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."

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

wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are

you

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, annoyance flashing

swirling in my mind. "What do

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?

fact that Grimoire prefers his peace and quiet. Yet here you are, once again, stumbling into places

Ava: Not

makes sense that it-he-would have

it's kind of on the nose,

of me with a curled lip

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

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. Beyond our small circle of vibrant green, there's nothing but a vast expanse

no one else is

Grimoire, 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 and quiet. Wouldn't they

eyes narrow. "You're the one who 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 where to find

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

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

and start anew."

runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have any real empathy for my

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

something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me