"Oh, I like to leave all the London hostesses and high society affairs to mummy and Julia, but Prince George only came for the evening and I escaped to the gardens as soon as I was done with the greeting and eating. I imagine that was a bit cruel of me, as Bridey is such a bore. Poor Prince Henry is about Bridey's age and I was meant to keep Prince George entertained, so perhaps it was kinder of me to have left them at least each other for staving the dullness of it all off. Julia's still so cross she can't marry them. It's all perfect poppy."

The meandering monologue was delivered with disinterested sincerity as Sebastian, ever the child, was preoccupied more with the arrangements of pleasures than possible social prestige. More interesting to him was Oliver's situation, or rather, the opportunities it provided. "Then could you tell me about both? I've never known either of them."

It seemed ridiculous of him to question Oliver's situation when he had been brought to the Astral Plane.