A scream filled the silent study room and a chair flew with such speed against a wall, that it exploded into dozens of pieces. Everybody in the room was shocked and stared at the source of sudden madness. The Chief Preserver stood over her desk with wide eyes and an open mouth. It had finally happened, she had gone mad, was the thought they all shared. They all knew, that she had been depressed and moody since the human Marcus got lost on a distant world. It was an open secret. But now it seemed she had finally cracked. "Marcus." Azaa whispered.

She could feel his essence. With every moment she concentrated on it, she felt more and more assured. It was him, changed, matured, stronger but it was him! Her heart nearly exploded, she took deep breaths and it was as if she had not tasted air in years. All joy and color, that had vanished from the world returned to her in moments. Marcus quickly moved towards the city, to her!

Azaa turned and rushed through the room and through the door. She accelerated further and by the time she was outside the building she moved at dangerous speeds, jumping over buildings towards the city wall and Marcus. Nothing could stop her from reaching him as quickly as possible, with the exception of her sister Uela. Like a missile she caught Azaa mid air and brought her down to the roof of a nearby building. "Calm yourself Azaa." she shouted, but Azaa did not want to be calm, she wanted to see Marcus. "He is back, Marcus!" Azaa shouted at her and tried to get free, but her sister was physically much stronger than Azaa.

"I know, father just told me." Uela said but Azaa did not understand why she would stop her. "Then let me go!" she said and her voice was pleading. "I'm so happy for you, but do you really want to face him like this?" Uela said and Azaa did not understand until she looked down on her body. Her dress was ripped and she was covered in wood pieces from the door, that had not moved fast enough. Her hair was a mess too and one of her shoes got lost while jumping. "He is coming here, he is alive and well." Uela said and hugged her sister. A second miracle had happened, Marcus was alive. "Quickly, let us go home and make you pretty." Uela said and Azaa smiled with tears in her eyes.

Marcus was on the back of a truck, that transported goods from Earth to Mihr Jhel. The weather was clear and he could see the city in the distance getting closer quickly. He was excited and waved at the ginghi on the road and the fields. Things had changed around here. He could see mechanical farming tools, a solar farm and even two windmills in the distant. The truck was moving on a paved road and headed for an unloading area in front of the city gates. Marcus heart beat heavy, he was nervous but also happy. If Azaa is waiting for me, I will change into mute mode, if that is okay for you Xeen. It took a moment before the ancient alien answered with a short okay. The truck slowed down and parked, while a group of ginghi men already approached to unload the various containers and palettes. Marcus jumped down, waved goodbye to the driver and walked towards the city gate.

Long before he reached the large gate he could see a person standing in front of it. She wore one of her light blue dresses and looked as composed as she always did. Until later Xeen, and Marcus went into mute mode. He wanted this moment to be his own. Marcus walked slowly closer to Azaa and stopped two meters from her. He had forgotten, or maybe never really understood, how incredible she was. A soft wind moved through her hair and her perfectly symmetrical face offered him a soft smile "You are late." her soft voice made his brain tingle. "I'm very sorry, I was held back by a collapsing portal." He said matching her soft tone. Her eyes felt much warmer and more vibrant than he could remember. "I got stronger, I hope that will make up for the delay." He said with a small grin and she tilted her head and smiled.

Azaa accompanied Marcus to the (now much larger) embassy and once he had stored his bag, they slowly walked towards her study as if not 4 years had gone by since the last time. They spoke very little and when, then only about the changes and how he was feeling, such kind of things. Their eyes met all the time and Marcus felt like his head was filled with nothing but white fluffy clouds. All his smart ideas and interesting stories he wanted to tell her had left him. They entered her study and everything felt the same.

He took his old place and Azaa put down the glass carafe like she always did. She carefully cut him and his blood moved through the air by her will. "Will this be enough to heal your father?" Marcus said and she shook her head with a warm smile. "No, your blood has reached the minimum strength to heal him but the ritual needed is far more complex and demanding. Your blood today will easily undo the degradation of the last years." she said and Marcus nodded. "Sorry again for…" but Azaa stopped him "It was not your fault, I know you would not break your vow. I was waiting for you to return." Suddenly it got a lot warmer in the room and looking into her eyes made his ears itchy. Far too fast the draining was over and with a smile and a hand motion she made him understand she would do the massage now.

Azaa walked behind Marcus and he took his shirt off. This was not what he had planned, things were not going well. Meeting her in the flesh after fantasizing about her for years made him feel awkward and shy. They would finish soon, then maybe play some board game and then?

As Marcus was still contemplating, Azaa started and all his thoughts vanished in an instant. Her fingertips gently touched his back and slowly her hand pressed against his back. Warmth spread from her touch and a few seconds later the events repeated. Marcus was reacting strongly to this gentle touch, cold and hot waves moved over his body and he could not talk in fear his pleasure would become obvious. Time stopped and yet moved far too quickly. Azaa walked back into his view and she looked at him with joy. "How about we revitalize your game skills?" she asked and Marcus nodded.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Everything happened as Marcus had predicted and they spent enjoyable hours upon her home playing. They spoke very little besides her instructions and the exchange of small talk. Marcus learned that Janette had been visiting her every month, when possible, and that they had become acquainted. The sun was setting before he knew it and soon it was too dark to play. "It would seem it is time to stop." She said and their eyes met again. Marcus nodded and got up. "Maybe you would like to stay in the city for another day?" Azaa asked and Marcus instantly agreed. They parted ways, feeling awkward and restless.

Azaa went into her home and sat down on a chair next to her dining table. A thunderstorm was raging in her head. Powerful feelings, emotions and thoughts crushed against each other, mingled and lightning raced through her body. Azaa yearned for clarity and for the next three hours she distilled the chaos down to a singular point. Now she had clarity. Azaa got up and walked out of her home and towards the human dwelling. She would have to ask him.

Marcus was still wide awake. He was lying, still dressed, on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He was confused and worried. The day had vanished and he felt they had not said anything, nothing was clear. All the declarations he had made while he was lost, about what and how he would tell her. NOTHING. He did not know what to say. Faced with the real Azaa, the genius woman of over 100 years in age, he felt insufficient. How had he ever thought- knock, knock. Marcus nearly jumped off the bed and opened the door. "Can I come in?" Azaa asked as soon as the door was open. Marcus stepped aside, painfully aware, that she was now technically in his bedroom.

Marcus closed the door and Azaa stood in the middle of the small room looking at him but not saying anything. Seconds passed like honey dripping down and he thought about saying something clever or funny as Azaa finally said "I have carefully thought about the matter, and with your permission I would like to court you."

Marcus heard the words but they did not make sense to his brain. He blinked and blinked again and slowly his brain dared to look at the sentence in detail. A sudden rush of heat moved through his body and turned his whole head into a tomato. His mouth got dry and his heart tried to jump right out of his mouth.

Azaa watched him with care, her heart was beating so loudly she could no longer hear herself think.

"Court me...could you please explain what that means. To avoid any cultural misunderstandings." Marcus said with a dry and broken voice. After a moment she spoke and her voice was trembling "Courting you means, I wish to start a romantic relationship with you, with the declared final goal to become lifelong mates.". If it was at all possible his head turned even more red and his heart moved towards 3000 beats per minute.

….romantic...lifelong...mates. Azaa wishes to marry me. His mind went blank and his instinct took control, he nodded and said, "Okay." A bright smile grew on Azaa's face and she nodded too. "Okay." she said.

"This is like a process, a journey, right?" Marcus stuttered as his brain still tried to keep up with the events. "Yes. We now have made the first step," she said and Marcus felt unreal. Was this really happening? Another thought moved through his head "And...you are courting me?", "Of course, it is only proper. I'm significantly older than you and have the higher station. It is my responsibility to approach you." Azaa explained as if it was obvious to anybody. Marcus just nodded and Azaa turned to leave. "You are leaving?" he said and she smiled "You agreed, we are courting now. That was the reason for my visit." She walked out of the door and left Marcus alone in his room.

As soon as she was gone a train rushed through his brain and the full implications of what just happened hit him face on. Me and Azaa. For life. Suddenly he realized this might have been the single most important decision in his whole life. Greater than even becoming a class holder. This was not a one night stand, not dating or even starting a relationship...suddenly he needed to ask himself, if he wanted to spent the rest of his potentially very long life with Azaa?

Centuries...children..CHILDREN! He started to breathe heavily and sat down, only to jump up again and to pace through his small room. He only ever had two one night stands with women and now he was going to bind himself to Azaa for the rest of his life. The room was shrinking and the air felt stuffy. He needed fresh air to think! A bit off running would help him calm down. He put on some light clothes and took off his shoes. A few laps around the city, three or four hours should do the trick!

Marcus moved through the dark building and out to the front door. A few night lights illuminated the entrance. And there was Azaa, sitting on a bench with her hands neatly folded on her lap, staring into the night. Marcus was not prepared and he just stopped still. After a few seconds Azaa recognized him and jumped up from the bench. "Marcus!" she said and looked flustered.

He wanted to say something again but before he could, words shot out of her mouth. "I'm different" she said. "I know." he responded. "This is not going to change." she said as if she was defending herself. "I know," he said and he was truly okay with it. As she heard his words she looked happy and relieved.

"I was going to take a walk. Do you want to join me?" Marcus said, not even knowing from where this courage came. "I would love to." and she smiled.

They walked through the city gate, passed the night guards, and moved along the fields. It was a warm night, the heavy smell of the fields and flowers was in the air. They walked close to each other without talking. Some stars showed themselves between slow moving clouds and they exchanged looks. His face was burning hot again but it was okay, she…. Azaa must have strong feelings for him, he only now realized. He stole glances at her and she caught all of them.

They passed a field of crops with white flowers and a heavy and sweet smell filled the air. As they walked Azaa's hand touched his, as if on coincidence. Once more they touched, but longer now. A third time their hands touched and stayed together, her warm hand clasped his own and it meant more than words could express. They continued to walk without much talking for a long time and when they parted ways Marcus returned to his room as a changed man. All the confusion and doubt in his mind were gone, replaced by the certainty of love.

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