Chapter 7: Ticking Hearts

Ali went to the castle with Ace, after several times of getting lost. Vivaldi ordered him to be beheaded but Ali begged her to give him another chance. When Vivaldi finally agreed Ali finally made it back to the clock tower. Julius looks up and sighs of relief. "Where have you been?" He asks coldly
"Well... I ran into Elliot, we ate cake, Ace kidnapped me-" Ali says nonchalant. Julius interrupts.
"Ace what?! Did he hurt you?!"
"No. Only thing he did to me was gave me a haircut." She shows him her now shortened hair. Julius looks at her in amazement.
"Ahem... It looks good."
"Thanks. Oh yeah. Julius I got invited to a ball."
"Crap that day is already here." He looks like he's dreading the idea.
"Huh you're going too?"
"Everyone has to go."
"Oh."

Silence fell over the room. Julius is working on a clock. "Grandma told me that everyone here has clocks for hearts. Is that true?" Julius keeps working, then stops. He takes his glasses off.
"Come here." Ali walks over. He gently pulls her head close to his chest. She can hear the ticking of a clock in his chest. Ali can feel tears form in her eyes for some reason.
"Julius..."
"Are you afraid of me now? For the work I do?"
"No. Julius... I could never be afraid of someone like you. Your kind. Even though I've only been here a short while, I feel like everyone here is dear to me."
"Ali... you're too kind."
"No. I'm just truthful. I'm just an ordinary 17-year-old girl."
"Will you go back...? To your world?"
"I haven't decided yet" Even though she pretty much has the answer in the back of her mind.

She doesn't know how long it's been since her talk with Julius. But lately it's only been day and night. She's walking down the streets with Elliot, Blood, and the adult twins. "You know miss. The ball is coming up real soon." Blood says.
"I know. I still don't know what I should wear." Alice says a bit embarrassed. They all step in front of her and stare. "Um guys?"
"You look really cute when you blush sis." Says Dee.
"Yeah." Dum nods in agreement.
"S-stop harassing her." Elliot's face is red.
"Your thinking pervy thoughts Bloody chicken rabbit." The twins say.
"I am not!" Blood takes Ali's hand.
"You do glow more when you make that face miss." Ali blushes more.
"I'm nothing special." Ali says humbly. "I'm just an ordinary girl."

Blood investigates her, circling her. "Blood what are you-"
"I think you would look good in a sleek and sexy black gown." Everything is quiet but only for a moment when,
"No way Blood!" Elliot outbursts. "I think a pretty long and sleek violet would be perfect for her!"
"Shut up bloody chicken, sis would look great in red!" Both the twins say.
"You jokers are kidding right?" Says a voice beyond the fighting four. They turn and Boris and Gowland are there. "She would look great in a light blue."
"The hell you talking about boy?" Gowland says. "How about a goldish yellow?" Someone laughs behind them. Ace, Vivaldi, and Peter walks over.
"Yeah right. Green would suit her." Ace says with a smile.
"You bore us. A brilliant silver would make her look radiant!" Vivaldi practically fangirls over the idea. Peter stands in silence then says.
"How about white?"

Ali couldn't believe that so many people were fighting about what she should wear. Julius just happens to walk by and Ace swings his arm around him. "Julius! Tell us what color dress you think Ali should wear!" Julius stares at her for a while. They wait and wait.
"Teal." He says then walks off.
"We must take you shopping Ali!" Vivaldi says.
"We could all go to prove who's right!" Ace says.
"Yeah! Let's go sis!" The twins take her arms.
'Why me?' She thinks to herself.