With Théadan going to make Varinata theirs, Navia turned to the saddle pad and saddle hanging on the fence. She put the deep purple pad into place on Vari’s back first, admiring the pretty contrast to the horse’s white coat as she did so. She spoke quietly to Vari as she added the saddle next and the horse turned her head to watch what she was doing while she worked. Navia even took a minute to check the length of the stirrups so they would be best fit to the length of her legs. The only thing Navia had enjoyed about wearing Mes’Mo’Tanian boots was the support they gave her while she was riding; khussas were not nearly as practical. She had grown up wearing them when riding however, and Navia knew as long as her feet were properly placed in the stirrups, she would have no problem.<br/><br/>She was nearly finished tacking up Vari when Théadan began to do the same with Wyndagar, so she finished up and used the time to relieve some of Wyndagar’s burden. Some of the bags were brought over and tied to Vari’s saddle instead and figuring she would probably be riding Vari more than Théadan would, Navia also moved Devam’s sword over as well. It only made sense in her mind; Wyndagar would surely prefer Théadan as his primary rider. Once she was done adding some of their belongings to Varinata’s back, Navia took a minute to scratch the horse behind the ears like she had seen Théadan do. She was smiling at the way Vari pushed closer to her touch when Théadan commented on how hungry he was. She was glad to hear they were on the same page and nodded her agreement, moving to mount her horse just as Théadan did the same.<br/><br/>It was surprising to watch Wyndagar refuse to allow Théadan onto his back and almost alarming. Navia looked on from atop Varinata’s back with wide, confused eyes, she tried to think of a reason why he would not accept a rider. “Maybe he needs more time loosening up,” Navia shrugged, figuring Wyndagar must not want a rider for a little while longer. Happy to modify their plans to fit Wyn’s little bout of obstinacy, Navia dismounted and gathered up Vari’s reins. “Let’s just walk with them until we find our lunch and eat,” she suggested, guiding Vari toward the door of the stable so they could cut through it and end up back out in the markets from whence they came, “Once we’re headed out of the city, Wyn will probably realize it’s time to ride.”<br/><br/>Finding lunch for them was not difficult. Not far from the stable was a little cart set up where a man was grilling pieces of meat on sticks over a small fire in a pot. What Navia hadn't expected was the stony expression on the Khluri man's face when she approached the cart with Théadan. His eyes had lingered on Théadan for a long beat before he had gruffly exchanged food for money. They each got a couple pieces of meat, then moved on and found a different vendor selling fresh fruit. Navia could not resist walking past without stopping for a small bag of strawberries for them to share while she walked. Eating them only made her want more, enough so that she considered turning back so they could buy another bag, but they were already nearing the outskirts of the city by the time they had finished their lunch and were taking turns drawing strawberries from the bag to eat while they walked. They had stocked up on some fruits and vegetables earlier though, so Navia knew she could have more fruit later if it still called to her the way it did right then. She had an inkling it would; her body seemed to want only fruit. She figured it had to be because she had not had so much access to fresh fruit since first leaving Khlurios with Théadan.<br/><br/>Nearly a full day's journey was ahead of them. They would likely not reach the Taluja home until dark. With the dirt road winding its way out of the city and out into the fields surrounding Balaja, Navia paused to look first at Wyndagar, then at Théadan. “Should we see how he takes to you riding him now? Are you sure you didn’t put his saddle on too tight or something?” She knew it was highly unlikely, Théadan had likely tacked up his horse dozens upon dozens of times, but Navia still bent to try to see how tight the saddle was just in case.