Quantum Entanglement: Howzer and Aurelia

26. The Choice

The next day found Howzer practically sprinting back to his barracks as soon as he was released from duty. He gave himself a thorough wash, put on fresh blacks, and scrubbed his armor plates as best he could to rid them of the dust and scuffs of life. He felt as though he couldn't take a deep enough breath, and his chest was tight with anticipation, excitement, and nervousness. A short time later, as he waited for Aurelia to open her door, he chewed on his bottom lip, shuffling his helmet from one hip to the other. 

The door whooshed open and the sight of her made his heart flip anew. Her soft curls framed an adoring face, and she looked like a breath of fresh air in a sky blue dress that made her dark eyes and hair stand out even more. He smiled, feeling simultaneously relieved and even more anxious.

"You are so beautiful," he mused, earning a blush and muttered comment of deflection from her. She took his arm and they were off. They wove their way through the city, Howzer taking her on a new path she had not seen before. It brought them to a secluded garden, surrounded by a large, ornate fence that depicted scenes from Twi'lek cultural history on broad panels. They entered through a filigree iron gate, Howzer setting his helmet down on a bench, and the scents and sights were a sensory indulgence that invited them both to take a deep breath.

A cool breeze seemed to come from nowhere, and the air was both fresh and moist in a way that was neither humid nor heavy. The variety of plants and flowers was incredible, and their light scents blended together in a way that was completely complimentary, creating a fragrant atmosphere that was sweet and uplifting. The silence was comforting and grew deeper as they continued in. They reached an intersection of a few paths, and Howzer stopped to face her.

"The Twi'leks have an ancient marriage ceremony called Jasshi'rr," he began, and her heart rate began to increase. "I don't know how they do it on other planets, but here it's a private affair. At the center of this garden is a skull, made of the crystallized ashes of a fallen Twi'lek hero of old. The skull is honored as both sacred and sentient, and when two come before it with the intention of becoming one, they are considered married."

Aurelia's mind was racing and she felt an intensifying thrill in her chest. She'd been pondering a lot, since his cryptic hinting before he had left, and if this was going where she hoped it would, she was more than ready. One of the paths continued toward the center, and the others branched off to the sides. She took Howzer's hand, "So you brought me here for a history lesson?"

"Not quite," he smiled, squeezing her hand, and turned toward one of the side paths, giving her a brief sense of confusion. They walked a few steps along the spiraling cobblestoned walkway until it bubbled out slightly in a circle, surrounded by one type of tree that was covered in large white blossoms. They had soft, rounded petals, many of which had scattered across the ground, and some continued to fall, creating a dreamy little illusion of snow. Howzer stopped, facing her again. 

"You saw through to the core of me from the beginning," he said quietly, giving one of her cheeks a gentle caress with the back of his hand. "You saw something in me that even I couldn't articulate, and you drew it out simply by being who you are." Aurelia smiled, opening her mouth to reply, but he held up a finger, a warm expression on his face, and took her hand again to continue through the labyrinth. The nest open space was surrounded by thick vines, full of lush leaves that were magnificently flat and wide, and here Howzer paused again. 

"You're intelligent and kind, insightful and witty," he continued. "You and Sprint have shaped my life in ways I can't fully express but am eternally grateful for. The fact that we found each other again is more than I ever could have wished." He kissed her hand, then kept walking to the next opening, which was filled with bushes that looked as though they were made of silver, yet they were impossibly light and wispy, shimmering in the sunlight.