"I'd advise against it. I'd get rid of half this space for something more useful if I thought I could get away with it." It might seem like she's joking, but her tone is anything but. Of course, her family would eat her alive if she showed that much weakness.

They approach the mansion, Akiha letting her have it without too much fuss. The gate opens with Akiha's key, surprisingly - there's no intercom or anything to try and get someone to fetch them, even though just the walk from the gate to the front door is a bit of a process.

Nico gets her first real whiff of the good life when Akiha opens the large doors and lets them both in, of course. The foyer itself is as big as her apartment, at least, expensive-seeming artwork hanging on the walls. It's distinctly western. That includes the uniform of the maid that curtsies as they walk in.

"Good afternoon, Hisui," Akiha says, and the maid nods back. Then peers over Akiha's shoulder at Nico, of course. Akiha doesn't miss the look.

"This is an acquaintance of mine, Nico Yazawa. We'll be discussing something in my room, so please don't disturb me until dinner," Akiha orders, and the tone might make Nico question that whole 'like family' thing. Especially when the maid - Hisui - speaks, and her voice is distinctly cold and businesslike. "Understood. Will she be joining us for dinner?"

Akiha glances at Nico herself, then answers for her. "Yes, she will. And if Shiki isn't home in half an hour, we'll be feeding her his portion."

It's another one of those things that seems like a joke until Hisui nods. "I'll tell my sister, then. Excuse me," Hisui says as she bows her head, then walks out of the foyer.

The immediate impression is that Akiha runs a tight ship. And also, holy crap, she has maids.

"If you intend to stand there in awe, there are better views in this mansion. For instance, the window of my room."