Istredd glances to the boy and narrows his eyes. "Pause." Just like that, the boy does. He rarely uses his psychic abilities in this way against anyone, but this one doesn't appear to be infected with whatever she is. He needs minds to compare against, and he's not going to also be grabbing children when one of them is. The boy doesn't feel or think anything about it, he's completely normal. In just a handful of blinks he's back to himself and looks confused but ignores them.

Istredd then looks at the girl and does the same. He doesn't need to touch people to get into their minds, that's usually just what he does for a stronger connection. Her mind is a different story altogether and it shows on his face as he steps closer, eyes narrowing slightly. He can hear something. A song. A lullaby?

"Something ...." He does reach out to touch the doll, and she tightens her fingers around it, but he doesn't take it this time. He listens. "Return?" He hears something, but it's unclear, until he says that and the kids playing with their dolls all at once say it out loud. Return.