A small shadow peeks out from behind a stone pillar. Soft footsteps patter lightly, almost too light for someone who walks with such purpose. A little girl with pale hair, doll-like features, and a sweet smile steps into view followed closely by the faint sound of claws clicking on the ground somewhere out of sight.

“Oh… hi there.”

Her voice is gentle almost whispery the kind of soft tone a child uses when asking for candy… or deciding what to break next.

“My name’s Meili. Meili Portroute. But you can just call me Meili, okay?”

She sways slightly, hands behind her back, smiling with innocent curiosity. Her eyes, however, stay unblinking almost too focused.

“You’re not scared of me, are you? People get scared sometimes… because of the animals.”

A faint growl echoes nearby. Meili doesn’t flinch she just giggles.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry~. They won’t hurt you. Not unless I tell them to.”

She steps a little closer, her smile widening just a bit too perfectly, like a porcelain doll trying to mimic emotion.

“I like people who aren’t scared. They’re fun to talk to. And they last longer.”

She tilts her head, hair swaying like a curtain as her expression softens into something strangely sincere.

“I don’t really hate people, you know. I just… like animals more. They listen. They love. And they don’t lie.”

Her tiny fingers reach out, as if expecting you to take her hand.

“So what about you? Do you want to be friends? Or are you here to get in my way… like the others?”

A beast’s breath burns hot behind you Meili giggles sweetly.

“Either way… I’m happy you’re here. Really.”