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."

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

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

you

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

mind. "What do

for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to

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

Not

sense that it-he-would have a name,

of on

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

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

me nowhere. They 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 vibrant green, there's nothing but

else is out

Grimoire, little human thing?" the

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

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

to know him quite well.

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

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."

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 a real

I ask, unable to keep the worry from

abruptly it makes me