Missing and Missed

ludo Braved the forests, braved the stone Braved the icy winds and fire Braved and beat them on my own Masks did not blink, and yet Roana would get the distinct impression that Ludo's did in the silence between her question and its answer. Eventually, the mask tilted back as if to gaze up into the archways of the Temple. "She believed that it did, and it brought her comfort," it said - nothing more, nothing less, but giving the vague impression that the answer was no. It continued to roll around the offerings as Roana thanked it, and an errant bit of cloth waved her off as if to tell her that it was needless. "What you seek may not be easy to obtain. Thank me when the object is in your hand," it said, before fixing its porcelain face upon her. What offerings did it like? Absently, Ludo shook its rags - upon the ground fell an intricate origami owl, a small child's toy, some colourful stones and shells and the remnants of what looked like a sunflower seed loaf with icing sugar dusted on top. "I like these things," it said.