Out of nowhere, Akato laughed-- mirthfully, charmingly. It was like bells ringing, somehow, an infectious noise of pure relishing. "Excellent choice!" he said, and before Akito could say much about it his hand was going to his pocket again, and he'd produced the money for the mask.

"You take it with you then, it's yours. A gift, a gift for a friend of the people of the Scarlet Road," he announced with flair before putting the money down. An old, wrinkled hand with long fingers came from between the masks and picked it up.