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."

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

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

you

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

confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I've

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

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

sense that it-he-would

of on the nose,

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

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

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 of dead

one else is out

Grimoire, little human thing?" the spirit

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

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

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

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

frame of green trees surrounding a sliver

and start anew."

This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to have

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

movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes