Honestly, if it hadn't been for the fact that A-Qing had been calling out her name before saying that, Alice would have been so sure that the girl had been looking for someone else and just mistook her for that person due to blindness.

After all.. Alice? Having friends? Those two things certainly don't go together most of the time except for when said friends are imaginary. And with two of them having disappeared only recently, the word stings a little.

Thankfully - or so she thinks - Alice doesn't have to worry about the momentary hurt look in her eyes as she sips from her tea. Not like the girl can see it.

"You'd consider someone a friend so easily?" Usually there might have been a bit more bite to it, but A-Qing is young. Alice can't fault her for it. It's more just a question than a snappy comeback. "Why are you asking? Do you need help with something?"

See, she'd rather answer requests for help ten times over than having to deal with someone calling her a friend.