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."

shake my head, trying to refocus. "I'm sorry. I've never seen

again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't a place for casual

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

mind. "What do you mean? I've never been

long-suffering sigh, like I'm 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, you know," Energy fizzes

fact that Grimoire 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 trying to connect with my book.

Not

It makes sense that it-he-would

it's kind of on the

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

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

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. Beyond

else

little human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

thought you were going to tell me. After all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys his peace

barging in here. Shouldn't you know where

"You seem to know him

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

the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just set the

and start anew."

down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my life. I'm sure it's even worse

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

abruptly it makes me