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Lately Sariza's time had become a precious commodity. Between wedding plans with her betrothed and a recent promotion the Oban woman found herself stretched thin. At the end of every event someone was there to direct her to the next, or sometimes in the middle of said event, leaving her with no room for error. If she so much as took too much time to eat a meal or talk to someone then she would be behind for the entire day which reflected poorly on her.

As she'd been told multiple times before marrying into nobility meant there were certain concessions she needed to make. Every move she made was watched and now that she'd also become a Calvary Captain in the military she'd only painted the target brighter on her back. What she needed was an escape; just an afternoon that was hers.

So, after morning training with her unit had ended Sariza simply left. She made excuses saying she was going to visit with Faisal, had even sent him a note so he wouldn't worry, but took the time for herself. There was no way she would be able to leave the city, but that the very least she could take a nice walk with her duruf Mari.

Mari walked along in front of Sariza with series of grunts, wheezes, and snorts. His stubby little legs clipped along on the uneven stone street, causing his mane to bob along as he walked and his wheezing to be more evident. Sariza often worried what the point in breeding such creatures was. He seemed to have so many issues just breathing that she wondered if it was cruelty just by existing.

Still, he seemed happy enough on their evening walk. Everytime they would pass by someone he would momentarily get a little closer until Sariza pulled on the lead a little to get him back on track. The one time she was too wrapped up in her own thoughts to do so he got a little further away from her, right up to a lovely looking Oban woman and promptly stuck his snotty snout on her leg.

The hair on the back of Sariza's neck stood on end. When she turned she expected to see something evil and not...Mari making a mess of things! It was just in time for her to see the woman pulling away from him in a burst of fear and the Oban instantly reacted. She tugged back on his lead, much to his displeasure and scooped up the overweight duruf when he was close enough. To his credit the creature simply went limp as soon as he was lifted, content with being held so he could focus on his snotty breathing.

"I am so sorry." Nerad preserve me. "I looked away for a second and he just...Umm, here." Sariza dug around in a bag that hung from her hip and pulled out a fresh, clean cloth. "I'm not sure if he touched you or not, but you might...want to wipe off your leg..."

"You're very gracious." Sariza offered a smile and ran her hands over Mari's mane. He leaned into the petting, giving a half hearted snort before relaxing. "It's alright, really; I would have panicked too if I thought it were a snake." In all honesty Sariza probably would have said a variety of very unsavory things. She wasn't one for vulgar language, but if a keldari had gotten that close...

"Ah, I call him Mari. I found him wandering around Sulburi a few years ago and when I couldn't find his owner I took him in." It was obvious enough that he wasn't a local breed, but the desert air didn't seem to harm him.

Instead of simply shaking his tail, Mari shook his entire rump and his hip kept bumping against Sariza's arm. The other woman's attention seemed to please him since his wheezing intensified and a little bit of snot slipped down his happy little nose. Thankfully his owner was only too quick to clean it up.

"I've never had a pet before so I took it as a sign." Admittedly, it was a very strange one, but messages from the Gods were often the hardest to interpret. Smiling a little softer, Sariza crouched to sit Mari down on the ground once again, but this time she kept a firmer hold on his leash so he wouldn't get too close to Kalliope.

"Ah, no? I don't think he does. He's not much of a jumper and I don't think he's smart enough for any sort of seeking."

"I can't say I would be as agreeable if Mari were a keldari." While she was far from a delicate woman Sariza couldn't say she would be happy to have one of those beasts slithering after her. She'd seen many of her soldiers with them as familiars, but more often than not they spooked the mounts in their unit so they were kept away.

"I've heard of soldiers getting over their fears by being directly exposed to them so maybe that's it?" She frowned when Mari let out a loud, gurgling sneeze and when she looked down he looked almost cross eyed. Ah, yes, a perfect creature for a noble's fiance.

"Perhaps...If I can find the right trainer. The sorts of training I know are made for creatures five times his size. I don't have much experience with pets. You wouldn't happen to know anyone, would you?"

"Oh no, that's plenty of help." A shop at the end of the main market road? Sariza may have passed it a time or two in her patrols, but she didn't remember ever stopping by. Maybe after this she could stop by to pick up a few supplies for Mari and ask about training? It would be a good start, at least.

"I have to ask, though; do keldari make good pets? They don't seem as personable as duraf's and perzi." The smaller animals in question would often seek out their master's for treats and affection. Sariza just couldn't imagine a keldari doing the same.

"So you're a mother?" It wasn't a hard thing to imagine, honestly. With as patient as the other Oban was being Sariza could easily picture her with a little one or two. "It's a little odd imagining a keldari as a family protector, but It's a nice thought. I think it's sweet that she took to your kids like that."

Imaging Mari around little ones wasn't hard. He may have been terribly dim witted, but he was a sweet thing. The other creatures of the estate, however...Any future children of hers wouldn't be allowed near them.