Name: Esmé Douglas
Age: 33
Sex: F
Race: Pure faraden
Species: Douglas squirrel (Tamiasciurus douglasii)
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 150lbs
Occupation: Inn housekeeper
Hometown: Hagali
Home region: Faradus

Appearance
- Hair and fur: dark grey-brown fur with warm tan countershading, dark grey-brown hair
- Markings:
- Eye color: short dark grey-brown strip on nose and lateral stripe between arm and leg on each side, warm tan circles around eyes
- Other features: short ear fringe
Clothing/Personal Style: casual and unpicky-- mostly depends on season

Behavior and Personality: wallflower, shy, caring, protective
Skills: fast worker, decent vocalist, good at reading people
Weaknesses: fairly timid around people, insecure, lonely
Likes: music, spending time with others, cooking, going on walks
Dislikes: silence, being alone, not much else

Favorite food: red plums
Favorite drink: hot cocoa
Favorite location: various places around town
Favorite weather: sunset during semi-cloudy evenings
Favorite color: forest green
Element: none
Weapon: none
Themesong: Ludovico Einaudi - Low Mist (Day 3)

History: Esmé was the only child of her parents, owners of an inn in Hagali. From a young age she helped with the family business, mostly small chores like helping with laundry, until she was old enough to be hired as a proper employee. For shy Esmé the job was ideal, requiring little interaction with patrons and performing most of her work alone. Due to mental illness and financial stress her father would slowly develop corruption, eventually fleeing the house and town following an altercation between himself and his wife. He was never seen after that, but he's presumed to have passed away from the effects of corruption. This instilled an early fear of corruption between both Esmé and her mother, having dealt with the father whose energy was stemmed from anger, and thus showed hostility.

A few years following this matter the inn would be visited by 18 year old Samuel Grey, who'd just recently arrived in Hagali after fleeing Falun. Samuel had tried to put down some money for a few nights' stay at the family inn, but upon noticing his severe corruption Esmé's mother grew defensive and tried to scare him away, afraid he'd repeat what her husband had done. Samuel, whose corruption was based in non-hostile fear, quickly turned to run away. Esmé had seen what took place, having been in a nearby room to get some laundry, and ran after Samuel upon seeing he left his wallet behind on the front desk. She pursued him, but lost her footing and fell. The noise caught Samuel's attention, his turning around to see her on the ground. He stopped and hesitated, but did carefully approach her to help her stand back up. Once back to her feet he took a few steps back, ready to run again, but she gently offered her hand and a place for him to stay, understanding that his corruption was not the same as what she faced in the past.

He reluctantly took her offer, taking her hand and her leading him back to the inn. Her mother was away from the front desk, so Esmé brought Samuel to a room near the kitchen. As it had been raining, she led him to the bathroom and suggested he shower. Samuel seemed afraid of being alone, so she put her hair tie around his wrist to promise that she'd be back shortly. While he showered she took a quick one of her own and set forth to make him something to eat, having noticed his gaunt frame and thin hair. When she returned Samuel was sitting on the bed, hugging his knees and waiting for her. She kept him company while he ate, only eating following her persisting encouragement. Strangely, he refused to ever speak, only gesture to answer some questions. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but figured he'd come around in due time. Esmé stayed in the room until her usual bedtime, upon which she left but said she'd be back in the morning. Samuel was not sure how to take this, staying up all night hugging his knees to avoid the nightmares that plagued him. When she came to check on him the next morning he was horribly jumpy and nervous from the lack of sleep. Fortunately it was a day off, so she stayed in his room to provide him some comfort. Samuel, feeling a little more secure with Esmé's presence, managed a short nap while she read on the other bed in the room.

Esmé's mother was not happy about her taking in Samuel, citing the previous issues with her father and warned that she'd only be inviting that to repeat. Esme stood up for him, claiming that not all corruption was the same and that if he were hostile it would have shown by now. Much to her mother's dismay she continued to keep him in the inn, even inviting him to work with her to keep him close by and occupied. After about a month he'd start coming around, and one night leading up to a day off she decided to spend the overnight in his room. Finally feeling comfortable enough to do so, Samuel would speak to her for the first time. Esmé was elated and proud of his progress, and from here he'd carefully seek her for solace and comfort. Esmé, being considered average at best was not sure how to take the advances at first, but ultimately accepted given Samuel's gentle, anxious habits, which showed no intent to inflict discomfort or harm. Esmé quickly discovered that Samuel enjoyed being held, finding the position comfortable and safe, so she would do it frequently. It wasn't long before they both considered themselves in a relationship, though her mother wasn't too happy about it.

With time and care, Samuel's corruption would finally heal. Once healed he was hired by Esmé's mother to work with Esmé as a housekeeper, where they would work from then onward. Samuel would propose to Esmé when he was 21. Life would seem to progress like it should, at least until the idea of a family came to mind. While they both wanted children, Esmé couldn't understand Samuel's apprehension to actually try for any, his finally confessing to his modifications. While not great news she was still understanding, suggesting foster care and adoption. From here they would work toward that goal, putting away money to realize that dream and hopefully also for marriage, but that took a backseat to the former. Unfortunately neither of these things would happen as Esmé would be killed while Samuel was out getting groceries, her demise caused by a new type in retaliation for their refusal to move south with the other pures.

As she loved Samuel very much, a small part of her soul would stay with him to help guide him through obstacles in life. This included raising his children and finally accepting another chance at happiness by means of a relationship with Daniel years later.