Instead of sulking as I would have for the rest of the day, I put my energy into creating something. I had asked Jaida for any type of ink or paint, and once found, I got to work.

It wasn't my usual style of drawing, as I would normally try and capture realism to my sketches. But here I noticed the love of intricate patterns, the more detailed the more prized. It was abstract, but I quite liked my finished works. I picked my favorite and kept it for the feast tonight.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

I sat by myself like usual, isolated from the celebration around me. Everyone had scattered around the open area, seated and talking. The smell of ash and roasted meat wafted through the air. I picked at my food impatiently, looking around for Tula and her son, Cayne, the boy I had rescued earlier that day.

As the night progressed I realized that after his experience his mother and him might have stayed in tonight. My plan to see him started to loose hope.

Yet the moment I was about to turn in for the evening Jaida appears, accompanied by someone.

Tula approaches by Jaida's side, she grips Cayne firmly by the shoulder. Others around the open area looked on at the encounter about to happen.

I put on the best warm smile I could as the three come to stand were I currently sit on a flat cushion. Tula kneels down to the level of her son, whispering something in his ear. He looks shy as she pushes him towards me, his eyes cast down to the ground before looking back to his mother. She gives him encouraging wide eyes.

Cayne takes another small step towards me, his eyes watching his foot scrape at the ground.

"Thank you..." he murmurs quietly, his tone and pronunciation suggesting he had not said a foreign word before. Yet it brings a smile to my face, I look to Tula and give a thankful nod before retuning my attention to her son.

"I made something for you... as a get better gift...." I say softly to him. I looked to Jaida who stands by, silently gesturing for her to translate. Confused at first, it takes her few moments to understand, but she looks happy to comply.

She speaks quickly to them and Tula looks a little skeptical when she finishes. Cayne peeks up from his constant interest of the ground, his attention now changed.

I reach behind me where I laid the stone to give to him. I had found a nice smooth pebble and had drawn a flower in the middle, the pattern being free form as it fanned outwards. I hoped that this stone was one he would keep, not throw into the river.

I slowly extend my hand out to him, the stone flat on my palm. He looks at it, his dark brown eyes fascinated for a few moments before he looks to me again. He seemed to be asking permission, I smile.

He plucks the stone from my hand, studying it closely, a tiny smile cracking his lips." Thank you..." he murmurs again.

Tula then steps forward grasping a hand on his shoulder again. He complies effortlessly as she pushes him slowly back to stand nearer to her. Cayne presses the stone to his chest as if a precious jewel.

She gives me a tight smile before turning away, Cayne still in her grasp. Jaida gives me a happy grin, joining the celebration feast once again.

My gift was now given and my plan for this evening was done. I stood, brushing off lose dirt from my dress. I watch amongst the crowd and spot Tula and Cayne again. He still held the stone close to his heart. Tula finally looks curious and kneels down to his level. She encourages him to show her the gift and he finally obliges. He cups his hands out holding the stone, as she rests her own hands under his. Her eyes widen as she looks at it, before darting to the direction where I was.

Not wanting to be seen spying I turn around, heading back to my tent. I didn't know why I wanted to do this for him. When my sisters were young and were sick or had taken a tumble I would try and cheer them up. A simple drawing of something they loved seemed to do the trick.

I felt something in me change. That one small innocent smile from Cayne made me want to see more. I missed making people smile, talking and laughing. And I knew I could if I opened up and stepped out of my comfort zone of hiding. Maybe it was time to change...

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

The next morning the dullness I normally felt had subsided. Energy was stored inside my system that wanted to be used up. It was early, so I had gotten changed myself with little difficulty and waited for Jaida to arrive.

She was certainly surprised as I sat in the dining room, drawing more patterns on pebbles with ink and paint. She was probably readying to see me moping around in bed.

"Aleenia?" She asks, setting down a couple of sweet cakes with honey and a bowl of berries to accompany. She sounded worried.

"Yes Jaida?" I stop what I was doing to, setting my small pointed stick down that I used to dip in ink and draw. Jaida stood by for a moment, blinking as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Finally, a relieved smile appears as she shakes her head, coming to inspect my work.

She leans down over the low table." There beautiful..."

" You may have one, but some might have to dry first..." I explain.

Jaida's eyes widen in surprise." Aleenia... I could not-"

"Jaida..." I say slowly." Please take one, it's a thank you for all that you have done for me."

Our gazes lock and I can't help but smile at her bewildered expression. I didn't know that much about Jaida, or her family background. But I could tell that this meant something to her.

She slowly nods, her eyes scanning the patterned pebbles I have scattered on the table. She plucks one up that had dried. It was a detailed one, mainly with pattern circles of dots and dashes. She admired it for a few seconds before looking to me.

"Aleenia, if you wished to..." She starts sounding almost scared to ask the question." There is a group of women here who make jewelry and sell it to the other tribes here on this land... I am sure they could use your help..."

I open my mouth to reply but think for a few seconds. I was nervous to take the next step. More nervous to sit down with these women, hoping they would see me as an equal, not an outsider. But there was only one way to get there.

"I would like to help... if they are alright with it." I say softly to Jaida.

Jaida's already radiant smile brightens." Yes, Tula is part of the group. I am sure after everything she will be happy to let you help. They meet tomorrow, I will be sure to take you to them then."

I nod in response, my eyes wandering back down to my work.

"What will you do with these?" Jaida asks, finding a jug and pouring some water in a clay mug by my breakfast.

"I'm not sure... I planned to give them to the children, I am not sure how though..."

"Well" Jaida thinks for a moment." Spring is coming, and many women who work on the farm take their young children. Hiding them around the crop could be fun for them to find."

I smile, liking the idea . For the rest of the morning, Jaida and I plan ahead.

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