"Alice," the scream of jubilation echoed down the hallway, bouncing off the stone walls until it reached the ears of the Clock Maker.
Julius' eyes looked at a clock on his wall, and then glanced out the closest window to see the afternoon sun beating down heavily on the window. He sighed and picked up another wheel Alice had polished and gently set it in before picking up his screwdriver and another screw. "That Devil Rabbit is early," he muttered irritably under his breath.
Peter White shoved the door to Julius' room and office open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. Julius looked up from his work to glare at the rabbit man, fire burning in his silver eyes. "Be more careful idiot or else I'll have to start billing you for the repairs from the damage you do to my tower! You already owe me for the damage you did in Alice's room just before the last ball!" He snapped in annoyance.
The rabbit ignored him and casually strode into the room, looking around himself in confusion for a moment before placing both hands palm down on the desk and leaning closer to Julius. "Where is Alice?" He said politely, the annoyance he felt still evident in his voice however.
Julius looked back at the clock he was fixing and tightened the screw. "She's not here, and would you please stand back? Your breath smells like carrots and it's making me sick." He said and reached for the last wheel. Peter scowled at him a moment and leaned back slightly, crossing one arm over his chest and using the other to cradle his chin.
"What do you mean she's not here? This is where she lives, so she should be here!" He frowned sadly.
"She's not here. The Amusement Park's Cat and the Bloody Twins took her away to play at the Park; The Hatter has also invited her for tea. There's no way of knowing when she'll be back." The White Rabbit glared at him through thinned eyes. "Go ahead and search, she's not here." The rabbit 'humph'd' and walked away, slamming the door shut as he left. "Stop slamming my doors!"
After a long moment of silence, Alice emerged front the private bathroom. "Is he gone?" Julius nodded and Alice took her seat across from him. "Thank you," She said with relief and picked up another wheel, the rag she was using and the gold polish. "I didn't think it was possible, but he seems to be more annoying now than before Blood brought me back." She huffed. "He follows me everywhere and it's driving me mad!"
"I've noticed," the Mortician said bluntly and reached for his still hot mug of black coffee.
"I'm glad he has yet to figure out where I've been hiding. He really does seem to trust you when you say I'm not here though, so there really is nothing to worry about I guess." She sighed and returned to polishing the wheel.
"I suppose the only true worry we should really have is if he ever decides to really go to the Hatter's Mansion and gets himself killed." Alice gave him a questioning look. "Because then we'd have to worry about him not showing up any more." Alice laughed, despite the sadistic meaning behind the rare joke; it was a humorous thought to her. "However," Alice stopped her laughing immediately. "I was serious when I said that Blood has extended an invitation."
"Any idea when?"
"Read for yourself," He said and handed her the envelope with the Dupre family crest seal in wax keeping the letter closed. Alice took the letter opener from his desk and carefully opened the top and reached inside for the white card.
"It's certainly formal," She observed and read. Alice gasped and abruptly stood.
"What is it, what's wrong, Alice?" The Undertaker said with concern.
"It's going on right now, oh goodness. I'm sorry to leave Julius, but I'll head back as soon as night falls." She gasped and turned to leave.
"No," Julius said loudly and caught her arm. Alice turned to face him with curiosity. Julius averted his eyes, choosing to look instead at the lace and ribbon bracelet on her wrist then met her eyes again. "Don't bother with wandering around at night anymore. Stay the night in that territory and come back when it's light." Alice was about to question the sudden burst of concern, but the intense look in his eyes told her not to question him. Alice nodded and he released her. As she headed for the door he called out to her, "And Alice, remember to close and lock your windows and lock your door. It's a nasty habit of your's not to do so; this world is more dangerous than you think." He warned and Alice left, slightly confused.
