Even though Qadir had just spent what felt like weeks swimming to get to these islands, he happily dove back into the ocean once Selenium agreed to show him the way to Salem. Unfortunately, his aging joints struggled to keep up with her. Eventually he stopped keeping count of the times he lost sight of her dark head in the waves, only to spot it again mere seconds later. He knew she wouldn't leave him behind, but his heart jumped in his chest every time his eyes struggled to find her. He didn't realize how afraid he was of losing his first friend on these islands.

The dark giant sighed happily once they reached the beach, too winded to speak as he pulled himself onto dry land. The coarse sand shifted below his large hooves. He braced himself and shook out his mane, turning with a grin to Selenium to see if he had splattered her with any excess water. Well, it didn't matter much. She was just as soaked as himself. "It's beautiful," he breathed as his gaze shifted to the towering dunes. The sun beat heavily down on the mountainous piles of sand, and his heart soared at the sight. He barely noticed his grey and white companion start off after something.

He took some time to silently examine the wondrous sight. "Wow. I forgot how sparkly everything--" the stallion stopped abruptly as his head swung towards the spot Selenium had been, only to see she was trotting off somewhere and had gotten quite aways. "Hey! Wait up," he called to her. The gorgeous dunes had stirred something within him, and he felt as if he could simply unfurl his wings and fly. He didn't, of course, but he liked to think he moved faster than his typical ambling pace as he followed his ocean-marked friend.

He watched from a distance as she caught up to a tiny mare, and lengthened his stride. Hadn't she said she knew no one here? He huffed, surprised as he caught sight of a pale mare making her way towards the pair as well. Were locals always this quick to spot newcomers? Back when Qadir explored his old home's dunes with Kenchiro, they could barely concentrate on anything except exploring and trying not to get lost. He couldn't help but be impressed.

He finally caught up with the group just as the pale mare finished rebuking them. His laugh boomed across the sands. She was right, but he currently reveled in the heat. He knew as soon as his coat was fully dry he would curse the sun just as easily as he was loving it now. "Will you take us to some shade, or an oasis, then?" he asked, smiling broadly at her. She looked older than himself, but it also seemed like she was aging well while he was not. He mentally grimaced at the insult he dealt to himself.

Qadir's smile grew to a beaming grin as he turned to the grey and white mare who had brought him here. "Selenium, thank you! It's been too long since I've walked across true sand and felt heat like this. You seemed so hesitant to travel here, but I appreciate your help. How can I make it up to you? Oh, look at those ears!" The last he exclaimed as he turned his attention to the tiny mare. Abruptly he realized she might take offense and hastily continued with, "they're adorable! Have they always been that... curvy?"

He forced an awkward smile to his face, ashamed his delight of these lands had loosened his tongue so freely. He didn't know if he'd be able to befriend the locals if they thought him a rude, thoughtless dolt. The dark giant risked a glance at the pale mare, attempting to catch her reaction. Hopefully he could amend the situation before it was too late.