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."

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

again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for

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 features. "You make quite a habit of

frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean?

Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed,

spirit's expression remains settled in perpetual annoyance. "I know many things, girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm not trying to stumble into anything. I'm just trying to

Not

sense that

on the nose,

inspect every inch of me with a curled

some experience with the world. The way

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 vibrant green, there's nothing but

else is out

little human thing?" the

going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace

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

know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know where

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

has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse for a

to keep the

like something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with