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."

trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything like

a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why

you

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

swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've

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 shallow. "Grimoire?

girl. Including the fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling

Ava: Not Yet

that it-he-would have

on the nose,

you manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow

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

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

one else is out

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

they went on and on about how Grimoire

the one who came barging in

know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well.

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

doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should

and start anew."

spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any

ask, unable to keep the

out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me