He didn't really answer at first, just studying him for a long moment. Now that he knew Shannon was blind, Eli could take a good look at him without worrying about being caught for staring. Shannon was as handsome as originally thought to be, but there was a solid confidence to him that didn't look like it led to prideful posturing. It was that more than his good looks that drew his eye to him, but ears and tail on a man obviously older than him didn't hurt any. "You don't have to downplay it for me. I'm not going to treat you any different," he said, seemingly out of nowhere. If they were going to talk, then they were going to do it on Eli's terms, which mean equal footing.

There was a soft laugh from him and he looked at his pencil for a moment. "I'm going to keep my journalistic integrity. My dad taught me better than that," he replied seriously. "If I ever end up like that worm, I'll put away the typewriter and never write another article again. Journalism is about sharing the truth, not about spreading lies that will get you the front page."