[He manages not to snort with amusement at her word choice, instead ducking another bite-attempt from the giraffe to fall into step beside her.]

I appreciate that.

[He grabs a stick off the ground and holds it behind him to give the creature something else to focus on instead of making another go for his hair.]

I simply don't have the resources to properly care for such a creature in the modest rooms of the Merlaut, after all. It's cramped enough with two people in one room as it is.