No reaction came in response to her newest attempt at toying with him, but Navia had come to expect a more delayed reaction from Théadan. He often did not give her the pleasure of an immediate response, knowing that was what she was trying to get from her, and would instead wait to take advantage of a moment where he could retaliate. Navia figured Théadan would do so again, so she waited patiently, smiling angelically back at him while he decided what he’d like to do first once they reached the beach. The mention of the jungle being humid and stuff caused Navia to glance around as if she’d really see heat and moisture rising from the lush plants surrounding them, but her gaze soon returned to study what he was wearing. The trousers were likely not the coolest clothing, but the shirt was light and loose, possibly giving Théadan some relief from the heat.<br/><br/>She liked the way his arms looked in the shirt too, she decided, her head cocking to the side a little while she studied them, the basket swinging absently at her side. The shirt revealed his muscled arms nicely and if he spent a few more days out in the sun, he’d be tanned and all the more appealing. Navia was preparing to reach out and touch his arm, just so she could enjoy having his skin beneath her fingertips, when Théadan broke the silence she had been too distracted to notice. “What?” Navia asked blankly at first, having to play back what Théadan asked her to know how to answer him. A chuckle escaped her before she could remember she was acting as though it was completely natural to hitting the basket up against Théadan’s thigh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, my arms aren’t tired at all,” Navia answered primly, shrugged…and promptly gave his thigh a light smack again with the basket.<br/><br/>“Oh, look! I think we’ve reached the beach,” Navia announced before Théadan could do anything about her teasing, her free hand lifting to point how they had curved some and the trail was coming to a complete end not far ahead, giving way to a vast blue in the distance. She gave him a brief, victorious smirk that it appeared she would get away with her actions, then hurried her step so she could see the beach sooner. Much like the coastline they had passed on their way to Balaja, the jungle ended abruptly into a rocky cliff that towered over a beach several meters below. It was small, much like the one they had seen while waiting for the port to become visible, and curved with the small cove. The waves were calm, lapping at the shore lazily, and it was clear the tide was out from the wide stretch of beach visible. Sandy and pale, it was untouched by other people, but the occasional gull and shorebird could be seen nosing around the sand for a meal.<br/><br/>The breeze was more apparent once they reached the edge of the jungle, as was the salty smell on the air. Navia took a deep breath of it, then sighed her pleasure while her dark eyes took in the bright blue of the sky and the fluffy white clouds passing overhead. The water below was nearly as pale blue and clear enough that they could see out into the deeper water and the dark shadows of the reefs on the ocean floor. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She asked with a pleased sigh, glancing over at Théadan before her gaze returned to beach, “It’s just like I remember.” Quiet, private, a tiny sliver of paradise she had thought of as only her mother’s and hers when she was a child. Now it could be Théadan’s and hers and it would be just as special. It was important to her that she share it with him, this place that gave her some connection to the mother she’d lost at such a young age.<br/><br/>A quick turn to the left revealed how they would reach the beach from the high point they stood upon. Long ago, when the Khluri had first discovered the beach, someone had taken the time to carve steps out of stone that led down to the little inlet. They were weathered and rough, tan in color like the rest of the cliffs that surrounded the cove, and mismatched in height. “Be careful going down, okay?” Navia warned, glancing back at Théadan while she led the way toward the stairs, “The stairs are uneven, so you have to watch and make sure you don’t misstep going down.” There was a rope that had been bolted to the wall of the cliff in several places to hold onto while descending, a feature that was new to Navia and very much so appreciated. She paused before going down though, turning back to Théadan with a grin as if she wanted a kiss before they made their way down to the ocean. Then she very deliberately and very obviously bumped the basket up against his thigh before laughing evilly and quickly escaping to the stairs, figuring he wouldn’t dare try to get back at her while they descended the precarious steps.