I ambled my way back to the manor and by the time I returned the windows were foggy with bustle. I could see Kitty and Nathaniel sitting at the study table, tea in hand, bent over a pile of papers. They seemed to be making a good living off doing little more than providing advice to the government and asking me to translate letters of foreign affairs. It wasn't like I was a necessary element, but for some reason I felt oddly comfortable here. Kitty had also been doing some research into my current ailment. The ailment, which was beginning to embarrass me to no end, was no other than sleep. It seemed that hopping into Nathaniel's body did have side effects, though they were long term. The plus side was that a few herbs didn't make me sneeze as much and silver could be in closer proximity to me before I felt it's burn. Nathaniel, however, was extremely disappointed to discover he had no special talents or hidden abilities after the whole disgusting affair. I also seemed to be able to digest human food a little better, though I still didn't quite see the point. Besides, I was already horrified enough that I kept dozing off every few days, I didn't want to get any closer to being human than I had to.

I watched the two of them huddled over their work, laughing with limbs entwined like a two headed serpant. They insisted I was being immature but really. I had my hand on the door handle when the door swung open. Elisia stood there in her usual perfect attire, though today it a little tighter than usual. A blue, long sleeved dress clung to her slight frame. She had high cheekbones and large green eyes that pierced the soul with an icy stare. Her dark hair was in a high bun as it always was, not a stray hair out of place. It was eight in the morning and she was showered, dressed and rushing about.

"If you'll pardon me Bartimaues."

"Whoa there sister. It's only just getting light out. Where the hell do you have to be at this time of the morning, eh?" She sniffed haughtily.

"I'm going to the store to get supplies before the storm if you must know. Perhaps I'll stop off and smell some perfume at the boutique. Who knows. Would you like the remainder of my agenda for the day, or are you only choosing this current moment to be an annoying little prick?" My cool was already wearing thin. It was simply too early for this nonsense.

"have you ever tried sitting down and relaxing for two seconds? Oh no, wait, that's probably impossible with a ten inch stick up your ass."

I quickly skirted around her and stomped up the stairs, cursing her name under my breath.

Kitty was coming down the stairs as well through the main hallway.

"Oh no bartimaeus, I haven't even had my coffee, please don't do this…"

"no no, it's fine, I'm behaving myself. In fact, I let her have the last word. Oh no, not today. She can skid off the road on the way to the village for all I care…"

Kitty shook her head and made her way back downstairs.

"Im fine with whatever stays between you two," she yelled up at me, "but so much as one nasty comment in front of everyone tomorrow night and youre both toast."

Her slippers made scuffling noises on the marble floors.

Christ I had almost forgotten. The party thing, whatever horrible thing was happening tomorrow. I groaned internally and retreated to my usual window seat on the fourth floor to doze off for a few minutes.

I dreamt of honeysuckle again. I had only been dreaming for a few weeks and I already had a recurring dream. The scent was so fresh and sweet, it made me want to lay down, but I was chasing it, somehow I kept coming up right behind the source and then it would disappear again…

"Bartimaeus!"

I quickly sat up, horrified and extremely irate to have been found and woken from my state. I growled in the back of my throat as I saw elisia standing above me, her lips pursed and hands on her hips.

"Kitty wants you downstairs." Her stony face revealed no reaction to my obvious discontent with her presence. She whipped around and trotted down the stairs.

I took several deep breaths and plotted her death as I helped kitty with the various letters and historical recollections.

"eh Bartimaeus, you seem downright moody." Nathaniel pointed out as we left the study to assist kitty in party decorations for the ballroom. I unclenched my fists.

"ha, yeah right. Moody doesn't even begin to describe it."

Nathaniel snorted. "Wish I knew what you mean. I don't think anyones ever gotten on my nerves than you, but the enmity seems bloody childish compared to you two. Oh well, it's only proper after all's said and done."

I opened a door for the almost crippled man-he had trouble breathing and kitty still made him walk to the other side of the house to help set up snack trays.

"first time youll ever hear me say this and the last, but I don't quite get your meaning."

Nathaniel sighed. "well, she's bred of a fine family, well educated and was brought up to be something of a traditionalist. Its best if shes married off to a traditionalist without any of the rebellion-causing ideas you managed to plant in kitty and I's head. You know the sort, bred into privelige, it's best for her sanity if she just remains within the confines of conservative life. No insult Bartimaeus, in fact, its intended as a compliment, but youre a very persuasive kind of creature to be friends with. Hell, you almost had me on your side when I didn't give two shits about anyone but myself. but uh, no one needs to know that. Either way, its just best for everyone if youre not friends with the girl."

Nathaniel entered the ballroom, which was done up quite extravagantly. I hadn't ever taken kitty for the kind of girl that throws a party, but she seemed to have connected with her feminine side after being with Nathaniel. Though I strongly suspected she mostly enjoyed the drinking aspect of the whole thing. Elisia wandered in with an armload of candles.

"Bartimaeus," kitty called, "can you fix this stupid bloody chandelier?" I stood next to her to eye out the chandlier.

"Whats wrong with it?"

"it's crooked."

"ohh. Mmm. As in…slightly to the left-"

"oh bloody hell bartimaeus, do you not see that? The whole right side of dangly things are all bent or something, just fix it…"

I sprouted a pair of wings and pretended to fix the right side, though whatever kitty was seeing had to have been a manifestation of her mind.

"Elisia," kitty called. I heard the four inch heels clack over towards kitty. "you do have a dress, right? Something formal? If not it's no thing at all to run into town-"

"oh yes, I have something. Ive never worn it before, it's such bad luck to wear the same gown twice." I felt my gag reflex start up.

"oh good, well that's wonderful. Um, Nathaniel and I actually have a friend, from London, he's here visiting for a few days and…well, I thought you two might get along nicely. I suppose I simply need to know if you were already bringing someone."

"Oh no, I hadn't even thought about it, really. But that would be lovely, how kind of you Kitty. Ha, I suppose I ought to start the process of sifting through men." I tried to remain silent, but I could hear my own eyes rolling.

"oh, good. Well then I'll see to it he comes. Now do me a favor and tell the cook we'd like an early dinner, would you dear? We've a long day tomorrow."

She clattered off.

"there! Perfect." I landed next to kitty gracefully.

"Bartimaeus. You know what I'm about to ask of you."

"we have gone through enough icy dinners kitty, it's better for everyone if I'm not about."

"Oh, I suppose you're right. Though I was really hoping you'd start throwing vegetables again..."

"I'll truly never forget the look on her face when the carrots and peas landed in her lap…"