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."

catches me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm

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

you

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 coming uninvited, don't

frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do

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 shallow. "Grimoire? You mean my magic book? How do

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

Not Yet

that it-he-would have a

it's kind of on

inspect every inch of me with a

with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their

Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow suit, scanning our surroundings. Beyond

else is

thing?" the

they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't

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

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

spirit groans, dramatically falling flat on their 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 sky. "Perhaps I should just

and start anew."

runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy

possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry from my

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