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."

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

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

you

me. My magic, I think.

my mind. "What do you

to handle. "Not here, specifically. But you have a penchant for barging in where you're not expected. Grimoire doesn't like

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

Not Yet

that it-he-would

of on

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

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,

only in satiating their own curiosity. "How can I reach Grimoire?" The spirit blinks, their gaze sweeping around us.

else is out

human thing?" the spirit asks, crossing

all, they went on and on about how Grimoire doesn't like to be disturbed and enjoys

came barging in here.

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

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

magic is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame

and start anew."

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 my

so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into