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."

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

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

you

I think. I didn't mean to intrude on your, er, world: The spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing

my mind. "What do you

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 shallow. "Grimoire? You mean my magic book? How do you know about

prefers 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 Yet

sense that it-he-would have a

on the nose,

like you manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow

has it been since you were out 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

a feeling further questioning will 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

no one else

little human thing?" the spirit

on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace and quiet. Wouldn't they know

one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your own

"You seem to know him quite well. I figured

in mid-air. It's surreal, watching

canopy above, which has parted into a frame

and start anew."

spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure

I ask, unable to keep the worry

it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into