Time was of no consequence to me in the other place; but if I were to make an estimate (also for you, who obviously needs me to spell everything out) it must have been a few long years before I was summoned again.

I was shocked to feel the tug; not angry as is my wont; which was just as surprising. The memory of the tug was jolted inside of me; as if something that was on the very tip of extinction was pulled back into the cloud, cementing itself in my consciousness as if it had always existed there. It made my essence buzz. My shock was to an extent that I transformed without thinking. (I am not usually this unprofessional. All of my appearances are planned meticulously, down to the specific pungent smells. Being a djinni is serious business.)

I was happily greeted by a series of wretched coughs; (Even when unprepared, I produce results.) the phlegm-filled and strained qualities told me that my summoner was an…old woman. With unhidden glee I checked my bonds for any mistakes. What luck it was that I'd come back after such a long time and go back immediately! More than that, I would get a meal out of it! (An old, wrinkly, possibly smelly meal…maybe I'll let the Grandma live her last few days in peace.)

Unfortunately, the summoning circle was impeccable. It was the work of an expert, that was for sure. Not one mistake…none except a very stupid one.

"Kitty." I muttered.

The smoke vanished with a pop. In front of me, blowing her nose with a gaudy black handkerchief, was my old friend. She had become smaller than I had last seen her, but other than that, there was not much that had changed. Maybe a few more wrinkles, lesser hair? But her eyes blazed just as brightly as I remembered. Her aura had grown milder, but it still glittered around her; radiant, welcoming and beautiful. She was tucked into a small, mauve couch, skinny legs crossed; a burgundy shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She had trimmed her silver hair next to her scalp.

"You look ancient." (An obvious joke. I have seen actual ancient things.)

She grinned. "Flawless observation as always, Bartimaeus."

"Uh..um..yeah…." (I swear I am very articulate. I used to debate head-to-head with Solomon! That is until my summoner would win the argument by the not very diplomatic use of Stripples.)

I looked away, unable to meet Kitty's bright eyes. She seemed happy to see me.

I wasn't.

"So…" I started, unable to bear the silence. "Did you call me here to accompany you to the afterlife? I'm sorry I don't know what that is…and I don't want to know, thank you very much."

She didn't answer. I could feel her gaze on me, unrelenting. I clenched my teeth, turning on her. My eyes glowed red as I stalked towards her couch, my form bubbling and frothing, black, slimy scales covering every inch; growing until I towered over her; my silver claw at her throat. My limbs encased her, blocking all light. (Fun fact: This is one of my least terrifying forms. If you're not impressed, don't lose heart! It's one the 'inspired' collection that I picked up in Athens once….my originals are a lot better.)

"Or do you want me to give you some kind of spectacular death instead of a boring one where you ache and wither away. It's okay…I'll make it quick…can't help the excruciating pain, though…"

Kitty's nose wrinkled and she looked up at me; with a gaze that was not filled with overwhelming terror.

"That's a horrid smell." (This was not inspired; it was my personal touch.) She commented, covering her nose with her handkerchief. It had "Kitty" embroidered on it with purple lace, with skulls and flowers at the border in the same color. (And people have the audacity to criticize my tastes.)

"You're as stubborn as ever." I said, sighing in defeat. I would like to call it a "tactical retreat"; because Kitty was the most stubborn person I knew (and I knew Faquarl), so forcing her would not work. I stepped away, shrinking into my earlier form.

"Are you doing that on purpose?" she asked, staring at me.

"Hm?" I muttered, settling on the rough carpet and crossing my legs. It was the most comfortable position I knew and my favorite one. I ran my fingers absent-mindedly through my hair, realizing that it was shorter than it should have been.

I started and looked at my hand. It was pale and spindly instead of brown and small; and instead of bare skin, cuff-links of a black coat-sleeve glinted on my wrist, reflecting off the sunlight coming from the window behind me. I opened my mouth to speak, but couldn't; staring at the weird limb like a gaping fish. It was a few moments before I gathered myself and took a deep breath.

"No wonder it was so uncomfortable to move." I clenched my fist, willing myself to change into anything else…anything…even an imp would do…...

But I couldn't.

"I've always wondered how he managed to stay in those clothes all the time." Kitty spoke, taking my attention. My gaze was fixed on the carpet, absentmindedly tracing the runes of the pentacle that did not bind me; trying not to think.

For once, thankfully; Kitty didn't wait for a reply.

"It's been almost fifty years.…..though I'm sure that's not a lot for you…"

Yes…but also no.

"I helped the government for some time…but I didn't get in it. They asked me, you know, Bart? They asked the most wanted criminal in the country to help run the government!" She scoffed, and I felt the corner of my mouth lifting up, but nothing more. She sighed.

"My parents would have been proud…..if I'd told them. No doubt, they would've welcomed me back with open arms…I know what you'll say; I should keep a good relationship with them."

I shrugged. Human relationships were none of my business; and beyond my understanding. There didn't seem to be any logic to them; and most of the time they seemed to be painful. (Of course, in contrast, us spirits have a very clear code of conduct; we are here for ourselves. It simplifies things a lot, really.)

"I don't know…I can ignore the spirits in the other place but still be connected to them….but humans have sooo many differences…and you also have to worry about time…"

"You're right about that." She said, a touch of sadness in her voice. "We don't have a lot of time. Some of us much less than others…"

My jaw clenched, but I calmed myself. There was no use getting worked up over something that had already happened. The past could not be changed, even by djinnis, no matter how spectacular (one of them) is.

"…Do-Do magicians still rule this place?" I asked, not knowing why. It didn't matter who ruled, and to me it mattered the least.

"No." Kitty said. "We've got democracy now…oh I guess you wouldn't know about that." She paused, explaining it to him. "Things are not perfect, but at least a lot more people can speak up if they're discriminated against."

"Heh…so magicians don't exist anymore?" I asked, knowing the small flame of hope in my heart was wishing for the impossible. Kitty sighed.

"No…" she said, playfully. "There's one sitting right in front of you. But we need special licenses to learn the skill, and there's a limit to how long a spirit can be kept in this world. There are also labor and abuse laws…I would know, I helped made them."

There was a certain sense of pride in her voice, a sense of pride we both shared. I looked up from the carpet at her, smiling for the first time since I had arrived.

"I removed your name from the lists….as far as London is concerned at least, you won't be summoned again."

My smile faltered. I straightened, my bounded essence buzzing once more. The flame of hope flickered into life again, expanding into a swath of emotions.

"You did that…..for me?" I asked, choking. (Yes…even I, hardened and veteran spirit,with an essence of steel; cry sometimes.)

She laughed. "Don't look at me like that. I know how much you hated it here. Friends do stuff for each other."

Friends do stuff for each other….

Friends….

You've been a good servant…

…I'm dismissing you right now….

"Nathaniel would have agreed in doing that too…he promised me."

Tears were running freely down my cheeks, an emotion I didn't think was possible for me. Not a second time…

"Do you want a 'kerchief?" Kitty asked, handing me one that was shocking pink with yellow embroidery. I reserved my judgment and blew my nose; my eyes widening at the sight of Kitty wiping her eyes. It was the first time I had seen her cry.

"I-I had lost hope of ever seeing him again…" she choked out, her breath hitching. "You…you guys promised to come back!"

"We were supposed to go back together!" Her voice was barely audible. I watched, unnerved as the old woman sobbed, her tiny shoulders shaking.

"Kitty…." I moved forwards and took her wrinkly hands in mine. The scene that I had been dreading seeing was unfolding in front of me and I; just as imagined, was helpless. What could I do? How could I comfort her? I could not change the past. I could not bring the dead back….and I had tried.

"I'm not in this form to make you sad….I just…can't change." I said, feeling my cheeks burn.

Kitty nodded, as if she knew the reason. I did not like that one bit.

"No...no…this is good. This is what we need." She clasped my hands, her voice thin as she spoke. "Nathaniel is a hero you know. A greater hero than Gladstone was! Much greater. He is in all the history books and records…."

I nodded, feeling something thaw in my chest. "He would have liked that very much."

"I know! But…they know of his sacrifice…but they don't know him. I've read everything...you know, the first ten or so years…I spent searching for both of you…I thought you were dead too…I could not bring up the courage to summon you until now…."

"But Nathaniel's dead." I spoke, and she froze. She gazed up at me, her piercing eyes muddled with grief.

"I should've died too."

I had said that without thinking, but it was one of the rare times I had said the truth. My head buzzed, as if something heavy was lifting itself from it. Kitty was clenching my hands tightly; her nails digging deeply into the skin, almost drawing blood. I looked calmly up at her.

"So, you both didn't keep you promise. You'd rather have died there than be here with me now?"

I sighed and slid back on the floor, tucking my knees under my arms. "No? Yes…?" I ruffled my hair, feeling uncomfortable and hot. "I just wish that dumb brat would not have sent me back and died alone! Not after all he put me through!"

I did not realize I was yelling.

"Why did he have to do it alone?" I asked, my voice lowering to a mumble. "He should have asked me to save him. He didn't keep your promise because, he kept the promise he made me…after all that time, he decided to be noble! He should've just listened to me before!"

"He was an idiot, alright." Kitty said, her voice calm.

I scoffed, nodding. "Exactly. Bloody noble idiot!"

"I miss him." We both muttered. I looked up to see Kitty smiling at me, the wrinkles bordering her tear-filled eyes deepening.

"You can come and go as you please, but could you come here sometimes? Just to talk..?" Kitty asked in a small voice as she prepared some hot chocolate. (I can't drink it, but it sure did smell nice. My best diet consists of two servings of imps, roasted slowly over a fire.) I leaned over the counter, smirking.

"What, Kitty? It's been fifty years and you've still not made any friends? Tut—Tut! What with all you charm and grace it-"

My extremely witty jibe was interrupted by a butter knife spinning towards me, (I am no expert, but I don't think that is normal behavior for old humans; but again, I may be wrong.) and I quickly hurried to catch it. I twirled it over my finger, smirking again.

"You don't have to ask." I muttered.