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."

sarcasm catches me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never

They wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for casual

you

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

my mind. "What do you mean?

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?

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 connect with my book.

Not Yet

sense that it-he-would have a

kind of on the nose, isn't

manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head.

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

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.

no one else is

Grimoire, little human thing?" the

tell me. After all, they went on and on about

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

know him quite

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

magic 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

and start anew."

all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my

that... possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry

so abruptly it makes me flinch, their