Victoria stared at the (literally) cold half-beast, seemingly pouting over her disappointing response. Still, she respected the unnamed half-beast's decision not to introduce herself for the time being or to explain as to her reasons why she wanted to keep silent about it. It quickly mattered little as they eventually arrived at the Guild Hall. Upon entering the large establishment, Victoria again turned to face her would-be party and addressed them.
"As I mentioned earlier," she began, "I have some reports I need to turn in. I shouldn't take long though, I'll be with you guys in a bit."
After saying her part, she temporarily departed the group and made her way over to one of the receptionists managing the front counter row. The receptionist, in particular, had recently become somewhat of a friendly acquaintance, probably due to coincidental circumstances that often had her turning in other regional reports and bounties to him, as he always seemed available to assist another client. Victoria had to admit that it was almost as if fate had created a routine for her to pass along paperwork over to this one specific individual as she visited the area. She didn't mind though and honestly, Harold, the receptionist's name, was very talkative and easy to get along with, though noticeably flamboyant in their approach.
"Oh! I see one of my favorite adventures is back in town!" Harold happily exclaimed as she approached his desk.
"Everyone is your favorite adventure, Harold," Victoria countered. She wasn't wrong.
"I know, I know, but you see me so often! You're gonna make all the other receptionists here jealous if you keep that up." he couldn't but lean in toward Victoria while his tubby profile pressed against the edge of the counter, "anyway, how can I help you this fine afternoon, Miss Crafte?"
Victoria produced the folder she carried to the Guild Hall and placed it on the countertop before nudging it towards Harold's direction, "Here to file in these reports for the Dalton scouting request."
"Ah, I see. How'd it go Did you run into any trouble?" he replied while taking the folder and checking its contents.
"Not at all. I'll be honest, it was kinda boring. Pretty uneventful really."
"I bet it was peaceful then?"
"You're not wrong about that. It was a chill and relaxing mission, that's for sure."
Harold looked up with a warm smile across his face, "That's what you should always look for. You explorers are always looking for trouble. You have to take it easy every once and awhile."
Victoria tried not to blush. Harold somehow had a way with words and making them sound so sincere, "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind during my next mission I'll be heading off in a bit for."
"You're going off again already? You are a thrill-seeker," Harold replied as he produced a small sack of coinage, "here's your pay for the request. Thank you for getting it done; keep up the good work, Miss Crafte."
"I always do," she jokingly said while taking her pay and leaving the deck, "take care, Harold."
"Don't be a stranger!"
As Victoria had figured, it wasn't hard to relocate the group and, unsurprisingly, finding Grimar along with them. Just as she was about to rejoin her companions, she arrived just as the smaller half-beast among them addressing Grimar and another individual.
"...your companion there, she seems both interesting, and cute."
"Who's cute?" Victoria blurted out. It didn't take long for her to realize who the half-beast was referring to. Upon this discovery, Victoria, also staring at the girl beside Grimar with intrigue, lowered herself to the half-beast's ear while ignoring her cold aura and muttered, "...you're right, she's adorable."