Chapter 2:
"A New Emotion"
Nausicaä awoke to a loud scream of "Where the hell am I?" She threw on a robe and went to the source of the scream: her late father's quarters.
The young man looked around. He could see no familiar landmarks. A young woman in a long blue robe and long red hair walked in. "I see you're awake," the girl said. "And to answer your question, you're in the Valley of the Wind."
The woman walked in. "I am Nausicaä, Princess of the Valley. And you are?" The man thought for a moment. "Andrew Goldsmith," the man said. "Now… Nausicaä, is it?... where am I? When am I?"
Nausicaä took a deep breath. "About a thousand years before this moment, industrial civilization collapsed. The pollution caused by this collapse caused the formation of a Toxic Jungle, also known by some as the Sea of Decay. The plants contained in this jungle are so poisonous that five minutes of exposure without one of these masks—" Nausicaä pointed to her father's old breathing mask on the bedpost. "—would kill you."
Nausicaä then proceeded to tell Andrew of the events concerning the Giant Warrior, ending with the news of Asbel's death. "I'm sorry about your loss, Your Highness," Andrew said. "That's all right, Andrew," Nausicaä said. "Let me show you around."
Nausicaä began to show Andrew around the Valley, culminating back at the Palace with Nausicaä bringing Andrew to an empty room. "This will be your room until we can set up more permanent living arrangements here in the Valley," Nausicaä said. "I've had some of my father's old clothes brought down until we can get you some clothes of your own."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Andrew said. Nausicaä held up her hand. "Please. I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you call me Nausicaä," she said. "Well, then, Nausicaä, thank you for your hospitality today," Andrew said. "I'll send someone to get you for breakfast tomorrow," Nausicaä said as she left.
As Andrew walked into his room, he smiled. At first, he did not believe a word this Nausicaä said. But, after having seen the devastation firsthand, he knew that what she had said was true. Now, he had to adjust to living in a new world. A world full of new friends, enemies and adventures awaited him. But for now, he just changed into Nausicaä's father's nightclothes, got into the bunk and slept.
The next morning, Andrew woke up to hear a knocking on his door. "Who is it?" Andrew asked. "I am Mito, Princess Nausicaä's aide-de-camp. Nausicaä awaits you in the gathering room," the voice said. "Give me a few minutes," Andrew said. He got up, got dressed in a red tunic, blue pants and sandals, then followed Mito to the gathering room.
"Good morning, Andrew," Nausicaä said as Mito led Andrew into the gathering room. "Good morning to you, Nausicaä," Andrew said. "Let me introduce you to my friends and family. Mito, you know," Nausicaä said. "Next, Lord Yupa Miralda, my military commander."
"Please, just call me Lord Yupa," the man Nausicaä pointed to said. "Next," Nausicaä said, "this is Obaba, a soothsayer." Obaba was silent for a moment, then said, "I sense an aura about you, Andrew Goldsmith. Your destiny is clear. It may not be to you right now, but it will be soon."
There was a knock on the door. "Princess!" "Yes, Gol?" Nausicaä said. "A Tolmekian ship is approaching," the man known as Gol said. "I think it is Kushana's ship."
Nausicaä frowned. "What's wrong, Nausicaä?" Andrew said. "Remember the story I told you last night about the Giant Warrior?" Nausicaä asked. Andrew nodded. "Well, Kushana, leader of the Tolmekian army, may be coming here because of reports about your arrival. She may want to meet you."
"Well, Nausicaä, let's not keep Her Highness waiting," Andrew said. Mito followed Nausicaä and Andrew out of the gathering room.
In a field in the center of the Valley, a Tolmekian ship landed. A battalion of soldiers filed out of the ship, then came Kushana. "Hello again, Nausicaä," Kushana said. "And this must be the new arrival," she added, nodding towards Andrew.
"Andrew Goldsmith, at your service," Andrew said, bowing to Kushana. She smiled. "Nice to meet you," Kushana said to Andrew. "We can hold a feast for your arrival," Nausicaä said. "I can cook," Andrew said. "In fact, I can make some food that I loved in my own time."
"Your own time?" Kushana asked. "What does that mean?" "Kushana, he is from before the Seven Days of Fire," Nausicaä said. "The year 2006 A.D., to be precise." "I see," Kushana said. "Nausicaä, we must talk about a matter of the utmost importance." Andrew followed Nausicaä, Mito and Kushana back to the gathering room.
Kushana details her reasons for returning to the Valley next time.