Hi. I'm back. Thank you so much for coming to read this, and I hope this page finds you safe at home, and sheltering in place. It's ironic that Nausicaa's world with toxic spores and necessary use of masks is eerily similar to our world today... COVID halted my life, so you will see that I've kept myself busy during quarantine - I basically reworded Chapters 1-18 to be less cringeworthy, and made edits to the plot to be more convincing. (Though I have yet to comb through ch 19-25, I'll be doing that gradually.)

If you followed this story and forgot it even existed haha, thanks for bothering to come back. Hope this piece of fiction will give you a momentary mental break from these difficult times.

...I reread my old writings and nearly died in shock... my old self did not know a thing about budding romances...I cannot believe you original readers reacted so positively to that clumsy mess. I am indebted to you for still cheering me on all these years and I hope to be even better now.

Date: April 25, 2020


Ch 26: Kissed by the wind

Nausicaa stepped back several feet to admire what resulted from three hours of careful planning and hard work. Pristine water trickled through her newly-installed water irrigation system: petrified wood channels, lined with golden sand from the underground cavern. The two of them had decided renovate her lab space underneath the Sea of Decay, while waiting for the acid rainstorm to subside.

"This looks incredible." She declared happily, "I definitely could not have done this without you." The plants had been growing so well over the last month, she contemplated how she might organize the various spores and flora, all while optimizing distance to nutrients. Additional streams of water would allow her to place plants further inland from the shore bank, as well as compartmentalize her specimens into categories.

"Oh, I just helped a little." He shrugged modestly, but Nausicaa shook her head. This completely exceeded her expectations.

"Mmm - this still looks so much better than what I could have accomplished alone."

"Two heads are better than one." he remarked, with an ever so slightly smug expression that tugged the corners of his lips.

"Quite right." She admitted pensively.

While she had always been the one to lead projects and come up with new ideas, Asbel had a knack for turning the concepts into reality: since childhood he was skilled with his hands and built everything from airships to items for daily use. Without fail, he carried a toolbox of screwdrivers, pliers, saws, and wrenches. It only took some time to understand the workspace she had envisioned and he quickly got to work utilizing the materials already present in the underground cave. Petrified wood was hollowed out, then placed under one of the cascading brooks further upstream, diverting the clear water into her plant nursery. If he had known he would be here building things while waiting for the weather to clear up, he would have brought the rest of his tools...

There's always a next time, he told himself. Now that Nausicaa had agreed to teach Asbel about her scientific projects, he would most likely be down here quite often in the future.


Half an hour later the couple found themselves seated on the floor, side by side in front of a small fire. Both of them felt the tranquility of the night pervading the atmosphere as they wrapped up their eventful day with a warm cup of tea. Nausicaa's thoughts wandered again to the predicament of her independent soul feeling stifled by Asbel's concern for her. While he had asked about her work affairs several days ago out of genuine goodwill, she had snapped in annoyance at him for prying into her business. She felt relieved that Asbel clearly didn't hold it against her, having still followed her straight into an acid rainstorm... However, the matter had not been completely settled in her heart, and she felt she had more explaining to do.

"Asbel?" She piped up, her voice gently echoing through the glassy trees.

"Hmm?" He replied with a smooth lilt. The man looked directly at her and noticed the lady was staring down and fiddling with her mug, which still contained a half-cup of steaming brown liquid.

"Sorry for being annoyed at you earlier in the week." She started carefully. "I don't always show it, but I'm always grateful you are by my side."

"I know," he reassured her. "It's alright." How could anyone stay upset at the girl and that sweet voice of hers? It was true that he was confused initially by her actions, but later realized her point of view. His persistent inquiries, no matter how well intentioned, had disturbed her from her normal routine.

"It's not that I don't want you around..." She continued a little anxiously, like a child that felt obligated to explain questionable behavior. "I'm just still not used to sharing my plans. I've always decided what to do and when to do it, all on my own."

Visions of her unstoppable willpower flashed through her mind: ordering gunships to go full throttle, launching her glider against everyone's objections, running past gunshots into flames... in all these circumstances she acted without thinking twice, and acted alone. Asbel's warm, lulling voice called her out of her thoughts; it was his turn to explain himself.

"I understand. Look Nausicaa, I'm not expecting to do everything with you, every second of the day. I just want to be near you, in case you run into problems and need an extra hand." The man leaned forward slightly until he could see her face in order to gauge her reaction. The woman felt his gaze on her and turned to meet it; innocent, uncertain dark brown eyes ran into astute, mesmerizing hazel.

"Fair point; if you hadn't come after me today I would have been in much more trouble..." she sighed contemplatively.

"So don't feel annoyed, please." He implored earnestly. "I ask what you're up to and follow along because I care. Your life is too precious; I feel like I have to protect you." A wry smile touched her lips at his last statement.

"You really don't have to," She replied firmly, although her heart softened at his words. "I'm way too free-spirited, and probably the most frustrating person to protect." She knew she lived a life of many risks but never wished to jeopardize other's. Her safety and survival had always been and should forever remain her own responsibility.

"But I have to," he murmured, affectionately bringing a hand to her face. His fingertips barely grazed her skin while his eyes, now alight with devotion, pinned her down and observed her closely.

"You're so tiny, like a sparrow, no armor or weapon on your glider, but you've got the fighting spirit of a lion. Nothing ever stops you; that is all the more reason to keep an eye on you." A gentle smile graced his features; Nausicaa was too absorbed gazing into his expressive eyes to notice.

"Your free-spiritedness has never bothered me," he coaxed. "In fact it's one of the reasons I chose to love you. But you have to allow me to help you." He noticed a number of conflicting emotions flash across her eyes: surprise, gratitude, admiration, and growing concern for the potential implications of his determination.

"Don't; it's dangerous." she breathed, her eyes holding a tint of melancholy. Her life had always been surrounded by peril and visitations by death, and the last thing she wanted was to involve him. The man chuckled lightly though the amusement never touched his eyes.

"Danger never stopped you; why should it stop me." He challenged; Nausicaa could not think of a response. For twenty years she had been fighting this ongoing battle called life by herself, without an equal or a counterpart to lean on. The idea of sharing her fate with someone scared her. He seemed to have sensed her hesitation, for he continued as persuasively as possible.

"Don't be alone anymore; please." His voice pleaded with a little more urgency this time, begging her to listen. "You've been lonely for so long; don't continue carrying the weight of this world by yourself."

His last sentence was the final push needed for her walls to crumble. For her entire life she had been a steely independent fortress, an impenetrable wall, a lone eagle flying in the wind. How was he so perceptive? Despite her warm and accepting exterior, she had an entire inner world that was deeply hidden and closed off. A dark place that she never spoke of, where she shouldered the burdens of the earth, heard the cries of a thousand voices, and hid knowledge that few could understand. She had always taken the most difficult roles with silent strength and never needed help nor wanted to burden anyone with such a request.

She heaved a long, weary sigh, as tears rolled silently down her cheek, much to Asbel's surprise. The walls had been broken down, revealing a tired soul that ached for the dark world she lived in. At long last, perhaps she had found her sheltering place. Asbel stared at his beautiful, strong princess, so vulnerable that his heart ached to hold her. Without a second thought he brought an arm around her and pulled her into his chest. She welcomed the contact and leaned into him gratefully.

"Promise me that you'll ask for help when you think you might need it. Let me be next to you." He soothed. Silently she nodded, her face still buried in the crook of his neck.

"Thank you," she sighed, causing him to hold her more tightly.

They ended up falling asleep in front of the fire, lulled by the white noise of crackling wood.


The next morning Nausicaa awoke with a gentle stretch and lazily opened her eyes to see Asbel still deeply asleep. They had instinctively turned towards each other overnight, until their legs were intertwined and he had draped one possessive arm loosely over her waist. She smiled to herself and observed him carefully, from the hopelessly messy hair, to his slight pout as he slept, to the heave of his shoulders with every tranquil breath.

He had managed to say all the right things last night for her to open up her soul entirely to him. She already loved him with her entire existence, and she didn't think it was possible to love him even more than that. After some contemplation she realized: it was one thing to give love - which she always did easily, and another thing entirely to love enough to share the burdens and blessings, joys and sorrows of life. Maybe he didn't even do it intentionally, but his words last night essentially reaffirmed his commitment to a life with her.

Just thinking about it reminded her about one thing, tugging in the back of her mind for weeks. Her days had been busy, her life so hectic that she hadn't thought about it recently. But seeing how things had developed, there was no reason to hesitate on account of waiting for the right timing.

She scooted a little closer to him and draped an arm over his side as well. The man stirred and drowsily slid open his eyes for a short moment before continuing to snooze. Nausicaa couldn't help feeling a little amorous, and leaned in to delicately press her lips against his, which elicited a sleepy grunt from him. She smiled against his lips as she felt him wake up to her kiss. When she pulled away he wore a lazy smile.

"Morning." He mumbled a little throatily.

She almost forgot to reply; for as soon as hazel eyes fluttered open she simply stared at him, a little dreamily.

"What is it?" He inquired. The expression on her face told him that she was mulling over something.

Tenderly she reached out a hand to caress his cheek. The air around them seemed to turn enchanted, as they held each other's gaze.

"Marry me." She whispered, something between a question and a plea. The man was rendered speechless and very awake at the abruptness of her question. Whatever grogginess that remained in his head instantly vanquished into thin air, as he drew away slightly and gave her a curious glance. Presently the corners of his lip curled upward in a smug smile.

"I thought the guys were supposed to ask that?" He drawled.

"I honestly couldn't care less." She declared plainly.

"Does this have anything to do with last night?" He inquired out of curiosity.

"Maybe..."

"Yes." He whispered. Her eyes widened in surprise when she realized he had just answered her. She didn't even have to get on one knee, make a fancy speech as to why he should marry her?

"Really?" She confirmed.

"You really think I would say no?" He retorted.

Dark brown eyes twinkled by way of a smile, and she leaned a second time in to kiss him, this time with such tenderness that he felt his insides churn and his heart nearly burst. When she pulled away, his eyes held a glimmer reminiscent of warm embers.

"Actually," He began, "I was planning to ask you once we got back." Nausicaa raised her eyebrows in pleasant surprise. This seemed to happen frequently to them: separately coming up with the same ideas at around the same time.

"Seems like you were more in a hurry than I was." He remarked, and the woman nodded. Too much in a hurry in fact.

"How about when we get home? I officiate all the formal proceedings anyway-" But he shook his head.

"I want to do this properly; you of all people know that formalities exist for a reason." He intended to officially ask her next of kin, which would probably be Lord Yupa, and likely Mito as well. The patch-eyed uncle might hold a grudge if he didn't formally ask him too.

"Fine," she sighed. Perhaps the idea of officially being tied to someone was intimidating, and although his mother had given approval and they both knew they'd eventually reach this stage, they were not in a hurry to be wed... she supposed she could wait a little longer.

Presently she sat up, wanting to check the state of the rainstorm. When she tried to rise off the ground, Asbel's arm held her back.

"What is it?" She inquired, the question evident in her eyes. Hazel eyes danced in mischief.

"I can't let you steal all my thunder." He replied with a smirk, then he repositioned himself until he was on one knee. Nausicaa laughed heartily; he wasn't going to let her go until he had proposed to her as well. She remained at his eye level and with much anticipation gave him her full attention.

After gathering his thoughts the man exhaled deeply and looked at her with a serious expression.

"Nausicaa: you know that I love you. With all of my being, beyond what words can express. I love you for your warmth, your purity, your strength - your heart and your soul, in all its brilliance. I love you for all those reasons and more..."

He had originally planned out everything he was going to say, but his mind had gone blank and now he was just improvising with his heart.

"I cannot imagine a life without you. I moved to the Valley to be near you, and even then it wasn't enough. I want to wake up and fall asleep next to you, be with you in your best and your worst moments. I want you as mine and mine alone." With a somewhat shy smile, he gazed into her eyes, sincerity pouring out of his hazel depths.

"So I'm asking you to marry me... If you'll have this blundering fool, who's madly in love with you and can't be apart from you. I promise to cherish you, protect you, and support you, for as long as there's breath in my lungs."

The woman simply gazed at him for a moment, her eyes brimming with affection.

"Maybe I'll show you my answer." She replied huskily, with a smile. Without another word she leaned in and placed her lips against his, softly at first. She bent his head back against her hand, while the other hand rested on his chest, and she poured out her heart's response into him. It was not a fiery embrace burning with desire, but one of quiet intensity and deep affection - almost sacred and devout, like a maiden in a church. Her mouth caressed his lips gently, and she approached him like the wind itself, timeless and assured. Then the kiss grew in passion; her lips coaxed him until his mouth parted slightly and Asbel softly moaned into her. He drank the kiss in absolute delight: both the sweet taste of her and the sensation of her honey-soft lips he could drink for eternity, while his body melted under the delicate touch of her fingers on his chest and neck. The way she leaned into him communicated how greatly she adored him and needed nothing else in this world except for him. Eventually she drew away, slightly breathless, and touched her forehead to his.

"Do you feel it?" She whispered, her breath caressing his cheek. "I'd die without you." She pulled away and watched him nod in response, his eyes filled with understanding and exhilaration.

"There isn't a single person on this earth I would rather spend my time with. I love you and only you." She struggled to find the right words but her passion was rising within her. Involuntarily her hands began to rub the front of his chest and the nape of his neck, as the warmth of his body radiated through her palms and fueled her. The man lay frozen under her touch, every muscle in his body tense and his eyes fixated on her in wonder.

"I'll have you entirely - your heart and your soul, the best and the worst hiding in the deepest parts of you." As she expressed her love for him and maintained physical contact, her mind naturally turned to desire, and she found herself clutching at the fabric of his shirt. Asbel's heart raced but he was immobilized by his lover's disarming honesty.

"I want you physically." She admitted shyly in a softer breath, which intensified the earnestness. "I want you as mine to care for and to support. And in return you have all of me, my complete devotion. I promise to be yours for the rest of my life, and to never leave your side." When she was finished, she pulled away slightly and cupped his face in her hands.

"How's that for an answer?" She breathed.

"Wow." He murmured, when he could find no other words. "I was not expecting that." The girl chuckled in self-satisfaction.

The couple continued their day in immeasurable joy; not even a whole week of acid rainstorms could dampen their spirits when they had promised eternity with each other.


The people of the Valley continued to thrive: villagers continued their daily routines, Obaba repeatedly recounted ancient tales and prophecies to the children, and Yupa traveled to unknown places from time to time. Kitson lived with Tersa, and Tersa continued to spend time with Jarel. It would be one fine spring day when the stars would finally align for these two.

"This tastes familiar, for some reason," Jarel mumbled to himself, as he sat on the grass. He glanced down at the lunchbox on his lap; rice, vegetables, and meat were laid out perfectly in the bowl, not too heavily seasoned.

The sounds of clinking metal and a crackling fire floated out of a stone hut behind him. He had just finished another workshop on blacksmithing and was currently eating a modest lunch provided by Tersa. The breeze ran playfully through the grass while the man ate contentedly. The two had grown closer to each other (much to Nausicaa's delight), although Jarel still found her a little intimidating and broodingly quiet from time to time.

"How's the food?" A calm female voice floated towards him from inside the workshop.

"Tastes good, thank you!" Jarel returned. Presently the short haired girl emerged and sat down on the grass a couple feet away from him with a similar tray of food.

Over lunch, they chatted sporadically about things to do, now that the weather was warming up. Then without any warning, a bewildering thought struck him. A vivid, poignant memory from his teenage years resurfaced in his mind, stunning him like a shock of static electricity. Utter confusion clouded his thoughts and he spoke up, slowly.

"Tersa, can I tell you something?"

"Sure..."

"You know my mother passed away when I was fifteen."

"Yes, I remember." The girl replied sympathetically.

"For a month after she passed away, when my father was in too much grief to take care of us, someone kept leaving us lunches at my door." Tersa froze for a split second, then continued eating.

"Oh." Was all she could say, after a short silence. The man sent her a sidelong glance, then continued his narrative.

"I asked all my friends; no one had a clue who it was. Then every year after that, on the anniversary of her death, a bouquet of hydrangeas would appear on the front porch. My mother's favorite flowers... I thought perhaps it was a sign from her... or that someone was watching over me." His eyes grew wistful, staring into the distance.

"Hmm... whoever it was, that was nice of them," Tersa commented casually.

"If I were given one chance to ask the gods anything; I would ask to know who it was." He looked down at the food before him, still lost and thought, like he was trying to regain a lost memory.

I could've sworn it looked just like this, the voice in his head told him.

"Why are you telling me?" She prodded out of curiosity.

"Because the food looked very similar to what you gave me today." The man turned and regarded her suspiciously. The woman continued to face forward but could practically feel his piercing gaze. Although she was panicking internally, she hid her emotions exceptionally well.

"Really? That's interesting." She chuckled.

"I know right," he uttered a single pitiful snort. "Strange that it reminded me." An uncomfortable silence ensued and she felt pressured to break it.

"What would you do if you found out?" She asked gently, in an attempt to guide the conversation.

"I would thank them," He sighed. "They saved my life, in a way." A nearly imperceptible smile flickered across her lips, but he did not notice it.

"I'm sure they know." He raised an eyebrow at her statement.

"Tersa." Jarel stared at her seriously.

"Hmm?" She responded nonchalantly; he noticed that she still refused to look directly at him. He was getting more and more suspicious by the second... did she know something?

"Tersa." He demanded with a heavier tone, insistent on finding the truth. Normally he couldn't read her any better than he could a brick wall, but he was certain he saw her expression falter for a split second.

"Could it possibly have been...no. Was it you?" He breathed. She appeared a little nervous; almost indecisive. He scooted near her and gently tugged her arm, turning her to face him. Vulnerable, unsure eyes lifted to meet Jarel's, accompanied by only silence.

"It was, wasn't it? I'm not making this up right? Please, tell me honestly." Blue eyes intensely searched hers. She considered lying again so she wouldn't be found out; but when she gazed into his desperate eyes, her heart gave way and she couldn't bring herself to deceive him any longer.

She simply nodded, almost in a motherly fashion, unable to utter any syllables.

"What in the Wind... I finally found you." He sighed in relief.

A huge wave self-conscious rushed over her, causing her to laugh nervously and look away. The man continued to stare at her, his frazzled mind still processing the situation.

"What motivated you to do it? For a whole month?"

"It was hard seeing you in pain." She confessed.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Didn't need to. I was happy enough to see it help you."

"But why?" He pressed; she did not answer.

Presently another electrifying realization dawned upon him. Nausicaa had hinted it to him once; he was an idiot for not figuring this out sooner. Then again, who could have known? The girl was reserved to the point of being stifling, quieter than a black cat in the dead of night, whose thoughts he could never read despite having spent years with her and Nausicaa as a happy trio. She had been watching him all these years. He didn't know whether to be relieved, thrilled, or embarrassed.

"You really, did care... do care..." He trailed off; Tersa remained silent but her back stiffened; he noticed her fingers curled nervously .

"Is it not true?" He gently prodded, almost a little afraid of the answer.

"Why do you ask?" She replied nervously, eyes darting in his direction only for a brief moment.

"Because I need to hear it from you directly."

The air was suffocating with suspense, as both of them started to conjecture possibilities and the future consequences of this conversation.

"I don't know." She finally answered truthfully. "I avoided my own feelings when I found out you liked Nausicaa..." His heart stilled in his chest.

"Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"And intercept my best friend's potential suitor? Absolutely not allowed in my book." She replied firmly. The wind darted past them and sent a gossip of a rustle through leaves.

"I am an idiot." He declared apologetically.

A very big idiot. His mind echoed.

"I'm sorry. Am I too late?" As soon as those words left his lips, it occurred to him how miserable it must have been for her, unable to speak her feelings while he openly chased another. How could he possibly ask her to reopen her heart when he had been the one to crush her?

"Nevermind that," He muttered quickly to rescind his question. He glanced in her direction; Tersa still hadn't moved an inch. He felt ashamed of himself, but was awfully impressed by this woman. She had been taking care of him silently, never asking for anything in return, faithfully brought flowers every year - though the cynical half of his mind argued that the gesture was out of respect for his mother and not out of devotion to him. He rubbed his temples thinking about the complicated situation. What to do now?

"Can you still spend time with me?" He asked a little timidly. "I saw you almost every day for the last 15 years and I was only barely getting to know you." She glared at him, a little bitterly at first, but again her indecisive heart relented, seeing his apologetic expression.

I'm more pathetic than you are. Her mind wanted to tell him.

"Sorry for being slow to open up-" She drawled sarcastically but was abruptly cut off.

"No, not that," He shook his head vehemently. "I never bothered looking your way. Forgive me." She searched his eyes, carefully this time, wondering if he truly meant that. Dark brown eyes stared straight into light blue eyes and registered sincerity, regret, concern, nervousness, and perhaps a tint of wonder, all crashing into each other, like waves in a restless ocean.

"It's not your fault." She finally uttered calmly. He blinked, surprised for the umpteenth time today and at a loss for words. Despite being sidelined for the past 15 years, she never held it against him. He marveled at the gracious heart within her.

"Thank you." He whispered, almost a little contritely.

"For what?" She inquired.

"For giving it a chance."

He didn't love her yet; but he deeply admired and respected her for quietly by staying beside him all these years... and that was a start.


AN: This would be the seventh version of the proposal I wrote...whew. Sorry it took me a while but I absolutely needed to get this chapter right. In the end Nausicaa had to ask the question... she was too strong a character not to ask first.

Thanks so much for reading... please stay safe everyone!