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

subject abruptly once again. "Why

you

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

mind. "What do you mean?

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,

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

Not

makes sense that it-he-would have a

of on the

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

in it?" I venture to ask. The spirit must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than their appearance. "Acons,

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 expanse of dead forest. The contrast is stark-life

no one else is out

human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

"I thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how

eyes narrow. "You're the one who came barging in here. Shouldn't

I counter. "You seem to know him quite well.

back in mid-air. It's surreal,

the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green

and start anew."

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

I ask, unable to

it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with