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The valley was bathed in a mix of cool shadows and warm early morning light; and it was the perfect time to sneak out for a test flight. Nausicaä stood underneath the tree in the castle’s garden, stretching herself and her wings out as she admired the scenery.
The wings themselves were ordinary in color; Mito and Lord Yupa had commented they looked like a juvenile hawk’s wings. Long and board to soar in the air much like her glider, Mehve, but still showed its youth and inexperience. This has been a moment she had been dreaming of doing since she was little with downy feathers, and she was going to do just that. She tucked back her wings, and walked out for the more spacious area of the garden.
As she walked, she wondered if this is how fledglings felt as they’re about to fly for the first time. The excitement of riding the wind, and the anxiety of falling from high up. Nausicaä took a deep breath and spread her wings and ran.
The princess hopped as she flapped her wings. Again and again until she reached the edge of the castle garden. And all at once, she found herself flying.
It was both a familiar and surreal experience. She was used to seeing the world from above, and could read the wind on Mehve, but this seemed more intimate. The cold breeze passed through the finger-like tips of her wings; she could feel the warm air rising from the earth as the sun continued to climb in the sky. Nausicaä took advantage of it and rose with it to greater heights, the exhilaration of flight having never lost its touch.
‘So, this is what it's like to be a bird.’ She smiled to herself as she continued to soar and glide.
Back in the garden, a couple of older men watched the red-headed princess in the distance flying about in the air. Lord Yupa looked to Mito, the sergeant-at-arms of the castle. “She is a fast learner.”
“She is, but I wish she didn’t have to sneak off like that,” said Mito. “Sometimes, I worry she might get carried a way.”
“It’s alright; she’s knows not to venture too far,” reassured Lord Yupa.
Mito sighed, “That’s a part of it. But, I’m more worried what the rest of the world will think.”
Lord Yupa nodded.
He wasn’t too worried about the people of the valley’s views on her. They loved her with or without wings, and she has done so much for them. But, yes, it was strange that Nausicaä was the only person to be born with wings. The insects of the Toxic Jungle and the Sea of Corruption spreading to every corner of the world; and because of it, the wars and territory disputes between tribes and kingdoms were enough on people’s minds. And so, for the world to learn that the princess of the valley was born with wings; how would people outside of this kingdom react to it? Would she be viewed as an angel, or an omen?
And yet, he was still curious.
Why was she the only person to be born with wings? What would have caused this? Whatever was left of the old world in terms of legends, myths, or other surviving tales he could find in his travels; there was nothing about people with bird wings.
THUD!
The swordsman’s attention snapped back and saw Nausicaä sitting up from a stumbled landing attempted. Mito lost no time to help the princess get back on her feet with Yupa following behind. “Princess, are you okay?”
She shook her feathers as she stood back up. “I’m alright; I could’ve taken it easy on the landing, though.”
Lord Yupa softly chuckled, “Yes, these things take time.”
“Lord Yupa, Uncle Mito,” said Nausicaä, tucking her wings back, tightly, looking away from them. “I’m sorry for sneaking off. I got too excited to wait.”
“It happens to the best of us,” stated Yupa.
Mito cleared his throat. “If you want to try again later, let your father and I know. Okay?”
Nausicaä nodded. Until they were caught off guard from the sound of her rumbling stomach. Mito couldn’t help to laugh a little. “And, young birds know when to eat before taking test flights.”
“Okay, I get it.” She smiled.
As the two of them made their way down into the castle for breakfast, Lord Yupa stayed behind to observe the view and to continue ponder.
‘How will the world react indeed?’ He thought.