I huffed as we finally stopped walking. With Ace being our leader, we ended up heading back to the Clock Tower... "Should have known..." I said while rolling my eyes. Alice gave a nod in response with a small giggle. "Well maybe now we can go on our own... I've been meaning to head back there to talk to Vivaldi!" She spoke in a whisper, smiling.

Ace laughed as the three of us entered the clock tower. "Good morning, Julius~" He spoke. I blinked. Nightmare and Gray were no were to be seen... What was the only good thing about that? The place didn't smell! This was quite good... Since I wasn't in the mood to lose the little bit of food in my stomach. "Before we go, though, can we eat something? I'm starved!" I whined.

"Well, as much fun as it would be to join the two of you looks like Julius has some work for me~ I'll see you later little kitten." He said winking at me. I felt my cheeks heat up, brows furrowing. "Shut up! If you want to call me anything, call me Kiki." I muttered. It was bad enough that Boris went back and forth between 'Kiki' and 'kitten'... I didn't need him doing it too!

"Fine, fine. I'll see you later, Alice, Kiki." Before anything else was said, he was off. Alice started making coffee for Julius and something for me to eat. We had been lost for... too long with Ace. I rubbed my temples, sitting on the couch. That idiot was frustrating sometimes! It never bothered me at the Heart Castle, but now it was worse! "Ugh..." I groaned and lied down while closing my eyes.

The maid sighed unhappily. Peter had gone chasing after Alice, again. It would never be a problem... if he at least did his work! It was a problem when he left without bothering to touch the piling up paperwork... Carefully placing her hands around one of the red roses, she cut the stem and placed it in the small pile she had been collecting. Smiling at the bit she had, she sighed. "That should be enough..."

"What ya doing?" Ace asked, looming over her smaller built frame. "S-Sir Ace... This is making me a tad uncomfortable... I'm gathering some roses for her highness... Sir Peter left, again, so I have been doing work as every other maid does..." She explained, slowly removing the thorns from the delicate roses. "Is that so? Why don't you quit working for Peter~"

"What else would I do, Sir Ace?" She asked a bit sarcastically. There wasn't much else to do... She enjoyed working at the Heart Castle, so quitting wasn't in her thoughts... "Work for me!" He said with a laugh. Her brow arched lightly, turning to look up at him. "You're joking, correct?" He didn't seem the type to care for one specific faceless maid. She could be replaced just like everyone else...

"Nope. If you don't, I may have to just steal you from that thing~" He spoke darkly, completely contrasting the happy-go-lucky expression on his face. She stared at him in disbelief. "E-err... S-sir Ace..." He frowned at seeing her confused expression. "Well, I'd talk more about this but I gotta head to the Clock Tower. I'll see you later, Kiana~" As he walked away, she laughed nervously. "He bothered to remember my name? Maybe he is serious..."

I opened my eyes again, staring at the ceiling. Ace has always been slightly clingy or bothersome for... a while. I sighed. It started just a bit before the big ball took place... I was lucky enough to not have to go. A stupid grin crossed my face, feeling accomplished for being able to ditch it. "Well, I would say your food's done, but you seem too happy to move~"

Jumping from the couch my grin grew bigger. "Nah~ just glad my food's finally done! I'm kind of looking forward to drinking some of Vivaldi's tea. It's wonderful~" I purred, skipping into the kitchen. It didn't take us long to eat a decent sized meal, finishing, changing clothes, and bidding farewell to Julius. "We'll see you later~"

No One's POV;

Kiana skipped along the familiar trail; her long raven hair loosely resting over her shoulders and down her back. Alice followed behind her, wearing her usual attire. Kiana, however, wore a white dress shirt with a black vest over top it, a black skirt around her waist with white stockings. "If you jump any higher, your skirt might fly up." Alice said teasingly. Kiana just pouted. "Shush~ I'm not jumping, I'm skipping."

It slightly amazed her to see her in a skirt... It wasn't usual, to say the least. She wasn't a 'tomboy' nor was she 'girly'. Kiana was always the type to wear what makes her comfortable; whether it be short shorts or men's pants. If it was comfortable, well... she wore it. "So, is your logic still; if I can't sleep in it, it's not good enough clothing?"

She asked with a giggle. Her cheeks puffed out, crossing her arms over her chest. "Yes! I mean I pass out randomly... What if I end up wearing like a choker, pass out comfortably on my bed, then never wake up?" She asked in a half panicked tone. "Why would you be wearing a choker...?" Alice asked, tilting her head. "I don't know! Just what if!"

Time flew by while the two talked, noticing the Heart Castle peaking over the top of the trees. Screaming could be heard from within. "Peter probably ditched work... again." Kiana spoke with a sigh. He never wanted to do work... he always wanted to see 'his' Alice. It was her Alice! Well, not quite in that way. "How much you wanna bet he's not even here?"

She asked with a giggle. "That would be nice..." Alice said, half hoping she was right. Then they wouldn't have to run into him... Stupid pervert. "Let's take a break. These shoes are killing my feet." Kiana whimpered. Alice held her hand over her mouth, stifling a giggle. "All right. Is here good?" she asked. Kiana nodded. The two sat underneath the nice shaded area of ground. It was under a large tree, the rays of sun seeping through the little bits of leaves covering their spot on the soft earth.

"So, Alice, care to explain how you got here?" Kiana asked curiously. Alice's blue eyes glanced towards her, head tilted. "Well, long story short; Peter kidnapped me, claiming to love me. Then he forced me to drink the 'medicine' as he called it. I'm just waiting for the vile to refill..." she explained. She fingered the vile that rest in her pocket, pulling it out to see it barely further than it was before. "How exactly did you get here?" Alice questioned.

"That's a secret." Kiana replied, winking. Alice pouted. "But..."

"Mm, but nothing, Alice! Well, I'm sleepy! Nap time." she said. Alice tilted her head, but didn't argue it further. Kiana rolled from her spot, laying down and resting her head on Alice's lap. "I'm not a pillow..." Alice laughed softly. "Shh! Stay quiet, or Peter's 'Alice' senses will tingle and he'll be here in no time flat!" Alice went pale, laughing nervously. "Yeah, let's try to avoid that..." Kiana giggled, closing her eyes.

'Maybe one day I'll tell you about how I wound up in Heartland, but for now, you don't need to worry about that, Alice.'

Not far off, a figure stood. Watching. Intently watching the two carelessly out in the woods. "Such silly girls..." the figure chuckled.

Author's Note;So...

What do you think?

GAAHH~

I've been on hiatus. LOL.

I'm trying. I promise. Don't fret. I'll try.

I really will. I REALLY WILL.

I SWEAR TO YOU.

...

Kay, maybe another chapter will be posted. If not, sleepy time~