Both Belias and Nisha start at the hiss of steam, momentarily alike in how they expressed their surprise with round eyes and stiff spines. Some people said owners were often reflected in their pets, and that was certainly true of the king and his dog. If he had dog ears, they'd probably perk up just like Nisha's, too. He tamped down his surprise and smoothed a hand over Nisha's fur, coaxing the mastiff to calm down.

But to that end... "You seem to be quite at ease with it all even so," he said, his voice idle but purposeful. "May I ask - how long have you had... should I call it 'armor'? I wouldn't want to be crude or disrespectful to you, Sir Shimada."