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 this

again. "Why are here, girl? This isn't

you

off-balance mentally and physically, it 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

confusion swirling in my 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

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

Not

sense that

on the nose,

did someone like you manage a contract with Grimoire? They inspect every inch of me with a

have some experience with the world. The way they roll their eyes and the timing of their humor feels very human. Much more

gaze sweeping around us. I hesitate, then follow

one else is out

thing?" the

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 know better

one who came barging in here. Shouldn't you know where

him," I counter. "You seem to know him quite well. I

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

they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue

and start anew."

its human-like mannerisms, doesn't seem to

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

horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes