While listening to the werewolf-alchemist's entire spiel, Karin didn't show much of any hints as to what she might be thinking or feeling. Just that same, well-trained and pracitced polite smile on her lips during the entire thing. It was a bit unnerving how she managed to pull off that face without ever needing time to prepare or practice beforehand... But then again, she [i]was[/i] a porfessional! Once Alice had finished up her explaining though, Karin's ears twittched a little and her plump tail lightly thumped the floor next to her own chair, before she finally spoke - while readjusting her glasses, of course.

[color=00a99d]"You seem to be misunderstanding something, Miss Keller."[/color] She started off. [color=00a99d]"The Guild isn't going to [i]punish[/i] either of you. According to what we've been told by eye-witnesses, and by you yourselves, you've completed the quest as per its specifications."[/color] The receptionistt stated, matter-of-factly, before raising a sole index-finger as if to put emphasis on what she was saying. [color=00a99d]"Miss Elmwood merely stated in her request that members of our Organization were to walk her dog. Nothing more, nothing less. If she added criteria or specific conditions to you ladies, in person, then those were nothing more than her own preferences. Since she failed to state those in her quest-application form, the Guild - and by extension, you two - aren't accountable for anything besides failing to return her ddog. Which you did."[/color]

The tanuki leaned back in her seat, stretched both of her arms up over her head and did a loud, intense stretch, complete with "hmmmmmmmmmmmmnnnnnnnnnnnn"-sound, before returning her focus to the little werewolf on the other side of her desk.

[color=00a99d]"The Guild is very particular about our paperwork, as it serves as a means for our members to pick out jobs and tasks theyu're suited for. If clients fail to include important details or specific conditions, then our employees could end up getting hurt or worse. Because of this, we require all such information to be clearly written down and submitted when a person makes a request of the Guild."[/color] The bespectacled beauty said, leaning forward with both elbows on the surface of the reception desk now. Hands cupped under her chin while she rested her head in them. [color=00a99d]"So don't you worry. Miss Bavaloure is totally on your side in this case, and if Miss Elmwood has any issues, she can take it up with our hall's Mistress. I'm sure that won't happen though. Mmhmm~"[/color] Karin giggled at the end, implying that the members of the Litroot G.O.R.E. Hall weren't the only one who feared the petite witch.

After clearing this up, and thus alleviating any of Alice's fears for possible repercussions or punishments that may or may not have included a severe spanking, or wooden horse-torture, Karin proceeded to open one of her narybty drawers, and began rummaging around in it.

... And rummaging...

... ... And rummaging some more...

... ... ... And even more...

... ... ... ... Now she got up tolook inside of it, while her eyebrow twitched, though her pro-like smile remained...

[i]Approximately 4.5 minutes later...[/i]

00a99d"Ahem! Yes, well! Anyway. Here's your pay, for your first joint quest. Congratulations, you two. I'll be sure to update your personal files later."[/color] The lazy, disorganized receptionnist congratulated, before putting a very paltry and unsatisfying number of coins onto the desk, sliding them over towards Alice. The total sum was about enough to buy a snack from one of the town's market stalls... A small one... For one person...

[i]Bounce, bounce, bounce! [b]CLOMP~![/b][/i]

"[b]Hey, hey! You ttwo done yet!?[/b]" A very excited Brandy suddenly appeared, right next to Alice, a piece of paper in her hand. "What's this quest?  It's got a super buff hunk on it! Do we like, get to go and hang with him? Search for a missin' piece of man-meat?" She was very excited. And had very sparkly eyes.

Karin took the note from Brandy's hand, gave it a look, and then gave Brandy a look. It was the look of someone who was trying to fathom how someone who looked like [i]that[/i] could have the mental faculties ofa  four-year-old..

[color=00a99d]"Miss Vanillarin..."[/color]
"Just call me Brandy, chief~!" Brandy gave a salute and stuck her tongue out. Karin was unplussed.
[color=00a99d]"... This is an advertisement for the village's yearly Strong-Man contest... Which was last month..."[/color]
"... Eh?"
[color=00a99d]"It's not a quest. It's an old ad that wasn't cleaned off the quest board."[/color]
".... Soooo... No hunks in trouble for a pair of hotties be all heroic-like and save?"
[color=00a99d]"No. None of that."[/color]
"... Boo."

Brandy looked more upset about not being allowed to go on a quest to save some muscly, burly, non-shirt-wearing men, rather than being embarrassed that she'd just gone and made it painfully apparent that she couldn't read, nor tell the difference between a colorfully and artistically drawn advertisement, and a piece of informative and plainly written quest-request. The little goat-girl's ears slouched and her tail dipped as she let out a 'Awwww' and slowly trotted back to the quest-board. Karin gave Alice a mixed expression.

[color=00a99d]"... I get that she's got enthusiasm but... Are you certain you want to be paired up with her? I'm sure there're other girls in the Hall who'd happily team up with you."[/color] The tanuki politely informed... Probably having Alice's best interests in mind, for the long-game at least...