"Well, never have I to be honest. But Oni – or Akuma – are a real thing, and we study them to be ready for the day we'll have to face one. That's like one of the main duties of the Crab.

...

Let me guess: The demons from your show do not come from Jigoku, they are not vulnerable to Jade and the wrath of the Sun, and the bad guy is not some two-zeni magician with a blood fetish?"

"The show is clan neutral. No real places, or real clans, or a real city! Or real people!" Nara said with a nod "the producers made sure of that from my understanding. They wanted something neutral. Good idea, ne?"

Shrug.

"Grandpa would say The difference between a good idea and a bad idea is that the good idea brings in money.

Did they manage to sell the rights of the show outside the Spider?"

"I...don't know" Nara said with a shake of her head "I didn't ask. Never thought about it. It was a successful show though, every network should show it! Maybe Crab will show it if you ask?"

"...

I think Yasuki Nakaba works for a Crab network or something like that. He is rarely available but you could ask him if you were to meet him. I don't know much about such things myself.

You could also try to sell or offer it to the local Phoenix network. I'm sure the person in charge will find your proposal... intriguing."

"Yasuki Nakaba? Yasuki Nakaba...." Nara trailed off, frowning. Then her eyes lit up. "Oh! Yasuki-sama! I know Yasuki-sama, he bought me a plushie. I have his card. You think Yasuki-sama might be interested?"

She paused again, thinking, before nodding.

"I can ask the network here too, hai. I don't know who to ask though. Maybe the governor?"

Akemi froze. What was the deal with Crab, Spider and plushies in this damn city?

"Oh yes Yasuki Nakaba has a reputation to be... quite friendly to Spider.

As for your questions, maybe? You know more about that movie business than me."

"Everyone should be friendly, there are no enemies at a miai! Just potential partners" Nara said with a giggle, before tilting her head and studying Akemi for a few long moments.

"How do you feel?"

Akemi looked at her in the mirror and completed a few spins before answering:

"Hmm. Like a warrior in a solid, well-adjusted armor before a battle? I don't really feel any prettier in this, but the robe itself should have quite an impact.

...

Hey, I'm a Hida, not a romantic."

"So Hida can't be romantic?" Nara chuckled "if you like it and it doesn't feel wrong after this time I would say it suits. Do you need help taking it off?"

"Nope. it's for immediate use. Like, in less than half an hour.

... I should probably go actually. Even Kyoko isn't going to be able to work miracles if I only let her 5 minutes to do my hair and my makeup."

"Wha? Already? But Hida-sama needs to pay for this and pick some gloves!" Nara said, concerned "you left yourself very little time. Are you sure?"

"Oh yes gloves. Can you look for a good pair for me while I pay for the dress?"

She also took her communicator and gave quick call:

"Kyoko, could you pass by the Silver Star ASAP? Bring the bike and the makeup kit. No it's not a codeword for my armor."

Nara nodded a few times, saying "matching gloves matching gloves. I shall check!"

She quickly zoomed off to the gloves section, going over a few different types, getting stuck between choices.

"This isn't quite the right colour but it woudl be the right length...these are the right colour but length...eeh!"

"Perfect color is not important, but they need to be the right length and fully opaque or the fleshcraft will show." shouted Akemi from the desk where a desperate employee was internally screaming about these samurai that not only made the shop close late but had no manner at all.

"Oh! Found them!"

Nara picked up a pair, nearly dropping them, before moving towards the desk.

"Will these work?" she held the gloves out

"Yes! Perfect! Will be taking that too. Here's keep the change... Oh yes, there is no change, I'm using my card. Well, keep it regardless."

To her phone: "Don't waste time parking the bike properly, I'm coming for you at the moment."

"Well Susumu Nara it has been... interesting. Bye."

She kind of tried to rush to the exit but, too worried to rip the dress in spite of Nara's reassuring words, she just walked quickly instead of running.

"Careful about the dress!" Nara called after the woman, giving her a bow even though she couldn't see it.

She waited a little while, then a noise by the cashier made her jump.

"Oh, you want to close don't you" Nara bowed and made her way out, returning to the inn to sleep...

/scene!