Autumn waited by a door on the opposite side of the room for a minute or two, dripping wet with cold water. Eventually she made her way over, ignoring Lotus's obvious embarrassment. "I'm taking a shot in the dark here—this isn't how kirin wash where you come from."

She nodded, no longer making eye contact. She wasn't any more naked than she'd been five minutes ago, but something about the bathroom made it impossible not to feel self-conscious. "Mostly I use a shower. Water comes out of the ceiling then you turn it off again. You don't have to worry about all these steps..."

"Really? Sounds interesting. Give me that soap, hold still."

Lotus could no more resist her than she had fought for the satchel earlier in the morning. The other kirin worked quickly, without any particular gentleness. The soap stung, but she did start feeling clean.