Ezra was quiet when Reis went down to get him out of his prison. His face was puffy, and streaked with what looked like soot. He couldn't imagine how that had occurred, and assumed it was residue left on the steel of an unused cage. Yhet had set the blanket and pillows beside the cage, but they hadn't been touched. Perhaps Ezra hadn't realized he was allowed to use them?<br/><br/>“Ezra?” Reis called to him tentatively, unlocking the door and motioning him to come the rest of the way out. He was very withdrawn, and clearly he'd been upset. Reis doubted he had gotten all that much sleep, and he tried to squash his guilt. He'd put Ezra in the cage for his own safety, since he hadn't been able to stay in his own bedroom as he'd been told to do so. With another Asha occupying his space, hopefully it would be easier.<br/><br/>“Come, we're going to get cleaned up so that we can go,” Reis told him, though he bathed separately from Ezra and didn't require any assistance. He left Ita to help get the Asha dressed in a generic tunic, something that would make him look more like a common pet, despite his uncommon looks.<br/><br/>“Tie his hair up,” he decided as well, so that his curls couldn't be made a point of conversation. He otherwise ignored Ezra's somber behavior, thinking it would pick back up again once they were outside. The carriage Reis had ordered to be prepared was completely open, meant to be light enough for a single horse to pull comfortably. There was one bench seat, and then space in the back for carrying things home. He'd allow Ezra to climb around withing reason, and to get a view of their landscape. Reis checked the harness of the stout chestnut gelding that was pulling the carriage, picking up hooves before they were on their way. He knew his staff already had, and were aware of how picky he was, but his checking was almost compulsive at that point.<br/><br/>“Climb up, Ezra,” Reis commanded, and did so after him, taking his seat on the bench to collect the driving reins. A long, thin whip was handed to him, though he set it beside him and used mainly voice command, asking the gelding to trot on. He used gee and haw for right and left, and whoa to get the big beast stopped. His directions were clear and sharp, intended to only be said once, repetition only used when circling or needing to turn especially sharp. They took paved paths, and a few of Reis' hounds accompanied them, staying close to the carriage and acting as guards. Ezra would could watch the view as the thick Belmiran forest passed them by. When they got closer to the capital city, the forests were viewer, and more humble homes were laid out. Reis had called the three dogs to sit on the back of the carriage when the streets became more crowded.<br/><br/>“Tell no one where you came from,” Reis warned before leaving the carriage at a livery, in the shade. Reis brought the horse and the dogs water. They would stay with the carriage, as they were commanded to do, and he warned the livery to just watch his equipment, but not to get too close. They started on foot after that, Reis decidedly uptight and avoiding people as best he could. They went first through the slave section, where humans were sold, though Reis wore his distaste plainly. His family had never favored slavery, and preferred to pay their staff a wage. He was much more familiar with the area where pets were sold, but he didn't imagine he'd be seeing anything that he hadn't seen before.<br/><br/>“What do you think we should look for in your companion? Any specific preferences?” Reis questioned as he led him to where some Asha were kept, tethered with a simple rope tied about their throats. They wore the same tunic, though even plainer than the one Ezra had been forced to wear.<br/><br/>“Ahh, my good Sir, what might I help you with today?” a saleman asked, smiling widely as Reis and letting his gaze slide over Ezra in appreciation. “My, he is fine,” he complimented, clearly a little surprised, but then again Reis was dressed like a man with obvious means and a pinched expression that made him assume he had picky tastes.<br/><br/>“I'd like a second.. one to match,” Reis explained, though it would hardly matter so long as it put Ezra's focus elsewhere.