Tangled

Unshift 286

Unshift 286

286 Ava: Not Yet Ready.

*Sealed? By the water, you mean?"

"Of course not." They look irritated now, likely by how slow my brain is catching up to their thought process. The seals, girl"

"So, a lockbox?"

"Lockb-you humans have such odd innovations." The way they're peering into my face, it feels like they're tearing apart my memories to educate themselves.

"In a sense, I suppose. It isn't that easy" They sit.

In the air.

Floating.

Just-there. As if one would lower themself into a chair, only there's nothing there.

"Why so surprised?" they ask, tilting their head as they blink owlishly in my direction.

Gesturing toward them, I just say, "You're floating. In mid-air."

They roll their eyes again, a surprisingly human gesture for such an otherworldly being. "And you're standing on the ground. How extraordinary."

my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've

wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again.

you

off-balance mentally and physically, it takes a while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing across their ethereal

"What do you mean? I've never been here

I'm an obtuse child they're obligated to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through my veins, my heart beat rapid and

quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying

Not

It makes sense that it-he-would have a

it's kind of on the

inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the world changed so

world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more

don't seem interested in a two-way conversation, only in satiating their own curiosity. "How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond our small circle of

one else is out

is Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

"I thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know

who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your own

seem to know him quite

back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching them float there like they're lying on

is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue

and start anew."

runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse for

unable to keep the

abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning