Merissa gave her time. Let Sharon work it out and slowly retreat back into her own chair.
She laid a hand on Sharon's knee. "You know, I was quite the accomplished thief. Back in my day."
"Really?"
Merissa covered her mouth as she gave a soft laugh. "Oh, yes. Started out as a simple pickpocket on the streets of Essryn. Lots of coins and trinkets up for the taking there. Especially in my neighborhood."
Sharon narrowed her eyes. Cocked her head. "Wait...were you—?"
"My
family was rich. I, however, was not. At least, I didn't feel like it. Believe me when I say that I had a wonderful childhood. I was as spoiled as milk left out in the Essryni sun." She laughed again. "As I got older, though, I felt more and more...hollow. Like I was missing a piece of myself that I would never find in all the lavish trappings of my family's mansion. Father always used to complain bitterly about thieves, go on these long-winded rants about them over supper. And, well, it caught my attention, this daring life of thievery. This...foreign concept of earning one's own keep in life."
Merissa shifted in her seat. Became more relaxed, yet still maintained proper posture. "By the time my family announced that they had arranged a marriage between myself and some other rich lord, my skills were honed enough to go professional. And so I did. I heard my family disowned me for abandoning them and their plan for me." She shrugged. "Their choice."
"Did you meet Charles in Essryn?"
"Oh no, dear, I met him here. I lived from contract to contract in Essryn, made a name for myself, a solid reputation in the underworld of the Great Jewel of the Desert. Eventually, I got a contract from a representative of one 'Mr. Winters' of Reajh. I took on the job, and...it became more of a permanent thing." Merissa grinned mischieveously. "I actually got Charles his job with him."
Sharon's smile cracked open into a grin of her own. "No, no, no, wait...seriously? I always sort of thought, well, that it was the other way around or something."
"Oh yes, dear. Charles was little more than common hired muscle back then. Mercenary work, protection, all of that. Our paths crossed a few times, I as the thief and he as the muscle trying to stop me. He actually landed a punch on me once. Got my blood pumping, that. Ah...we were so young then. Anyway, I simply used my position in Mr. Winters' establishment to get him a better offer than he'd ever gotten, and so he took it."
Merissa's eyes wandered up and away, carried along by the winds of nostalgia. "That was fourteen years ago. We had worked together for about a year when I had Niko with him, and then...everything changed. My whole outlook on life," she snapped her fingers, "just like that. I didn't very much care for the life of thievery and adventure anymore, and so I retired from it. My son, my little Niko, became everything to me. And here I am today." She looked back to Sharon. Smiled. "The wheel of time could turn back a thousand times, and a thousand times I'd choose to live this very same life—I'd not change a single thing. I've lived a life well worth living."
The orange light of the fire danced across Merissa's body. Glinted in her golden brown eyes. "Your sister is a precious gift, Sharon, just like Niko is to me. I love little Siro like a granddaughter, but I know her life would be far worse off without you. I can't tell you how to make your own way in this world, Sharon, I can only share my own tale, for what little good it may have been. You have to be your best self, whoever that self may be. If this path you're on now is your true calling, like the life of thievery was mine, then you must
master it. For Siro."
Sharon took in everything Merissa said. Internalized it. Felt a warm bond between herself and this woman who had seen and done it all.
"I understand."
Merissa smiled again. "Good! Good." She stood up. "Why don't you run along home now? I'm sure Siro misses you dearly. I'll tell Charles what happened with you today. You're young, just like we were once. He'll understand."
Sharon smiled back. Stood up herself with the apple and soft roll in hand. "Thank you, Merissa. For everything tonight."
Merissa extended her arms. Gave Sharon a hug. "Of course, Sharon, of course." They separated. "Take another apple, will you? Tell Siro they're from Nana Merissa. I know how much she loves the red ones."
Sharon did just that, then opened the front door. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow, then."
And with that, Sharon left. Started down the street to her own neighborhood. A gaunt, skeletal reflection of the one she was leaving.
* * * * *
Charles almost smiled when he heard Gabriel's answer. "Good. Good. I'll see to it that this will be well worth your time." He watched him walk over to Jorge. "I'd get some rest if I were you, but you're free to do whatever you like for the rest of the night. Tomorrow morning we'll meet at Mr. Winters' estate. Get our pay and our orders on how to proceed then."
Jorge walked into the room, picked up Cass by the arm. She whimpered meekly as she was lifted to her feet. "Holy hells, you barely weigh more than a house cat soakin' wet, don'tcha?"
"W-what?"
Charles started for the bedroom door. "Alright. Let's go. We've been here too long already."
Jorge tapped her shoulder with his newly loaded pistol. "No funny business, and you'll have a nice night. Got it?" Then to Gabriel, "Hey, you wanna help keep an eye on her, that's all good with me. Elves are real slippery from what I hear."
Charles left the safehouse first. Jorge, with Cass close at hand, followed.
And they disappeared into the night.
(((Aven and Gabe may have some responses/actions here that I might need to react to. If not, let me know and I'll get started on a new thread for the next day leading to the meeting at Mr. Winters' place)))