Drew shrugged as he handed the coffee over, seeing the look of confusion come across Esmée’s face. A part of him considered adding an explanation for his second cup, though with or without it, it was clear she wasn’t going to turn down free coffee. Drew hadn’t ever been the smoothest of individuals, social awkwardness seemed to follow him through his interactions and relationships with others. While he was aware of the fact, it hadn’t ever been anything he’d felt the need to address, though part of him worried the entire interaction might look strange. Really, it came down to the fact that these days, the only people he even began to feel a sense of kinship with were his packmates. Having always been a bit of a loner, especially given the circumstances he’d fallen into in the times he’d gone against his nature and opened himself up to others, it wasn’t something that had ever bothered him. Though, belonging to a group, and for as long as he had, seemed to have shifted those feelings ever so slightly. “No problem.” He replied, adding no additional flourish to his response.
Nodding at her comments regarding the weather, he turned his eyes skyward momentarily before refocusing on the woman in front of him. “Yeah, well, that does tend to happen. We’re almost in November, so it’s all downhill from here. On the plus side, it doesn’t snow every year, so maybe we’ll have a mild winter again.” Naturally he heard Esmée’s protest when he handed her his jacket, though the action was already done, and not something he would’ve thought twice about had she not mentioned it. Despite his gruff appearance, once anyone managed to get to the core of him, it was no secret that Drew had a heart of gold. He simply had a hard time conveying that to the rest of the world. “It’s not a problem. I don’t need it.” It was the truth, he didn’t. Even before he’d been turned, he’d always been hot-blooded, often times not bothering with a coat or jacket at all, even in the winter months.
“Don’t mention it.” Drew slipped his free hand into his pocket before taking a sip of his own coffee. “I’m glad you think so. And, glad I could help.” Words clearly weren’t his strong suit, a fact he was sure of. Though, still not a fact that bothered him. “There’s nothing wrong with being prepared, even when you aren’t new. It shows dedication. I’d say that’s an important quality to have, no matter your position.” The question regarding his own early-rising reasoning, and he hesitated for a moment before replying. “I’m usually up early, I just usually haven’t left my house yet, by this point. But, I thought I’d stop for coffee today, instead of making it. I’m just on my way to the shop.” He said, gesturing in the direction of the auto mechanics shop where he’d worked since his arrival in Holloway. “No one else is there yet, but I thought I’d get a jump on some work I didn’t finish last night.” Pausing briefly, he glanced at the otherwise empty street around them. “It’s almost Halloween. Have any big plans?”
"Really? That's a shame", Esmée pouted a little but then quickly smiled at him, "I happen to love snow, though I totally understand that it is not for everyone and you are happy without it", she raised her hand to swat at her own words, not wanting to seem rude or to brush of his opinion. "And I totally get why snow can be terrible for people that need to drive far, it's really exhausting when all your car does is ice skating" Esmée caught herself rambling and before she could make it even worse by starting an explanation of what a terrible driver she was she stopped herself and took another sip of her coffee instead. "I grew up in New York. And each year for the winter holidays my dad took us halfway across the entire continent to the mountains. He loved the winter there, the crisp snow, the wide landscapes. I felt isolated sometimes but for him it was like coming home, finally being able to rest and just... you know, connected with his roots." A wolf being free with no shakles to bind him, her father had always dreamed of that even if the rest of the family called him silly for it. But now that she was here, in this new town, with this new pack, trying to find her footing, Esmée caught herself fleeing to the silent landscapes of the wild more and more, too. Sometimes only in thoughts, often through her visits to the forest. So maybe she finally understood her father and his sense of displacement, of alienation.
She nodded at his words, grateful for the change of topic. "Yes, dedication. I am definitely dedicated, but I can't say it is particularly hard to be. I enjoy my job too much to do it only halfway", another smile and then she stayed quiet, listening to his words and his explanation. Eventhough they were in the same pack and had seen each other many times before, Esmée did not really feel like she knew Drew, the real him. She understood the hesitation to share, after all no one in this town knew the real her, either, but she enjoyed this glimpse, this chance of talking to him eye to eye. Only the two of them, and the rest of town still asleep.
"So you are a man of preparation and dedication, too. Nice to know I am not the only early riser in this town that fills the first hours of the day with work", Esmée's gaze travelled down the street to where he was mentioning and she made a mental note to herself to ask him, should her car act up this winter - like it almost always did when the temperature was dropping. "Halloween? Well...", with her nose scrunched a little Esmée took another sip from her cup, feeling the warmth and the coffeine already doing their work inside her stomach. She forced herself to smile again, not wanting him to think that she almost downed the whole cup because she wanted to flee this conversation it was just... "My brother's always made a huge fuss out of Halloween but I like to spend it calmer. I have been spooked by them too many times as a kid. I am not really one for ghosts and such. Which is why this year my plans are really throwing me out of my comfort zone. I was supposed to take a security shift at the museum, apparently that's a thing here since some teenagers decided to break into the building on Halloween a couple of years ago.", Esmée rolled her eyes. She had looked forward to it, actually, a quiet night at the archives, "But my colleague Nicole is sick. She was supposed to do this years Ghost Tour, which was so not in my previous job description. But since I am the last to come in, I am the one who has to fill her spot" And that was indeed something she did not look forward to at all. "So if ghosts are your thing, you should totally come and join me", suddenly Esmée's face lit up. The idea of having at least one person by her side who would not laugh at her terrible attempts of being spooky was quite lovely. "You can call it an extended rescue, because I am pretty sure I will be a really bad tourguide. The entire thing starts after dark, here in front of the museum. Or did you have something else planned? I don't want to bother you or anything, so, are you the Halloween party kind of person?" Internally she cringed at herself right after that sentence had left her mouth.
