Just as she thought he would do, Théadan vetoed her suggestion she could try acupuncture on him to help him relax. She wasn’t at all surprised to hear him point out she didn’t know how, but Navia shrugged anyhow. “It’s not like they’d be doing much different,” she began to point out, only to pause when Théadan came closer to point out she had to find another way to help him. It made her grin up at him while thoughts of everything she could do to do just that floated through her mind. “It would be my pleasure,” she answered honestly, thinking of the conversation they had had earlier on the ship about missing each other.<br/><br/>There was no use elaborating though, or getting into anything that might distract them from the rest of the time they had in the market. And soon enough the busy atmosphere had caught one of their attentions all over again. Théadan was pausing to look at a display with several people crowded around it and at first Navia was too short to see what had caught his eye. A hand on his upper arm to stabilize her and the rise onto her toes told her though. He had caught onto several artistically designed swords. Navia pursed her lips briefly, not having much interest in any weaponry given her recently forged past, but Théadan was soon giving her an out to go find something of her own interest. “Not at all,” she smiled up at him, pressing a brief kiss to his cheek, “Take your time, I’ll wander right around here.” And she wouldn’t even go far. She didn’t want him to worry so he could enjoy browsing.<br/><br/>Navia took a few steps back from the table garnering so much attention and only had to take a glance across the aisle to find where she wanted to go next. The table was small, but the contents sitting atop it were as well, so it was fitting. Dozens of small glass bottles with corks were arranged with handwritten signs in front of each type. Names like<i>Lavender, Argan, Rose, Plumeria.</i>Standing behind the table and reading a book was a middle-aged, dark-skinned woman Navia immediately recognized as Khluri. Idea forming in her mind immediately, Navia was already reaching into her pocket for coins when she reached the table. It took only a few minutes of small talk with the woman and discussing where they each had resided in Khlurios before Navia was taking whiffs of different bottles to try to choose one. It took some time, but the rose one smelled the prettiest to her and she was soon exchanging coins for a bottle so she could slip it into her cloak pocket.<br/><br/>Happy with her purchase and ready to return to Théadan’s side, Navia had begun to do just that, only to come face to face with a tower of a man who looked down at her curiously. He was slender, his skin nearly as dark as her hair, and gold rings covered much of the curves and lobes of his ears. He was dressed for winter, but she could see several gold chains under the neck of his shirt and at his wrists. The man offered her a bright smile after his gaze ran down the length of her and her own expression began to sour. She did not like the way he seemed to be appraising her. “Another western sister!” He announced, giving the woman she’d just bought the bottle from a cheerful wave. Navia’s gaze shot over and she watched the other woman give an unenthused wave, as if she’d heard such a story before.<br/><br/>“Come, come,” he encouraged, arm warmly wrapping around Navia’s shoulders to guide her toward a booth a few paces down from the one Théadan stood at. Navia glanced back at him with a small frown, but the man was also speaking quickly and dividing her attention, “I must show you what was delivered to us today, Sister. We have only the best for our Khluri neighbors.” Another man stood at the other side of the table they had set up, dressed similarly to the first man, but where the first man was bald, he had a mass of tight, tiny curls around his head. The second man was also filled with gold jewelry and a fake smile.<br/><br/>It was then Navia recognized the accent and the characteristic deeply hued skin and height of Irados. Was this not exactly what Risho had warned them of? Navia took another nervous glance back at Théadan, “I think it would be best if I return—“<br/><br/>“You<i>must</i>see what I have for you! Such a beautiful woman surely needs an equally striking companion, don’t you think?” He stopped them directly in front of the table and the second man turned to pick up something, leaving Navia to shake her head and her temper to catch hold. No one could tell her what she needed to see or not see, especially someone who could potentially be out to kidnap her.<br/><br/>“I said, I want to return to—“ She spat at the man, only to fall silent when the second man handled the first a golden ball of fluff that was passed off and thrust against her chest. Navia had no choice but to take hold or drop the creature, suddenly a pair of sleepy, large brown eyes were blinking up at her, and she felt her heart tug hard. “Oh…” But the little golden ears with the black markings on the backs, tiny patches of black mixed in with the tawny fur atop its head. It was warm and soft and just so easy to cuddle up in her arms.<br/><br/>“Have you ever seen a lion, Sister? You Khluri take all your pride and give it to the tiger. Irados feels the same about her lions and here you have one all for your own.”