Grit Gate speaker happy to talk to you even when disliked

I arrived at Grit Gate disliked by Barathrumites. I was jumped by Hortensa and Mafeo, killed both, and spoke to the speaker. It (Otho?) was still willing to accept my application notwithstanding Q-Girl was actively trying to kill me. It seems like the Speaker should be telling you to eff off if you’ve got bad reputation and they’re trying to murder you.