• Bear King sat in a giant chair at the end of a black and white checkered room. It gave Alice a headache when they entered, the floor blended into the walls and there were no windows, just candles of different sizes to supply the large room with light.

    "Ah, Honey Queen. Alice. What brings you two here?" Bear King boomed, his voice so loud and strong. He was not angered by their presence. He liked when the two ladies would visit him.

    Alice looked up at the giant of a man. Like a giant ape, Alice estimated his was three time as tall and five times wider than the average human being. He was hairy and wore furs of other giant animals that he claimed he killed with his bare hands. His face was like a gorilla's, a flat forehead with a black spade tattoo on it and his mouth and nose were close together. Bristly black hair stuck out from his head, under his bear head hat. He smiled at the ladies as they curtsied.

    "Bear King, Alice and I have come up with an idea to celebrate the completion of the castle," Honey Queen started.

    "Oh yeah? What's that?" he asked excitedly.

    "We host a ball for everyone on this island. It will give you a chance to meet some eligible ladies and we could all have some fun," she grinned, proud of her idea.

    "That's a wonderful idea! As soon as the castle is complete, I will host a ball!" Bear King turned in his seat. "Skunk Ace, go plan the ball."

    Alice then noticed the ugly Skunk Ace in the corner before he saluted Bear King and flew off. She found him to be very queer. After every sentence he says, he says "gas" and Alice gets the impression that he is backwards and could be a lying thief. She held her nose as the gas from the giant sack on his bag wafted through the air. It was poisonous gas and could paralyze one's body.

    "A ball, huh?" Pin Joker stepped out of the elevator with his arms crossed in front of his chest. He saw Alice as her eyes fell on him and he looked away at nothing in particular. "It would lighten up all the workers' spirits," he looked back at Alice, "and get Alice's mind off of a certain man," he whispered but only Alice heard.

    "Alice, do you know how to dance?" Honey Queen asked her, ignoring Pin Joker's presence.

    "Yes, I know how to dance," Alice replied, remembering the days that Chester would teach her how to dance while on the raft.

    "Great, then you could help clumsy Pin Joker over there look good," Honey Queen winked at Alice, who was holding in a giggle.

    "Hey!" Pin Joker shouted, angry and embarrassed but everyone ignored him.

    "Dance, you two!" exclaimed Boo Jack who had just walked in. He was big and fat and had the face of a pig. He shoved Pin Joker towards Alice as Honey Queen urged her to Pin Joker.

    Alice had her hands up, waiting for him to come into place but he was unsure of what to do. She took his left hand into her right and put his right hand on her left hip before she placed her left hand on his right shoulder. He blushed, embarrassed that she had to show him where to put his hands. Alice only smiled, wanting to push the whole touch thing out of her mind and leave.

    They stood there for a few minutes until Alice pushed him backwards, sideways, pulled him forwards and sideways again. He soon got the feel for dancing but was as clumsy as... a clown. He tripped over his own feet and wouldn't look her in the face. Honey Queen, Boo Jack and Bear King watched, giggling in the background.

    "Please, don't embarrass me any further," Pin Joker whispered to her as they danced awkwardly.

    "I agree," she replied bluntly before she stopped. Pin Joker quickly let go of her and ran off down the hall from where Boo Jack came from.

    "He is so awkward," Honey Queen said as Alice joined her side.

    "I wonder why he likes Alice-chan so much?" Boo Jack asked out loud.

    "I think it all started when he started visiting her in town. How sweet!" Honey Queen smiled at her. "We wouldn't see him for the longest time, he was always down in the town visiting you."

    Alice blushed, remembering the days that Pin Joker would find her and try to spend the day with her. She resented him so much yet he kept on trying to win her over. Why did he like her? Why couldn't he find some other princess?

    "I shall go find him. I will see you all later," Alice started for the hall.

    "I wouldn't waste my time, he always comes back around for you, Alice," Boo Jack called to her but she ignored him.

    As she walked down the hall, she began to realize how the Trump Sibling treated Pin Joker. Like he was not even there or not part of the team. Was this pity that she began to feel? She stopped suddenly and tried to change her train of thought. Borodo. Yes, remember Borodo how he would always visit with flowers and then he suddenly left.

    "Remember how he stole your heart and left you," a voice said, echoing through the halls. "Remember how he broke his promise."

    Alice bowed her head. Why did he have to suddenly bother her?

    "Jorik would never, ever do that to you. He actually loves you for who you are," a large, pearly grin appeared in front of Alice.

    "A princess. Is it true? That I'm a princess?" Alice asked him.

    The grin seemed to nod and stretched wider. "Jorik owns a chest, you should ask him about it. But I will tell you in due time what makes you a princess."

    "I want to know now," Alice demanded as the pearly grin started to fade away.

    "In due time, my Alice. In due time," was all she heard before she found herself alone in the hall again.

    She stomped her foot anrgily and continued down the hall, trying to remember her childhood and how she became a princess.