I spent the remainder of the night staring out at the moonlit trees, reminiscing and enjoying the whole of the silent night to myself. This was when I truly felt at peace, stretching my limbs, strutting back and forth on the enormous lawn with the ducks-

"Still awake then?"

Good god. As if the days weren't painful enough to get through, here she was striding towards me in a ridiculous frilly bathrobe. How was her hair in a perfect braid? Hadn't she just been in bed?

"Bloody hell, I thought I slept already, but I seem to somehow be having a nightmare."

"You know," she spoke through pursed lips, "There's an awful lot of property here. Don't you think you could tinker off and contemplate your miserable existence in the woods? Kitty worked so hard on the lighting out here, it looked so lovely before you disgraced it with your presence."

I stepped towards as my temper rose dangerously high.

"Look here, princess, I was out here first, and like you said, it's real big property. So why don't you move those dainty little slippers along."

She sighed with frustration and seemed to lose some of her rigid composure for a few seconds.

"Why must you bicker at me like this? I merely came out to ask if-oh bugger it. Kitty wants us to get along for the next 24 hours, then we ought to oblige her."

I crossed Ptolemy's tanned arms and narrowed my eyes at her carefully.

"For Kitty and Kitty only. Outside of tomorrow evening, I will continue to publicly declare my immense dislike for your snobbery and wretched attitude."

She sighed and started walking towards the garden. It was only now that I recognized a book in her arms. Anna Karenina. Well, at least now I knew she could read.

"Walk with me if you please, Bartimaeus. I've a matter or two to pick your brain on, so let us begin pretending to enjoy each other's company."

I sighed and fell into stride with her, ambling our way through the garden. Kitty truly had outdone herself with it, there were lights strung up in the trees and over the arbors. Imps with glowing behinds and smashed in faces fluttered around as overgrown, foul smelling fireflies. I glanced over at Elisia, she seemed much less rigid in the cool night air. Her bathrobe clung to her slight frame as she hunched slightly. Without the constant frown lines impending on her brow and her lips pursed tightly in disapproval, her pale face seemed very young.

"I was wondering about Kitty and you, actually."

"Kitty and I? you'll have to be more specific."

She seemed hesitant now, which was certainly a first.

"Yes. She's told me that she crossed over to the other side and…well I wont ask for details on her journey, that simply seems impudent. I have enough respect for Kitty at least to resist prying. But that's not particularly what I'm curious about."

"Go on. I am listening with great intent."

"Did you and her ever…have a relationship of any sort? The two of you just seem very close…"

I made a hacking noise in my throat. Good heavens the mere thought made my bowels twist in an all too earthly way.

"Oh spirits of Honorius and Nouda no! Don't get me wrong, Kitty's great, but eurngh. Wait, you did mean in the conventional…human…relationship way, right?"

She seemed to regain some of her composure now. She turned to me with piercing green eyes.

"Yes, I suppose. I recognize the long standing discord between human and djinn, but you two do seem unconventionally close."

"Whoa, what?! Asking about our experience in the other world is too personal, but no bloody problem, I'll fess up about my sex life right now. Hey, since I'm airing out my dirty laundry right now, wanna know exactly how long it's been for me? Cause it wasn't with Kitty, but I'll tell you what-"

"God, stop, that wasn't what I was implying, I wouldn't do Kitty the dishonor-"

"The dishonor?! Yeah right. Do your research, honey, cause they sang songs about me-"

"Ugh, I didn't want to hear about-"

"Exactly what you asked? Cause I'm just delivering. You most certainly asked for it. Why the burning curiosity, Elisia? You feeling a little lonely?"

"Stop! Just stop! I was asking if you had affections for Kitty beyond a platonic friendship. God, and that's disgusting! I have enough trouble being in the same room as you, demon. The mere implication is degrading and beyond anything I will even bother to address properly-"

My skin was boiling. She was boring into my eyes, flames dancing in her eyes. I stepped close enough to feel the heat emanating off her body.

"Don't. Call. Me demon," I said through gritted teeth. She stepped forward, the usual haughty look returning to her perfect face.

"Oops. Slip of the tongue. What with all these progressive movements being made and your kind gaining more and more respect with each day, I really do usually think of you as a djinni. Really. But when you act like a taciturn, backstabbing, manipulative evil demon-then that's what I'm going to call you."

Seething, I clenched my hands into fists at my side.

"You know what? Enjoy your walk. I hope a pack of ravenous wolves comes down from the mountain and shreds you from limb to limb. I'll see you tomorrow. I just can't wait to pretend we get along for a whole evening."

I stormed off towards the house, cursing my promise to Kitty as I went.