"Whaddya mean my people skills need work? I'lll have you know I was real popular back ho- Hey!" Brandy's complaints were summariyl ignored, as Alice moved over and knocked on the front door again. Despite her protests and arm-flailing, it didn't seem she was going to manage to get the werewolf's attention, so with a pouty 'hmph!', she instead moved to inspect the ornate bird bath once again.

Meanwhile, Alice would have to wait a good few minutes, before the door finally creaked open again. A still-scowling elderly Elmswood-woman peered out from the crack, eyeing the beastgirl with slight disdain. After hearing the wolf-girl's little spiel though, the old woman unlatched the chain-lock on her door and opened it more fully. She looked over the little alchemist's shoulder, over at where the goat-girl was busy poking and re-angling her head to get a good look at the yard-decor, before returning her gaze to Alice.

[color=f26522]"Yes, I heard your friend the first time."[/color] The old buzzard said, with an unfriendly and somewhat condescending tone to her voice.[color=f26522]"I take it you've read my instructions regarding the request? I mean no offense-"[/color] except she clearly did, judging by the way she had her arms folded infront of her and was looking down on ALice as if she was some kind of filthy street-urching. [color=f26522]"- but are you sure [i]you two[/i] can manage this task? Francoise is a pure-blooded, pedigree Aulderian Royal Poodle, purchased from the Clavenstone Kennels in south-east Aulder."[/color] She began to drone on and on about the various merits and signifigance of her prized pooch... Eventually though, after about ten or so minutes of pompous self-blustering, she seemed to finally return to the realm of the present.

[color=f26522]"Suffice to say, if you take on this task, you and your friend will both be personally responsible for any and everything that concerns Francoise's well-being and appearance while out. I trust this is abundantly clear, young miss?"[/color] The old bat half-asked, half-instructed, half-threatened(?) the werewolf-lass before her.

By this time, the aforementioned Francoise had appeared behind his owner. He was a king-size black poodle, with an almost comedically stereotypical poodle-cut, having puffs of fur on his rear, chest, top of the head, at the ends of the ears and around the ankles of each leg... But pretty much shaved everywhere else.... He had a certain snooty demeanor, standing with his nose held upwards towards the sky, and a stand-offish and arrogant air about him. This was a doggy who was just as full of himself as his owner was it would seem.

[color=f26522]"And just so we're clear, you will not be using a leash. Such barbaric instruments could chafe and damage Francoise's neck after all, so make sure you keep a close watch on him. And do not let any of this village's rotten little children put their grubby mitts on him, or else you'll have to spend the rest of the evening bathing him. No feeding him strange or unfamiliar foods either, Francoise is on a strict and carefully regulated diet. And have him back before sundown, in the same condition as he is in now. Do I make myself clear, young missy?"[/color] The old battle axe laid on a few extra rules and then  bent forward, staring daggers into Alice's eyes, that partly wrinkled and crow-feet-laiden face coming dangerously close to the beastgirl's own face.

... Elsewhere, Brandy had managed to spot a field mouse, and was now happily trying to stalk it while the little rodent stealthily made itws way towardds old lady Elmswood's vegetable garden... Showing no signs of attempting to scare or stop the little critter from whatever mischief it was up to...