"...all right," said Ehri.  "Let's get you a phone and some other things before the shark-men destroy all human civilization."

"Ah, this appears to be a shopping centre. It would have been a good location to rob in my space pirate days," Umuru said, taking it all in.

"I imagine so," said Ehri.  "However, it's not necessary here, as I have money."

"That makes things easier," Umuru said.

"Yes," said Ehri.  "Nobody shooting at us, for example.  Shall we get you more clothes, too?"

"Couldn't you just make more?" Umuru asked.

"Yes, I could," said Ehri.  "But you should at the very least get a look at what else is out there."

"I will need your help then," Umuru said. "I don't know much about clothes."

"And this is your chance to learn," said Ehri.  "You can look around at what everyone else is wearing, and see what you like."

Umuru began to look around at various styles.

"Won't my tail make this difficult?"

"Really good clothes are usually modified and tailored to fit the wearer," said Ehri.  "Your tail may be unusual, as far as that kind of thing goes, but it's nevertheless true of all clothes.  The idea is to find styles you like, and then we adjust them to you."

There were a few outfits that Umuru pointed out. A pair of shorts and sleeveless top, a vaguely goth dress and a pair of jeans with belly shirt.

"We'll take all of it, then," said Ehri.  "And a phone for you, too."

"Thank you," Umuru said, giving Ehri a hug.

Ehri returned the hug.  She could get to like that.  A lot.

"Anything else you want to do?" she said.  "There's a lot of little bits of food to try, if you like."

"That sounds fun," Umuru said.

Ehri lead her to the food court, to give her a range of options.  This was really perfect for a place to take Umu, who didn't need actual good food.

Umuru decided to get a bit of everything. A burger from here, a slice of pizza from there, etc. She then sat down to happily begin to eat.

Ehri grabbed a milkshake and joined her.

"So, what do you like?" she asked.

"This burger is different than the one from the diner. It is smaller and tastes different. I really like the pizza," Umuru said. "Over all, I liked everything. This 'food court' is a great idea."

"I thought it would suit you well," said Ehri.  "Especially since you don't need the actual nutrition a lot of this food is lacking."

"Ah, I didn't know that these would classify as 'junk foods'," Umuru said.

"Borderline," said Ehri.  "A human could live on these, but it would be unhealthy in some ways.  Lacking in fiber and certain nutrients, for example, and too high in certain things.  But they do have some nutritive value."

"What about you though? How closely does your nutritional needs to humans?" Umuru asked.

"Reasonably similar," said Ehri.  "Although my system can handle levels of toxins that would kill humans."

"Naturally or is that unusual for your people?" Umuru asked.

"It's engineering," said Ehri.  "Poisons, microorganisms, nanodevices, that kind of thing could have bee used to strike against us, so we set up defenses."

"I have found that most other sapient life is much...squishier is the best word, I suppose," Umuru said.

"Well, of course," said Ehri.  "You were created to be a war machine.  You were made very, very tough."

"Yes, but I am still surprised at how different I am," Umuru said.

"You're a very artistic creation," said Ehri.  "Strong, but you pass for a beautiful girl instead of a death machine."

"I am still processing that," Umuru said. "I am a demon,"

"A very pretty one," said Ehri.  "Just the truth, there."

"I suppose I will have to take your word on it," Umuru said.

"People have been checking you out," Ehri pointed out.  "Also, you have a boyfriend and a girlfriend."

"I didn't realize appearance factored into that so much," Umuru said.

"It's not the only factor," said Ehri.  "Well, except for getting checked out.  That's basically all appearance."

"Ah, I did not notice that happening," Umuru said.

"Oh, yes," said Ehri.  "It's happening right now, in fact."

Umuru looked around.

Indeed, there were clear signs that no small number of (especially) boys had been looking in her direction.  They looked away quickly, though.

"It seems you are correct," Umuru said. "I am surprised my obvious mechanical parts don't out them off."

"They look like fashion accessories," Ehri pointed out.  "It's not like you're covered in spikes and obvious guns."

"Humans are odd," Umuru said.

Ehri shrugged.

"That's certainly true," she said.  "But there are a lot of them all around us."

"That is true, but I am used to people fleeing in fear at the sight of me," Umuru said.

"Sure, but humans don't know what you are," said Ehri.  "That matters."

"True, but I don't want to date them," Umuru said. "Besides the one I already am."

"Which won't stop them from looking," Ehri pointed out.  "They always do."

"Is there some way to signal my disinterest?" Umuru asked.

"Coldly ignore them," said Ehri.  "And perhaps show more affection to the one that you want to be with."

Umuru slid closer in to Ehri and put and arm around her.

Ehri pulled Umu in.  She might as well enjoy this...

"Well," she said.  "Should we get back and alter your clothes?"

"Yes, but I wish to walk closely with you," Umuru said.

"Of course," said Ehri.  "I'd like that."

She put her arm around Umuru's waist as they went.