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

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

you

was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I

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

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 rapid and

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

Not

sense that it-he-would have

it's kind of on the nose, isn't

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

must have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing

only lead me nowhere. They don't seem interested in a two-way conversation, 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.

one else

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

going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how

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

I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I figured you'd know where to find

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

is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky.

and start anew."

human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even

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

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