The welcoming party had been generous with drinks, and Akemi returned to her room quite joyous. She was escorted by her servant Kyoko, who was carrying some luggage and having a hard time preventing herself from showing signs of fatigue, both physical and mental:

"This is a waste of money Hida-sama."
"Na na na. It's an investment. If you can stay at the inn, you can support me better, which increases the chance I'll get a better match."
"I'm not sure your grandfather..."
"Do you really want me to invest money the way grandfather do?"
"If you allow me I would rather not answer that Hida-sama."
"Of course I allow you. Now go set up your bunk where you can."

Chiyoko had... a bit to drink. But not so much that she'd consider herself too inebriated. Still. She was going to need to talk to whoever thought it was a good idea to have rotating hallways. That's just irresponsible. And this door handle needs to stop moving round all the time. Terrible design.

She finally figured out the handle. Opens the door. And sways towards the bunk she had set all her stuff on. Her eyes catch a glimpse of the Crab. She gives a bow that can be best described as 'technically not rude.'

Akemi looked at the person who entered the room.

Then looked again.

And again.

"OH MY KAMI ARE YOU MAXIMUM RANGE CHIYOKO?"

Chiyoko winced at the shouting. "Ikoma-san, I don't have time for another interview, I'm very tired..." And then she blinked. Did a double take and realized it was the Crab who got suddenly excited at her presence. And she stood up a bit straighter. Smoothed out her kami-damned kimono. "Yeah. That's me."

"Oh my, oh my, can I have your autograph please? Kyoko, find me actual paper and ink."

Kyoko answered with a glance that meant Manners! before leaving the room to search for the commodity. Akemi took note of the hint and bowed:

"Hi. I'm Hida Akemi, daughter of Hida Norika and granddaughter of Hida Kinichi. It's an honor to finally meet you. I've followed all your exploits. Like the time you killed three sentries with a single shot so none could sound the alarm!"

Chiyoko blinked in surprise. Did she actually do that? She didn't remember doing it. "Uh, yeah. That was a pretty good shot." ...Did that sound modest or arrogant? She wasn't sure. She was way too busy trying to remember such a one in a million shot that even she would have difficulty with. Maybe the Ikoma accidentally credited another sniper's accomplishment to her?

Just sitting in her little corner of her bed, Atena was reading from her densai. She looked at the two chatty girls and went back to reading. She motioned the two to keep it down.

"Oh my. Oh my. I remember when I saw you for the first time. I was in a hospital bed – it was just after the explosion who took my left arm..."

She flexed its mechanical replacement to emphasize her story.

"My teachers had sent me a lot of things to study, to make the best out of my downtime as they said. And here, while I was half-delirious due to fatigue and painkillers, trying to write a dissertation on the best strategy to employ when boarding a bigger ship, I gave a look at the Network. And here you were, dispatching enemies like flies! Was instantly won over."

Chiyoko blinked a bit. Was she really that big a deal? More importantly, they had another roommate that she hadn't noticed. So she lowered her voice to speak to Akemi. "Well. I am glad that my exploits might have helped you in some way. What happened that you lost your arm?"

"Booby trap. Likely Spider in origin."

Then she remembered that she was supposed to answer to that question and recited theatrically:

"Bomb was about to detonate. It was my arm or the life of my squadron as the explosion would have breached the hull of the vessel and throw us all into outer space. Didn't hesitate for a second. Tore it off the wall just in time."

Chiyoko nodded carefully. "A tough sacrifice to make, but you did your Ancestors proud with it." She sat on her bed, sliding off the overly traditional sandals that she was stuck wearing with the fine kimono. "Kami above, who even wears clothes like this anymore?"

Atena sighed. It was going to be one of those nights. She turned off her Densai and frown. "I guess my reading can wait."

"Phoenix?

Not my style either. Grandpa has a saying for that. You should always dress for business, as you never know when business might find you. And you should always dress for moving quickly, as you never know when troubles might find you."

Hearing the new voice, she turned her head and this time didn't forget to bow. Twice:

"Oh, sorry sorry, I hadn't noticed you. I'm Hida Akemi."

Atena sighed and gave a seated bow. "I am Moshi Atena." She moved over to put her densai in her bag. "I am sorry that I interrupted your discussion but I was trying to read.

"Oh sorry. I might have gotten a bit overly enthusiast there. But Matsu MAXIMUM RANGE Chiyoko dammit. I'm sure you've heard of her too!"

Chiyoko was in the process of removing the Obi. How did the servants tie it so damn tight? What even IS this knot? She didn't seem to notice the gushing at the moment.

Atena shook her head. "I don't know much about celebrities or any broadcasted programing." She looked at the Matsu. "Besides she is a normal person too..." She moved closer. "Do you need help?"

"Hm?" She looked to the approaching Mantis. It's likely she only made the knot worse. "Oh. Um. If you don't mind."

She looked at the knot, wondering how to approach it. She didn't go to a nautical school that taught her knots but she knew a thing or two. "Under...over... right..." She said how the knot looked like. She slightly understood the puzzle. It wasn't completely loosened but now the Matsu could take the obi off.

Chiyoko being able to push it off was certainly enough for her. The servants could fight the knot later. "Kami above, thank you. I don't understand how people breathe with those things tied like that."