AN: Hi! So excited to be starting this! I'm in the middle of my other Nausicaa fanfic and needed some light-hearted short stories to balance out the dark plot I'm writing in the other one... one-shots are definitely easier to manage than a long term multi chapter fanfic.
PS I have a feeling some of my OCs from Travels of the Wind will appear in here later... so if you're bored read that too! My beginning chapters also sets up the romance between the 2, so you'll slide comfortably into this series. :) Thanks for taking the time to check this out, and hope you like it! Review are always appreciated.
When Nausicaa goes to the beach.
She didn't really know how to enjoy a beach. Grassy fields and toxic jungles she could handle... but a beach? What do you do on a beach, recreationally speaking? The last time she had visited the coast she was rescuing a distressed beetle that had lost its way and managed to terrify a crowd of beachgoers. She couldn't quite understand why you would go to the beach if there was no reason to go... so when Saturday morning Asbel announced he wanted to take a trip to the beach, she was a little surprised. He reasurred her it would be fun; Nausicaa was highly skeptical but agreed anyway. The coast only lay a couple hours east of the Valley so if they hated it, or it turned out to be stormy, Nausicaa reasoned they could always come back and still engage in other activites without wasting the day.
They arrived in the afternoon at a gorgeous beachside, under beautifully mild weather. The sun shone cheerfully but didn't scorch, while a refreshing ocean breeze tugged gently at their clothes. They sat down on the sand for no more than two seconds when Nausicaa glanced around hyperactively.
"What do we do?" She piped up.
"Do?" Asbel returned, a little perplexed.
"We're not supposed to do anything on a beach?" At this Asbel chuckled lightly.
"Must everything involve 'doing' something? Just unwind and relax, I guess." She gave him a flat look for his lame answer.
"You know that's not my forte."
"Which is exactly why I brought you here." She frowned at him but he simply turned to look at the ocean. She followed his example and they spent some time in silence.
Doing nothing turned out to be exceptionally difficult. In a meadow there were at least birds to observe, and the jungle always contained countless insects and plants. At the beach there was... Nothing. Save for a monotonous stretch of sand and water. The atmosphere was lovely of course - for the first five minutes.
She began to dig her fingers into the sand, not sure what to do with herself. Look up and stare at... ocean waves? Each was the same as the last. People? A couple young folks were running around and playing sports, but watching them would be awkward, to say the least. A seagull would have been greatly appreciated.
He looked over at her and laughed.
"You're pathetic." He commented bluntly, though mirth showed in his eyes.
"There's nothing to dooo..." She lamented. After giving her another amused look he scooted closer and stretched an arm around her.
"Don't think; let your mind wander."
"Wandering." She bleated unromantically, but Asbel shushed her. With his hand he gently nudged her head to rest against his shoulder. Physically restrained, Nausicaa used her eyes to make up for the rest of the body's inactivity... alright so the horizon was tilted now, she remarked unamusedly to herself.
"Look at the ocean." He hummed quietly. "It's 'doing' plenty, don't you think? You out of all people should be able to appreciate it." He chided. Nausicaa fell silent and reflected on his pithy philosophical comments. The waves gently lapped the shore, creating sustained sounds of rushing water.
Little by little a deep sense of peace settled over her. The previously boring landscape gradually emmitted a sense of agelessness, the repetitive waves heralded of dependability. Monotony transformed into tranquility, while the earth seemed to speak to her of its steadfastness. Sky met the ocean, waves met the shore, sand met her toes, and she met... Asbel.
From that moment on she loved the beach. And of course for a good month the entire Valley remained mystified as to where the couple would disappear to every Saturday.