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."

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

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

you

and physically, 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

"What do you mean? I've never been here

long-suffering sigh, like I'm an obtuse child they're obligated to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know," Energy fizzes through

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

Not Yet

that

kind of on the

every inch of me with a

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

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 a vast

one else

human thing?" the spirit asks,

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

in here. Shouldn't you know where your own

seem to know him quite well. I figured

mid-air. It's

they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame

and start anew."

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

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

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