[thepromises]

     “I do,” he replied, nodding and flashing her a genuine smile. “It’s cute! Although she’s, uh, black and white rather than ginger. Ginny from Harry Potter had red hair, right?” Freddie asked, his eyebrows raised in slight uncertainty - he’d never read the books himself, only heard them talked about by his siblings. He was soon cheered by Esme’s not-so-subtle suggestion though, and grinned widely at her. “Sure, I think you’ve, uh, earned that right! You… want to come over now? I’ve got a free afternoon,” he said, leaning towards her with an eager expression.

[esmejameson-blog]

“Yeah, Ginny was a ginger.” She confirmed, although it didn’t matter. It was a cute name for a cat, and she had no doubt that someone as sweet as Freddie had gained an equally sweet cat. “Now is good - my afternoon’s free, too. Even if it wasn’t, I’d have moved stuff around.” It seemed like wherever she went, she managed to end up with invitations to meet people’s pets - it was absolutely brilliant. 

[esmejameson-blog]

text ✎ | ester & byron

Bradley: Who the fuck else would you hang out with in this town?

Esme: I've met other people who I get on with too, you know, you're not as special as you think you are 😉😘

[wreckingballralph]

How about now? I’m sure my dogs will love to meet you.

[esmejameson-blog]

Now - seriously? Now is great for me!

[pennyxowens-archive]

Yeah, it was really ridiculous. But thankfully the house was large enough where I never had to see it that much. Your parents sound amazing though, honestly. Complete opposite to the people I grew up with. 

[esmejameson-blog]

They were, yeah. I was a lucky kid. I don’t really speak to them much anymore, though. We were never close even though they were considerate, and now that I’ve moved halfway across the world we talk even less. I don’t really mind though, I almost feel like I’ve grown apart from them, like you do a childhood best friend.

[amonalester-deactivated20170106]

“Oh! Okay, I see. No, it’s silly question. I could have assumed by context.” He smiled, just a little embarrassed, looking away so he didn’t have to quite meet her eye. He let her talk, listening and nodding in places. He didn’t quite know, or get it. As far as he could think of he wasn’t much of a drinker, never a smoker. In times of stress he… Worked out. Or sometimes, when he couldn’t get to the gym, he’d mope on his couch and feel sorry for himself or…

She asked a question and he took a moment to answer, meeting her eyes and then looking down to her hand before scrabbling for the lighter all over again. Stupid. “Yeah, of course. I’m not going to be an ass and tell you no, y’know? Because… Yeah exactly. Live and let live. Now if you started paying me I’d have to break out the lung cancer pictures.” Laughing, he lifts his ass off the ground so he can rummage deep in a pocket where the lighter had scooted, holding it out to her.

“Here, why don’t you hold onto that? I like to keep them handy but I don’t think I’ll need one in the four hours ‘til the store opens.”

[esmejameson-blog]

She shrugged; a lot of people outside the smokers she used to know hadn’t really known what the term meant. After all, it was like her talking to a sporty person and listening to all the sporty terms and just being... lost. It wasn’t her thing. 

“Thanks,” she said gratefully. “But if you didn’t want me to, then I wouldn’t. It’s different when I’m sat right by you, and you’ll have to breathe the smoke in, too.” She always tried to be considerate when smoking. If she walked past a little kid, she’d hold it in a way that directed the smoke elsewhere, and also hid the cigarette from them at the same time. She wasn't sure how affective it was, but it was something she did, that made her feel better. And when she made friends with someone and wanted to smoke with them beside her, she tended to ask (at least when sober) if they minded before she lit up. 

Once the cigarette was it, and she’d taken a few drags, she put the lighter back in her pocket. “You sure, yeah? I have spares at home, I’ll just... have to find them?” Truth was, she didn’t, but Amon had already been so kind to her she felt a little bad taking his lighter. Though it couldn’t be denied that she would probably get more use out of it than he would.

[thepromises]

     “I… don’t want anything too weird,” Freddie began, weighing his words up carefully. “You know, nothing, I, uh, wouldn’t want to yell into the street if she went missing at any point!” he said, laughing merrily at the thought of him shouting a peculiar name into the night. “But… Ginny’s nice. Simple,” Freddie replied, pausing for a moment to judge the name, his head tilted ever so slightly to one side as he considered it. “Pretty, too. Yeah. Ginny! I like it,” he said decisively, nodding his head to settle the matter and turning to Esme with a wide smile. “I owe you one, now, for, uh, christening my cat. Let me know when I can do you a favour,” he offered, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

[esmejameson-blog]

She nodded, totally getting what he meant. Some names were just out of the running. “If you named her something weird, too, you’d have to put it on all the missing posters, too.” She added to his comment about shouting it into the street. “Oh, you actually like Ginny?” Esme said, surprised that he’d actually gone for one of her suggestions. Her face split into a grin, and she shook her head. “Nah, you don’t owe me anything... except I would like to meet the cat I’ve just named,” she said thoughtfully.

[esmejameson-blog]

text ✎ | esme & freddie

Freddie: sounds like a plan

Freddie: and you know, i don't get many numbers. so i'll just keep an eye out for... everyone?

Esme: Oh, hey, I don't get many either. Maybe we actually need to go out, hit the town?

Esme: Just a thought, though.

[dpkarofskyak-blog]

Esme? Nice to meet you. It is. It’s a lot nicer than I thought it would be already. England? You moved here from England? That’s awesome, I mean that you’re from there. I think I was expecting that too. I guess its a good surprised?

[esmejameson-blog]

It’s nice to meet you, too. And yeah, I’m from England - London to be exact. It is a good kind of surprised, definitely. Plus it’s gonna save me money; I thought I might have to purchase, like, ski gear and stuff just to stay warm in the winter. It seems like that might be overkill now, though. So yay for my wallet!

[pennyxowens-archive]

You get the chance to think about it a lot when the people you grew up with have one every two years. It was pretty damn annoying and got old very quickly. So did buying new furniture and having a basement full of ‘mid-life crisis’ items.

[esmejameson-blog]

Seems as bad as it sounds. I honestly could not have stomached that. My parents might have had their mid-life crises, but if they did they kept me out of them. Very private, reluctant to upset me or anything. Bless them.

[wreckingballralph]

I guess I’ll take the angel comparison. Consider yourself invited over anytime then. Thanks for the help, really. 

[esmejameson-blog]

Trust me when I say this: it’s my pleasure. Just let me know whenever my services are required!

[esmejameson-blog]

text ✎ | esme & freddie

Freddie: we can make it a phrase. i don't see why it shouldn't be one!

Freddie: and... you know. just nice guys and girls. people i can be myself around. the cheesy stuff, I guess!

Esme: Excellent, I'm in!

Esme: Alright, I'll keep an eye out for any that are especially kind and open minded!

[wreckingballralph]

Thank you. They’re beautiful dogs, too.

Yeah, I mean it. I don’t see why I can’t share the dogs. Everyone deserves to play with dogs. Anytime you want to come see them, just let me know. I might take you up on that one day. Sometimes work keeps me through the night, so I might have you let them out for me if that happens. If you’re okay with it?

[esmejameson-blog]

You’re some kind of angel, I swear. And yeah, no worries, I’m up for seeing dogs, any time of day or night. And it’s just a bonus if I’m helping you, too. 

[thepromises]

     He smiled at the familiar, friendly tones of her voice and turned to Esme with an eyebrow raised, the warmth clear in his dark eyes. “Esme’s a nicecat name, you know. But, uh, there’s probably only room for one Esme in my life,” he replied, letting out a light laugh. A gently waved hand indicated the current window display and the bright covers within, and Freddie’s eyes moved over the names once more. “I’d like to name her after my favourite fictional character, but I think the last book I read all the way through was… The Cat in The Hat. So… you like books. Who’s your favourite fictional character? I mean, if you’re alright telling me,” he asked, knowing she’d be a far better source than himself.

[esmejameson-blog]

She chuckled at his comment about one Esme being enough, still in awe of how easygoing he was, how easy to get along with. She hadn’t known many people like that, before. “I see your point,” she said, grinning. She listened as he asked about her favourite fictional character, and she shook her head. “No, no, it’s fine. I’ve always been a huge Harry Potter fan. Like, crazy huge. I was always fond of Ginny.” She wondered if that would make a good cat name or not, but she wouldn’t be offended if he didn’t choose it. “But if you’re looking for something a little less... popular, maybe?” She thought for a bit. “I like the name Feyre, too.”

[esmejameson-blog]

text ✎ | esme & freddie

Freddie: well, you'd be a wing-woman, right?

Freddie: what's your type? you know, for reference

Esme: I would, that's true. Is wing-woman even a phrase? I like it, though.

Esme: My type? Hm. I don't really... have a type? I prefer not to rule any girl out before I've gotten to know her. Yours?

[wreckingballralph]

Yep, I do. Cocoa, Jack, Bailey, and Jasper. 

Well, if you want, you can hang around my dogs until you get your own? Dogs can be pretty expensive, so I respect that. I think so, but you’re also talking to the biggest dog lover out here. I’m all for any dog.

[esmejameson-blog]

Those are good names.

Wait, really? Are you just saying that, or do you mean it? But I’d love that, seriously. And hey, if you ever need help walking them, I’m right here. Or need someone to feed them if you’re out of town. Or anything.

[wreckingballralph]

Exactly my point. If I didn’t love my job and have four dogs at home, I’d consider handing in my resume.

I know, they’re such great dogs! I’ve seen a few police stations use different dogs. One used pit bulls from nearby shelters. I thought that was pretty neat. 

[esmejameson-blog]

You have four dogs?! 

I am extremely jealous right now. I’m dying to get one, but I want to save up a bit first so I’d have money for vet bills and just... general expenses. Oh, wow, using pitt bulls sounds awesome. I mean, I guess most dogs could do the job, as long as they’re trained up properly, right? 

[pennyxowens-archive]

We’ll just say you’re twenty-four then, yeah?

Mid-life crises are bull anyways. They’re an excuse for people to do stupid shit. But in all actuality it’s like, just do whatever you want. You don’t need to explain yourself. No one cares that much.

[esmejameson-blog]

That works.

It seems like you’ve thought about this a lot. But I agree. No one cares as long as it doesn’t affect other people, too. People are too self-centred, thinking other people actually give a shit. But then that’s a bit hypocritical, having just... talked about all this, assuming you give a shit.