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 like

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

you

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 habit of

confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you

penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed, you know,"

peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling

Not Yet

sense that it-he-would

on

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

way they roll their eyes and

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

else is

thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

aback, I protest, "I 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 and quiet. Wouldn't they

barging in here. Shouldn't you know where your

I counter. "You seem to know him quite

mid-air. It's

a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver

and start anew."

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

possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry

They sit up so abruptly it makes