Sharon isn?t a beauty queen but neither is she ugly. However when one lives in a world where Beauty is the norm, being simply attractive doesn?t really hold much weight. Sharon is mousy and meek, but with cause; she prefers to stay out of the limelight. Let?s face it, for her it is a survival instinct.
With no special skills to protect her self from the multitude of supernatural beings that populate Rhy?Din, Sharon has found other ways to keep herself alive. Primary among them is to be considered the least threatening anywhere at any given time. So far, her tactics have worked, (or so she tells herself.) She?s yet to account for the dangerous attentions of some of Rhy?Din?s most infamous, like DCH and the Lord Travanix.
Oblivious to everything save her intended target for interview, Sharon realizes others are likely to be in the Oracle offices; she just isn?t paying them any mind. Green eyes widen behind thick ugly glasses as she watches the Count take hold of her hand.
?Wait a moment, what had he said again??
Perplexed and still a bit thrown off, she thought she heard Talomar mentioning Gav. Not her most favorite person in the office. Something about a weasel... Sharon doesn?t like those critters, they are dirty and mean. But?
?What?s Gav got to do with weasels??
The thought is chased away as she suddenly realizes how amazingly quick RPS is. She?d only mailed her invite to the Count last night. RPS guys sure do take their jobs seriously!
?Wow! Gotta give them a bonus!?
Sharon?s attention snaps fully back on the Count as she hears his invitation to the cafe.
A date?! She?d never be that presumptuous; she realizes she?s the inferior species in this realm.
Still this is beyond fortuitous for our heroine; this is like getting her cake and eating it too. Although Sharon never has understood that phrase because when you buy a cake, aren?t you supposed to eat it too?
Before she could nod in agreement, he kisses her hand!
Poor Sharon, a woman of over thirty, (just turned last month), unmarried, virginal and not that attractive (by Rhy?Din standards that is), simply isn?t used to such attentions. Rather than flirting with her, most threaten to kill her. She?s gotten use to that.
But being treated like the Count is treating her right now?!
Sharon is out of her depths and unfortunately it shows. Wide eyed blink, blink, blink at the Count as cheeks flare ruby red in a blush to end all blushes. A few rushed stammered words, each tumble over the last in an awkward sound only Sharon could accomplish with such finesse.
?I, ah, I, um, er, ah, sure. That w-w, er, w-w-w-wo-would, um, ahhhh.? Embarrassed pause ?Yes!? followed by a rapid bobbing of her head in many nods of agreement.
Sharon is willing to let the Count lead her anywhere he wants. That is, as long as she gets her interview!
Sharon may be merely human but she has one mad skill; investigative reporting. She?s more than just good at it. It is her shinning ability. Mortal, clumsy and often cowardly, (you would be too if everyone you met could kill you easier than blink their eyes); Sharon is excellent at her job.
Her motto is: always be prepared. (No, she never was a Boy Scout!) It simply means Sharon has everything she needs on her to conduct her upcoming interview with the Count. No rooting around in her desk for image orbs, or scrambling for her notebook; everything is neatly tucked inside her pouch of many holdings purchased at Mad Madame Mim?s located in the Marketplace ~ (yes, shameless plug, but you?d do it too for those awesome discounts!)
A smile of pure pleasure practically shines from her face, so pleased is she to get this opportunity. There is a lot riding on this, more than Talomar may be aware of. Sharon has more deadlines than just those set by her editor, Amal. That is, if she cares to keep her head on her shoulders.
Sharon happily allows him to lead her towards the exit, while striving not to trip over her own feet. Never once does she stop to consider what kind of trouble she might be in, she has no idea about Count Longden?s true nature. Besides, what?s to cause suspicion; it?s the middle of the day.
Monsters hunt at night. Mostly.
Silly girl doesn?t bother to leave a note saying where or with whom she?s gone. Sadly, they haven?t yet replaced Bruce, the receptionist, so there is no one for Sharon to mention it to on the way out.
Yet as the exit nears, a stray thought does cross her mind about slavers and how they should not be trusted. Lord Travanix had creeped Sharon out severely, and had forced her to question the wisdom in seeking out such dangerous types. But any reservations towards Talomar are quickly dismissed because?
?The man had run for Governor, he?s got to be a good guy!?
Luckily for our intrepid heroine, Gav and Des may have witnessed their departure and should Sharon come up dead or missing, they?d have a clue as to where to begin investigating.
Sharon Gossip
Oracle Reporter