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Wherever Doesina went, a little group of children followed. Most of the parents now eagerly allowed them to do so, to get them out from under foot for a few hours while they did their chores in peace. When it was clear she meant them no harm. And she didn't mind. She enjoyed having children around, their energy always infected her and made it difficult to keep a smile off her face. She forgot that there were others, lots of them, in the world who wouldn't approve of her interacting with hybrids. Some of the other parents were none too happy with her still hanging around. They'd never trust an Elaria. Doesina couldn't really blame them. Though some of her sisters were over here, in Jauhar mingling with Alkidike, trying to fix the bad history between everyone and put it behind them, there were also those who opposed that every step of the way. There were still generations far too set in their ways, teaching it to the younger Elaria so it lingered about more. Heike might even meet some of those peace-loving Elaria while she visited the Alkidike. She wondered how such a meeting would go. Her cousin could be quite stubborn about her own beliefs.

She always thought that an admirable thing to do. To act as an ambassador. She thought of herself as doing the same thing here, with these hybrid children. She'd gotten some of the parents to trust her, after all. That was a start. Perhaps, in the future, she should make trips back here. At least to visit the children as they grew. She'd really miss them when she left.

Doesina suddenly felt a tug on her sleeve and looked down to the small Mab looking back up at her, one of her arms holding tight to a doll. When she looked down, a smile on her face, the child merely pointed out into the wilderness, where some of the more nimble of the adults and teenagers were climbing the trees to reach the fruits that sometimes grew up there. Doesina wasn't quite sure why Mab was pointing out at them, so she merely patted the youngster on the head and knelt down so she was closer to her eye level.

Of the children, Mab was the smallest. Thanks to her Alkidike side, she still came up to Doesina's hip. Doesina herself was rather short, so maybe this child would grow up to be even taller than her.

"Yes, they're gathering food for the winter," the Elaria said, leaning her elbows on her knees. "My sisters and I do it in Yael, too." When the child gestured more towards the adults, Doesina became confused. It wasn't as if Mab couldn't talk. She was a very quiet child who preferred not to. If she could get what she wanted through gestures and facial expressions, she would rather do that. "Or do you want to go help?" Mab nodded frantically. "Well. I can't let you follow them. You might hurt yourself climbing those big trees. I'm supposed to be watching you. Mm." An idea appeared to her and she stood up, brushing at the split skirt of her outfit, looking at each of the children in turn. Each one looked back at her with eagerness, clearly all wanting to do their part to help their parents. Doesina glanced around her a moment before continuing. "I have an idea. Follow me. It'll be fun." And she turned on her heel and trotted towards the other side of the town, the younglings following her in a small group.

Reaching the spot she desired, Doesina stopped, spreading her arms wide to either side of her. "There is no one on this side. How about we help by picking up the fallen fruit on the ground?"

Ecstatic by the prospect of it, the children set off almost straight away. But it soon became apparent they were running out of arms to carry all the food they had found. Doesina went back into town to get some bags and baskets to hand out to each in turn, than stood back and watched as they all went back to work. But it wasn't soon after that she found herself growing bored of just watching. So, picking up a basket of her own, she raced out into the near forest to join them. They spent the next few hours acquiring their own stockpile of food, filling bag after bag, basket after basket until the parents returned and were thrilled at the help from their children while they were away. Doesina was a step closer to building her own bridge of peace.