Nishida had reserved the back room of the Drunk'n Crab and was waiting for his clan mates. He was wearing his casual outfit and had a cigarette in his mouth. Akechi was stationed at the door and controlled who came in, not that Nishida was expecting anyone other than those he had invited, but better safe then sorry.

On the table was a six-pack of Watsu Light. The light was dimmed but the air was pleasantly cool and dry.

Tetsu has already been at the Crab due to the musical planning, so it's no great diversion to come to the meeting.

"Akechi-san. He nods to the guard and proceeds to head inside. "I don't know Tomo-san had this. It seems very marketable."

Akemi entered the room in turn. She was wearing her usual business suit that people had probably get used to by now.

"Hello guys!" she said her voice and face a mix between enthusiasm and exhaustion after a long tiring day.

"So, this is your secret base then?"

He laughed, "Yes, our own little Kyuden Yasuki"

"Come in, take a beer, there's much to disuss" he offered.

"It kind of has become a home away from home. Honestly this is better than most ports I see on leave." Tetsu grabs one of the Watsu lights and cracks it open.

"If we do wind up getting a cut, I might just invest it back into the place."

Koryn sticks his head in, looking around questionably, "Hi...Uh...is this where I am supposed to be?"

"Koryn-kun! I thought you had gotten lost in the way to the planet!"

"Tetsu...Hi, I didn't know you were going to be here? Did they tell you you were security escorts for a Miya diplomatic conference too? I am sorry to inform you we have been duped, this isn't a diplomatic conference at all it's a marriage tournament!"

Despite tasking Shinjo Yul in finding a bar around the colony, it seemed that Eriko would eventually discover the Drunk'n Crab before him. She strolled in a grey top with a mandarin collar and navy blue pants with a front tie. The place looked scummy and low-end...which was the sort of joint that she was used to frequenting. Unlike a club, it was a place with a low-profile at least. The number of bars she had been thrown out of was significantly less than clubs, at least.

Eriko strolled in and noticed the gathering of Crab sitting around a table of Watsu Lights. "Heeey...okay, now I'm getting the feeling that I didn't bring my part. Was I supposed to bring the snacks?"

"Oh no, I knew what it was when I signed up. I can't be stuck as a private forever. Marriage is an important part of getting ahead: married guy seems more stable; superiors see the ring, they think at least somebody can stand the son of a bitch and must have a bit of cash in your pocket."

Tetsu does a double take as the Kuni woman walks in. Yes, Tsukiko-san is very much in his thoughts, but daaaaaamn.

"It's fine, it won't be the first liquid meal we've all had. Though...maybe we should see if Tomo-san is interested in putting in a kitchen"

"Greetings Kuni Koryn-san, Kuni Eriko-san. Maybe you've heard from me, i'm Yasuki Nishida, your host for this evening. And no, the beer is a gift from Yasuki Tomo-san, the owner" he said with a smile. "Even tho snacks wuld be nice too"

Eriko finally did the formal thing and gave everyone a bow. "Nice to meet you all, guys and gals," she said with a smirk before finding herself a seat.

Almost on cue, or perhaps Tomo's ears were burning, a heavy-set heimen bartender walked over to the table and placed down two plates of fried tofu crisps. They were general favourite among the Crab when it came to finger comfort food, once it wasn't very hot to the touch as it just came from the fryer.

"Compliments of the house from Yasuki-sama," he said with a grunt and made himself back to his post.

Koryn takes a seat, "How many Crab do we have attending this? How is everyone been doing? I am afraid I haven't done so well so far"

Tetsu snatches up one of the pieces of agadashi tofu with glee blowing on it to cool the piece down. "Tomo-san, your establishment is most excellent."

As for the events, I'm afraid that I haven't made much of a mark on the miai, but I did win dinner at that snazzy restaurant. There is someone who caught my eye: Bayushi Tsukiko, computer programmer. Brilliant too, by the way, at least as smart as me if not better. We've gone out a few times as friends...but she would have to pick me. She's likely considered a far superior spouse than I am. I should probably consider backups, but no one has jumped out at me yet."

Tetsu looks over at "Nishida. I did my best to talk you up to Chiruha. I think your date really gave a favorable impression. You do have some competition though...not sauve competition but competition nonetheless. There's a Phoenix by the name of Isawa Sora who desires her. He's a pig, even by my standards, but who knows. Defending her from him might seal it for you."

"It's nice to meet you too, as for how many crabs are on Asakaze, there's Hida Akemi-san, Hiruma Chiyoko, Yasuki Nakaba and us here."

Nishida reached for a beer and open it.

"I'm not sure if everyone can attend this meeting, but i inveted everyone" he shrugged.

He listend to Tetsu with high interested.
"I have to thank you then. I didn't had a feeling that we're gonna click, but she's one of my priorities" he admitted "I'm not suprised that she has other suitors, but that an Isawa is involved concerns me. I don't want to question his honor, but if it looks bad for him he could call the kami to his side."

He took a sip from the beer

"On the other hand, congratulations! With this voucher you might get some quality time with Bayuhsi Tsukiko-san"

he then looked over to Koryn again "You said you didn't know that this is a miai?"

"So two Hida, two Yasuki, a Hiruma, a Kaiu, and two Kuni, pretty good representation I guess, though no Toritaka" He smiles, "The other Yasuki must be the one who has been working with the Spider?" He pauses listening to the question and nods, "There was some confusion with my orders, but I am here now and committed to helping the clan with it's goals" He pauses again "What are those goals?"

"Well, it's to get hitched, no?" Tetsu chuckles. "I mean I'm hardly the best one to ask about politics, but I'm assuming that war is going to be picking up. We are working fine with Unicorn and Scorpion, but bluntly we need help. Mantis has the numbers to give us a bad time and now they both have the funding from Crane and support to Spider. At least for me, Scorpion was always the best choice because they have Electronic Warfare tech that would help us turn the tables. It just so happens that I..." Tetsu blushes a little. "Met a really cool one so fast"

But Unicorn has the materials to keep our shipyards at full tilt. Phoenix...they are getting mauled. They could use friends, and their magitech is the best"

"This miai... This miai is a battlefield! Spider and their allies, everywhere! So I've taken upon myself to do a bit of scouting. Here are all the data I've been able to gather in these three days."

Akemi turned her densai around to show the assistance her processed results:



"Only people I've been able to find enough relevant information about are listed. Personal importance is an estimation through rank and reputation, with an added bonus if they deal with military-related activities. Didn't have time to update it with the things I learned of only today. Crab and Spider are mostly listed as reference points.

From this data, it's clear that Emerald Magistrate in the making Bayushi Tenma would make an excellent spouse.

However I would like to draw your attention to the upper middle of the diagram, which is what I call the danger zone. Important people who could be swiped left more or less easily through Spider shenanigans.

We must prevent that at all cost! Don't forget: This is a war on two fronts at once. Not only do we need to reinforce our ranks, but we also need to prevent the enemy from bolstering theirs. For that purpose, I recommend targeted strikes to sabotage Spider chances with these people, and even snatching them for ourselves if better than the alternative.

Hida Akemi's report, over!"

Tetsu blinks a few times at Akemi's report. "I suppose that I should be grateful to be right on the middle on the importance chart."

He clears his throat. "I'm chasing a different Bayushi, but is there a chance to arrange a meeting with the other one."

She's damn hot too

Seeing as nobody was taking up the free beer at the centre of the table, Eriko was more than happy to take her share before it got too cold. "Soooo, are we going to let a tragedy happen and let these cans get warm? Honestly, have some compassion here!"

She popped open the can and took an enthusiastic chug. After the night at the club, suddenly she felt like going for something cold, crisp...and rather light beer. Looking around, she figured that they could serve the harder stuff here but the Phoenix might have their mind blown. She turned her attention to the report given by the Hida, she was just full of surprises.

"Hiruma Chiyoko? Like the celebrity? I guess figures that she might be here with the wrestling show. Do you think the rest of the Delinquent Club will make an appearance?"