A crisp breeze has rolled into Tendaji, bringing the temperatures down both on land and sea. Along with the shortening of days, this is a sign that it is time to harvest food and resources to prepare for the winter months.

Typically, harvesting is a community effort. Be it the family all coming together to ensure the produce is picked before it sours, or the community coming in to help till the fields, it is quite the event. Most don't mind stepping up, considering the hard work always pays off with a festival, but some do find it quite a burden.

Either way, if the community wishes to come together and survive another long winter, it's time for you to step in and play your part.

[ The fall harvest is back again. This time, you have been asked to play your part. Be it helping gather materials like wood and furs or plucking the fruits and vegetables from the fields, your task has been laid out for you.

When replying to this event, we are looking for your character to be actively helping with the fall harvest. Maybe it's a team effort with a friend, or a thoughtful reflection of what fall means. Take the time to explore how your character feels doing such work during this time of year. ]

Seiong pulled the shawl a little tighter around her shoulders when the breeze picked up along her back. She loved all types of weather, but each type was best experienced with the proper attire. Walking around in Jauhar, she had forgotten how chilly the northern areas could get compared to what she was used to. Especially once she started combing the shallows of the beach and got her feet wet!

It would be worth it though! Clams were abundant along this particular beach. Gooey clams that would make for deliciously heavy winter stews while the shells could be used for jewelry and the like. It was one of her favorite harvests because she knew nothing would go to waste. That, and it didn’t require any special physical skills like climbing or running. Just the stamina for long hours and the keen eyes to search the shallow waters, plus the willingness to venture into the earthling territory.

She had a few baskets with her, one already filled and in the small wagon she had brought along. Two other baskets sat along the beach and one remained hooked around her waist. No one else had come along today, and that was fine. She appreciated being alone just as much as company. A shaggy gray mule stood near the wagon, contentedly chewing on grass while it waited for Seiong to finish her task. If she was going to collect enough to make the trip worthwhile, she would need help carrying the load.

Up ahead of her, Tutu the duruf was happily bounding in the shallows as well. He would bark at the water, jump in a couple feet, yelp at the chill, and run back onto the beach to bark some more. Then rinse and repeat. It was a delightfully amusing sight that kept her entertained during her foraging.

Some days, it felt like Tutu was the only companion she needed. He never judged her for anything; unless it was a missed meal! He was always happy to cuddle and share her joys and comfort her in her sad moments. Then there were times like this where he made tedious tasks so much more enjoyable, willing to follow her wherever she was needed. Tutu wasn’t exactly the ‘working’ type of companion that most of her sisters and cousins valued, but it was enough for Seiong. What more could a girl ask for, really?

Seiong realized she had paused to watch the duruf and laughed. “Some day, maybe I can train you to hunt these clams with me,” she teased lightly. Tutu looked over at her curiously, but then went right back to his play. Right. He would be hunting clams the day she won at the mountain races. After shaking out her chilled feet, she focused back on her work.

Gathering clams was nothing glamorous, but it was a worthy task. It would help the community get through the chilly months with a little more comfort and quality. Sure, they could get by on the basics. She knew plenty of cousins and sisters who would be fine with nothing but dried meats and preserved fruits for a couple months. That certainly was not for her though. Life was so much more vibrant with a little extra! Even if others would not make the extra effort for some extra quality in their lives, Seiong was willing to do that for them! To a point, at least. Everyone was pitching in to help out, and she was not going to be the exception. This was one of the ways she could refresh her mindset on her value in the community.

Everyone had value, of course. It was just rather easy to get swept away in the need to compare one’s value to those around. By the time the third basket was full, Seiong was able to look at her collection and grin. One more basket to go, and there was still plenty of beach left to forage! This was turning out to be a very good harvest. She couldn’t wait to get her findings back to the island.

She reached into the front corner of the wagon with another smile and pulled out a smaller basket. It was looking as though there would be enough left to find to take home for her family! They could have their own meal just for them from her efforts. It felt good to help everyone, there was no doubt about that! Yet, there was something special about treating the family to something special from her hard work. She could see their eyes light up and the smiles on their faces right in front of her. It warmed her heart like nothing else to see her family happy.

To help keep her family, and her community, happy, she would do whatever she was able to. Digging around in chilly water and sand? Absolutely.

(Word count: 814)