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.

They wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here, girl? This

you

magic, I think. I didn't

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do

where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy

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

Not Yet

makes sense that it-he-would

kind of on

me with a curled lip and a slow shake

with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than their appearance. "Acons,

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

no one else is

Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit

on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace

in here. Shouldn't

don't know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him

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

parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps

and start anew."

doesn't seem to have any real

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

movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that