As a few more pieces find their spaces, the image becomes clearer - abstract swirling colors that only when viewed as a whole portray a dark wood with lanternlike spots of brightness. And somewhat unexpectedly in the off-center, only two puzzle pieces in size but far more detailed: a plump Sear Cat wearing a garishly colorful party hat.
Admittedly Anju hadn’t anticipated more than a lovingly guided conversation, but she tilts into the pat of rags upon her head in a fashion reminiscent of an eager child. Attentively she listens all the same, Riya perking up at her side so that both gleaming pairs of eyes are turned unwaveringly towards Ludo. Committing every instruction to memory, pulse dizzyingly fast at the prospect of a chance to do - to be - more than what she is. “Thank you Ludo. I will make sure to bring some toys to your Woods as I pass through - simply painting it will not suffice,” is offered with a lopsided grin. A place she can finally explore firsthand instead of reading about.
Plinking down the penultimate puzzle piece, Anju grins at the Cheshire-esque rendering she’d created by hand, and feels a weight lift from her shoulders with a proper goal placed before her at last.
Admittedly Anju hadn’t anticipated more than a lovingly guided conversation, but she tilts into the pat of rags upon her head in a fashion reminiscent of an eager child. Attentively she listens all the same, Riya perking up at her side so that both gleaming pairs of eyes are turned unwaveringly towards Ludo. Committing every instruction to memory, pulse dizzyingly fast at the prospect of a chance to do - to be - more than what she is. “Thank you Ludo. I will make sure to bring some toys to your Woods as I pass through - simply painting it will not suffice,” is offered with a lopsided grin. A place she can finally explore firsthand instead of reading about.
Plinking down the penultimate puzzle piece, Anju grins at the Cheshire-esque rendering she’d created by hand, and feels a weight lift from her shoulders with a proper goal placed before her at last.
Anju
