Nausicaa lay in the crisp grass; she was fiddling with singular strands of grass between her finger-tips and let out a deep sigh. She had her eyes half closed and her lips partly open; it was truly a beautiful afternoon to be outside and away from the noise of the Valley. The clouds were tinted with orange and purple, afternoon colours, sprays of light breaking through shining over into the forest in the distance. Birds chirping happily together, calling for mates in the last hours of the day, it seemed everything was just right, nothing to fear. Nausicaa soaked in this afternoon like a sponge and slowly closed her eyes, drifting off without noticing, she was asleep.

"Hey Nausicaa, come here for a second please." A voice yelled over all the commotion. Nausicaa scanned the crowd like an alert dog and noticed a body half hidden behind a house. She pushed through many people until she was out of sight and met up with the figure that had called her.

"Asbel? What are you doing here, we have been looking for you all morning, and you're supposed to be leaving with Lord Yupa again today." Asbel put on a smile and put his hands out together.

"Close your eyes, I want to give you something before I go." Nausicaa hesitated but she closed her eyes and cupped her hands in-front of herself. She felt Asbel place something in her hands, it was very light, but it felt sharp, like it had little spikes. Nausicaa opened her eyes to see a complete baby ohmu shell perched on her palms. It shined in the morning sunlight; she could see right through it, it was so delicate in appearance, although deceiving as it was tougher than the purest steel.

"Where did you find it? It's wonderful!" Asbel scratched his head and smiled even wider.

"Last time I was with Yupa exploring the country, we stumbled across it in a deserted village, it was just lying there, so I took it with me for tool material, but I couldn't bare such a item to be broken, you like it?" Nausicaa caressed the shell like a mother to a baby, a slight childish grin breaching her face.

"Of course, I'm glad you kept it, but you should be going now, everyone is getting worked up about you missing." Asbel ran out into the open and towards the group of people, joining with Yupa. Asbel mounted a large black bird and tugged its reins back to make it step slightly back a few steps, catching Nausicaa in the corner of his eyes and waved. Yupa rode a bird that looked identical to the one Asbel had mounted towards the boy and ruffled his hair, while a grin behind his bushy beard.

"Said your goodbyes yet? We will be gone awhile before our next return, so make sure you're ready."

"Yeah, I'm ready got everything?" Nausicaa made her way up to the large birds they were on top of, looking up at the men riding them. Yupa looked down upon her and placed his large hand on the top of her head. She had a look of excitement and happiness yet distraught which was hidden away. His gaze rested upon a small object resting in her arms.

"Did he finally give you that ohmu shell did he?" The girl looked up so they're eyes met.

"Yes he did, isn't it wonderful? Not even a scratch on it, I love it to bits." Yupa took a hold of his mount's reins and turned it and it started to trot off away from the Valley, Asbel went up to Nausicaa and patted her back.

"We'll see you all soon, don't get us wrong." And at that the bird galloped after the older man, Nausicaa watched them both disappear as the sun rose; she had a feeling that they were going to be more than just a quick trip. She took in a deep breath and exhaled, slowly everyone left to get back to their chores for the day, Nausicaa being the last one.

"Come back soon you two."