A/N: hello! Not much going on. Writing is more time consuming than I thought. Enjoy!
Date: 8/11/11. Putting this here so you readers get an idea of how often I'm going to update. (Edited 12 Apr 2020)
Disclaimer: I love Miyazaki films, but don't own any of the characters. Wish I did!
The courtyard was buzzing with activity. She had never seen the Valley so full of people, with enough crowds to incite claustrophobia, and more streaming in from the main road. Night had fallen so the wind had turned slightly chilly, perfectly counteracting the extra body heat, while the torches and lampposts cast a warm orange glow over the area. Nausicaa gracefully ascended a set of stairs onto a platform, where Lord Yupa and a couple other prominent members of the community awaited her. The mustached man smiled warmly, asking if she was ready to start. The Princess nodded and calmly stepped forward to the edge of the platform, and all of a sudden the crowd grew eerily quiet. Nausicaa almost lost her outer mask of calmness as the dreadful feeling of nervousness resurfaced in the pit of her stomach; too many people were staring at her! However, she caught sight of a couple of her villagers, noticed many faces of kindly-looking normal people, and immediately relaxed; Teto gently nudged her cheek in reassurance.
"That's right; there's nothing to fear", she told herself. Holding her head a little higher, in a loud voice she confidently addressed the crowd, welcoming visitors from Tolmekia and Pejite alike.
The announcement was satisfactorily short and sweet and much easier than she had expected. Lord Yupa then handed her a lit torch, and she glided to the right hand side of the platform. She stopped a couple feet away from a huge bowl the size of a water basin, carved out of stone and resting upon a tall sturdy pedestal. The entire structure reached the height of her shoulder, visible to all the people. Presently she was joined by two familiar faces - Kushana and the Mayor of Pejite, each holding their own torches. The mayor gave her a warm smile and a quick wink, to which Nausicaa responded with a girlish smile. Kushana repositioned herself to be on Nausicaa's right.
"Dear girl, you've grown taller again." Kushana commented as she passed Nausicaa.
The trio majestically approached the stone bowl. It was filled halfway with oil, and in the center of the bowl stood a generous heaping of twigs. With one movement all three lifted their torches to light the Festival Torch; it was a symbolism for the harmony amongst the three kingdoms, and a commitment to maintain peace. As soon as the flames hungrily devoured the bowl, the crowds clapped and cheered, dissipating all solemnity into thin air. Within minutes tables were brought out and food was served, obviously signifying the true beginning of the Festival.
"Nausicaa!"
Nausicaa was taking a stroll through the streets of the Valley, observing the myriads of different booths and activities around her. Her dinner was remarkably entertaining with Kushana and Obaba; the two seemed to have more trouble holding a normal conversation than would a person using sign language with a blind man. She now walked arm in arm with Tersa, stretching her legs and getting some fresh air. Along the way she decided to keep an eye out for Asbel; all evening they hadn't run into each other yet. She was about to turn a corner when she heard a familiar voice: warm, low and smooth, with a carefree lilt. It was deeper than she last remembered. Wheeling around excitedly, she caught sight of Asbel making his way through the crowds towards her.
Her heart leaped. How long had it been since she last saw him? Too long obviously; four years was a long time. She hadn't realized until now just how much she had missed him. Much of him looked the same: scruffy looking hair, a firm jaw line, and deep-set dark brown eyes. However, something was different. He had lost his boyishness and had now grown taller, developed strong wide shoulders and a lean build. Nausicaa caught herself staring and quickly snapped out of it. Using a considerable amount of concentration, she worked hard to hide the slightest blush that only Tersa noticed.
"Asbel!" She smiled broadly. She had considered giving him a quick hug right there, but didn't know if the friendship was as close as it used to be. What if they found themselves to have changed greatly? She checked herself and chose to use her eyes instead to tell him how happy she was to see him.
"It's great to see you!" she beamed.
"Good to see you too! It's been a while." His eyes reflected the same joy in seeing her. Noticing Tersa, he smiled warmly at the short haired girl and looked back at Nausicaa.
"Oh of course! You two haven't met. Asbel, this is Tersa; best friend and confident though she acts like my bodyguard. Tersa this is Asbel; close friend and partner in crime from the days of the Tolmekian invasion." The two politely greeted each other.
"You finished with dinner? I'm taking a short walk around the neighborhood; you're welcome to join." Nausicaa told him.
"Yes I would love to. Could use a bit of exercise to help with the digestion." He chuckled.
The trio continued their walk around the area, enjoying the sights, smells, and sounds around them. Kids and adults alike were cheering, shouting, and laughing at jokes; Nausicaa's heart warmed to see such merriment. Meanwhile in the eating area people were getting a second round of food or trying desserts, and the men were already passing a second round of alcoholic beverages.
"Hey Princess, care to join us?" asked a group of wild looking young men, drinks sloshing around in their mugs.
"No thank you. Glad you're enjoying yourselves!" She smiled politely.
Presently they passed by a more rowdy area of the courtyard, and Nausicaa found herself being called at, waved at, and winked at. Amused, she decided to give them the benefit of doubt and credit it to the alcohol. Even Tersa began sending death glares in every direction, in case anyone decided to encroach on the Princess's personal space.
"Nausicaa, you look amazing tonight in that dress of yours!" yelled a slightly intoxicated young man in a slightly suggestive tone. Asbel raised an eyebrow; instinctively he took on a more protective stance, standing a little taller and closer to the princess.
"Thanks." She blandly replied and hurried onward. She was too surprised by the man's tone of voice to notice Asbel's change in behavior. They continued walking in silence for a couple minutes.
"I will never understand why people like to drink," Nausicaa declared flatly. "I would much rather remain in control of my mental faculties and actions."
Asbel laughed good-naturedly. Tersa's response, however, was much more down to business.
"Just use the self-defense moves I taught you," she reminded the Princess with a smirk. "That should knock some sense into them." Nausicaa chuckled and the two women exchanged knowing glances.
The next day of the Festival was just as lively; events continued with the same vigor and excitement as the day before. She had breakfast with a couple new friends, lunch with Asbel and Tersa, and dinner with Lord Yupa. Throughout the day Nausicaa desperately tried to find the chance to talk with Asbel alone. She had hoped to find time to catch up with each other on - well, everything. It was easier said than done, in light of the hundreds of people everywhere and her role as the representative hostess. At the end of the day she felt slightly disappointed. The non-stop commotion was beginning to overwhelm her, and all she wanted to do at the moment was curl up in a corner and enjoy a moment of silence to herself. She retreated to the top of a windmill overlooking the valley; up there she had more personal space than for the last 48 hours. She took a deep breath. Even the air felt cleaner.
"Nausicaa, is that you?" someone shouted from below. Her mood brightened when she peered over the edge and saw Asbel standing on ground level looking up.
"Asbel! Care to join me?" she called.
He happily answered in the affirmative and within a few minutes emerged from the hatchet on the rooftop. Once he seated himself comfortably next to Nausicaa he observed his surroundings. It was well into the evening; the sky had darkened. The valley was pitch black save for a couple torches here and there and the occasional lighted cottage. The day was drawing to a close as people headed back to their homes.
"Lovely view; is this your secret hideout?" He inquired.
"Yes. One of the very few places that I can get some peace and quiet." Nausicaa replied, then giggled. "I've even flown my glider off of here before, just for fun! Nearly crashed into that tree." She pointed toward a tall gnarled mass of foliage.
"You still fly that old thing?" He asked; the thought of her crashing into the tree played through his mind.
"Old thing? You insult my glider," she retorted playfully. "I rescued you in time only because my plane was small and agile enough to slip through the foliage of the Sea. You would have been dead by now if I found you a minute late." Asbel laughed at her sharp remarks.
"Did you summon me up here just to remind me of that incident?" He drawled. "Besides, I returned the favor when we fell through the quicksand. How else could you have sustained a 40-foot free fall, while unconscious, and still woke up with hardly a scratch?"
The memory replayed vividly in his mind; his hand contacted the fabric of her dress, giving him the incentive to lurch forward with all his might. Fingers gripped her sleeve, his arm captured her waist. Propriety was the last thing on his mind as he tightly clasped her limp frame to himself, trying his best to shield her and absorb as much as the impact as possible with his own body. The heavens were merciful enough to place a generous heap of sand about twenty-five feet below them, and he used his elbows and feet to slow their slippery descent to the bottom of the cavern. He would probably never tell her how it really happened... he worried she might slap him if she found out.
"I did wonder that... I never got to say thank you." She sighed. Silence reigned for a few minutes as the pair enjoyed the tranquility of the night, as the wind gently tugged at their clothes. Nausicaa spoke again.
"Anyways, how've you been? I've been trying to ask you that question for the last two days now."
"Oh, doing well. Pejite has been fully rebuilt for a while now; we're actually growing in terms of population and economy. What about you? Did you ever come up with a cure for the toxic spores?"
"The Valley is doing well. I did find the right formula for a cure; now I'm experimenting to find the right dosages." She was surprised he remembered that detail.
"I'm sure you'll figure it out, being the meticulous person you are. Your father would be proud." Though he couldn't see it, she blushed at his compliment.
They continued to talk about anything and everything: life at home, special adventures, strange encounters with insects, and the Sea of Corruption. The ancient spark of friendship between them had never really distinguished; now it had been restoked into a strong flame. True, they had both changed slightly and grown in maturity, but they understood each other on many levels and enjoyed each other's sense of humor. Two hours slipped away before their eyes, and gradually the exhaustion from the day began to overtake them. Together they descended the windmill, leaving their private rooftop world, and once again found themselves standing on the grassy path.
"Thanks for chatting. It's been a long time since we did this." Nausicaa earnestly told Asbel.
"Agreed. Perhaps we should chat more often than every four years." Asbel responded.
"That would be nice. Otherwise I'll chase you down in Pejite if you dare ignore me." She replied with an impish smile.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
They separated ways. Upon returning to their own homes, they noticed a deep feeling of contentment settling over them. It had turned out to be a good day after all. Sleep easily claimed them as both slept soundly through the night.
