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."

I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry.

again.

you

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,

I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've never been here

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 my veins, my heart beat rapid and shallow. "Grimoire?

fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places you don't belong "I'm

Ava: Not Yet

that it-he-would have

it's kind of on the nose,

every inch of me with a curled lip and a slow shake of their head. "Has the world

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, perhaps?" They shrug. "Time is

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

no one else is

thing?" the spirit

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

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

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

spirit groans, dramatically falling flat on their back in mid-air. It's surreal, watching

parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should

and start anew."

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

to keep

movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine