Clothes were withdrawn from the chest and divvied up between them. With Théadan come to sit on the bed, it was easy enough to pass his clothing off to him as it came up. She’d stashed away the little horse figurine Théadan had given her amongst their clothing for safekeeping and Navia paused to regard it with a smile before it was also placed in her bag. Socks, underwear, her comb, it was all placed in the bag until there was little room remaining. She was opening a second of their bags to pack up the couple blankets they had left that she had stored in the bottom of the chest when she heard Théadan murmur about them almost arriving to Khlurios. She glanced up at him while fitting the first blanket into the bag, noticing his bordering shock they had finally reached another of the destinations that would eventually end with them arriving in Mandira.<br/><br/>Navia fully understood that muted surprise. It was hard to believe they’d finally reached such a monumental point for them. They had fought so hard to return to Khlurios after years worth of adventures packed into months. So many triumphs, tragedies. Yet they had remained dedicated to each other and unwilling to settle for anything less than a future together. But the question of what she had imagined she’d do once she finally returned home made her smile. There was just so much she could point toward in answer. Théadan deserved it all from her and Navia struggled with where she should begin. “When we first met, it was painful to think of everything I missed. It didn’t help that the only clothing I had with me was ruined that night, or that the Beast destroyed my jewelry. It felt like he was stripping the Khluri right from me,” Navia frowned to herself at the memory of that first night and how terrifying it had been having the telltale signs of her place in her culture ripped from her, “So it was not often that I thought about what I would do if I returned to Khlurios.”<br/><br/>With the chest emptied, Navia closed it and placed the two bags atop it. They would need to pack up their books and a few odds and ends they had out, but otherwise they were nearly ready to embark on the next leg of their journey. Théadan’s innocent question had stirred up her emotions however, and Navia felt it necessary to express to him everything she was feeling. Finding it easier to scoot over so she was kneeling before him instead of rising and joining him on the bed, Navia looked up at her lover as her hands fell to rest on his thighs. “That all changed the night in the stables when you told me your plan was to return to Khlurios with me.” It brought a smile to her lips, thinking back on how shocked she had been and how she’d nearly missed it because she had been so frustrated with their situation. He’d been so exasperated by her reaction that in hindsight, it was comical.<br/><br/>“Now everything I think of wanting to do involves you,” Navia smiled up at Théadan warmly, taking in the features of the man who filled her heart, “I’ve missed art in my life, seeing it, partaking in it. I want to go to a market with you where we can see it and be surrounded by music and food and my people. I’ve missed riding my horse along the beach in Mandira, but now I can only see myself doing it with you. I want to choose to wear Khluri dresses and see what you think of them. I want to feed you all my favorite dishes. And through every moment of it all, I will thank the gods for gifting me a man who cares so much that he would risk everything to return me to where I belong. I will do everything I can do ensure you do not regret giving up so much for me, Théadan.” Hand reaching out to cup his neck and guide him downward, her other hand gave his thigh an affectionate squeeze as her head tipped back, her loose black hair sliding to tumble down her back. Her lips met his for a sweet kiss, one that she kept chaste so they would not lose control of themselves when they would be leaving soon. Navia pulled back then, keeping Théadan close and her eyes intent on him while she grinned up at him, “And shoes. I miss wearing my shoes. Mes’Mo’Tanian shoes are so tight and confining. My feet want to be free. I have not worn my own shoes since our first night together and I forgot them in your room."