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. "I'm sorry. I've never seen anything

the subject abruptly once again. "Why are here,

you

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 spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing across their ethereal features. "You make quite a

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've

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 my veins, my heart beat

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

Ava: Not Yet

It makes sense that it-he-would have a

of on the nose, isn't

a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with

way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more than their appearance. "Acons, perhaps?" They shrug. "Time is

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

else

Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to

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

don't know anything about him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know

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

into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just set the

and start anew."

to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse

I ask, unable to keep the

spirit's reaction is like something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning