"Lost, aren't you? You certainly look the part. Happens a lot around here," Alice remarked, her golden eyes betraying a mix of indifference and faint curiosity.

"My dolls see and hear everything in these woods," she flicked her wrist, and a doll dressed in midnight hues floats beside Alice, its porcelain face was expressionless. "This one spotted you—her name's Hourai. Harmless enough, though she does tend to scare visitors."

"You're not the first to stray too far. But since you're already here, might as well make the best of it. The Forest of Magic doesn't take kindly to the naive," she added, leaning in with a playful smirk. "Oh, and one more thing—I'm a youkai. Still want my help?"