Slick dark skin and lightning moves caused the sunlight to dance upon the backs of the swift dolphins before they would dip under the water and be visible just below the surface. Navia found it incredibly pleasing to watch, so much so that she did not spare Théadan a glance while he tried to make sense of why the dolphins would behave they way they did. Truthfully, it was odd, they were not gaining anything from their actions that would provide them with food or a mate. She supposed it was helping them reach a destination faster, but what destination would dolphins have? “I think they are just playing,” she answered him with a shrug before chuckling, “If you find them playful, wait until you meet Kazim’s elephants.”<br/><br/>Eventually the novelty of the dolphins began to wear off and Navia’s gaze drifted as Théadan’s arm slid around her waist. He moved in closer, which was nothing new to her and always so welcome, but it was the exhale of breath that caught her attention. Gaze lifting from the sea to roam his face, Navia took in Théadan’s expression with a critical eye as he pointed out they were almost there. Her eyes lingered on his, swept down to take in the other features of his face, then centered on the expression in his green eyes. He was nervous. Anxious. She had first thought he was merely moving closer so they could share the companionship it brought, now she wondered if it was also for comfort. It made her brow furrow that he would be nervous; was it because he feared returning to a country his had attempted to destroy? One he had had a hand in harming? She knew him though; Théadan never would have done any of it without the strong persuasion of his family. Surely that meant something; surely people would see how kind and gentle he was and not judge him for his past actions.<br/><br/>Wanting to soothe and reassure, Navia angled to face him a bit more, one hand sliding to rest in the middle of his back while the other dipped and slid beneath the hem of his shirt. Fingers light and testing at first, they brushed across his abdomen before she flattened her hand. Palm rubbing across his skin slowly in hopes her touch would calm his nerves, she looked up at him with a reassuring smile. “You are a kind, generous person,” Navia told him truthfully, “My people will see that in you. You have nothing to worry about. Everyone will know soon how<i>kamin</i>you are.” She honestly did not know how others would react, but as far as Navia was concerned, the only opinions of Théadan's other than hers that mattered were those of her family. And even then, on the slight chance they would not approve of someone as gracious as Théadan being in her life, she would always choose him just as he had chosen her.<br/><br/>Navia leaned in to rest her temple against the ball of Théadan’s shoulder then, leaning against him so they could watch the port of Balaja come into view. Ships were more concentrated there, some moored and others traveling both into and out of the port. Some were large like Risho’s others small and varying in quality. Arriving seemed to put new spirit in the<i>Uttarana’s</i>crew, for the men spoke more loudly, more excitedly, and many began dragging crates kept on the main deck toward the port side of the ship. It did not take long for Risho to expertly maneuver his ship up to one of the long piers other ships were lined up beside. He yelled out orders to his crew, men were throwing ropes to and fro, and the marina’s workers were waiting to help secure the ship to the dock. Navia was about to suggest they head down from the forecastle when Risho’s voice rang out again, “<i>Sitvati! </i>Théadan! Time for horse!”<br/><br/>Not wanting to disappoint their captain, Navia pulled back from Théadan enough to smile up at him, “Better hurry down for Wyn. I’ll be waiting so we can step foot in Khlurios together.” It was only appropriate; they did everything else together.