Drew Carson

ANDREW ‘DREW’ CARSON

Full Name: Andrew Elijah Carson Nicknames: Drew, Andy, Eli Age: 42 Species: Werewolf, Reid Pack Occupation: Mechanic, Holloway Auto Gender/Pronouns: cis male && he/him Relationship Status: Single Sexuality: Bisexual Birthdate: May 23 Zodiac Sign: Gemini Personality (+): Charitable, Loyal, Honest, Determined, Hardworking, Intelligent Personality ( - ): Blunt, Withdrawn, Sarcastic, Temperamental, Distrusting, Guarded, Detached

Bio: drug/alcohol abuse, spousal death

Emma chuckled as he pulled out his phone. “I think the hike was meant to end back on the Lane.” She pointed, although realised she had no idea what direction she was meant to be going or was coming from. “I was. I grew up here. Left for college… I’m Emma.” 

Drew nodded solemnly, his expression remaining unchanged. “Ah. Yes. You’re definitely pretty off-course.” Glancing around, he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “That makes sense. It’s a pretty similar story to a lot of folx. Emma.” He repeated, nodding. Taking in a breath, he cleared his throat, scanning the area once more before speaking again. “I’m Andrew. Carson. Most people call me Drew. If you follow me, I can take you back to the Lane.” Turning, he began walking, glancing back to ensure she was following. “What did you study in college?”

“Oh, wow”, Esmée took the cup that he was handing her, confusion painted on her face for a few heartbeats. She had neither expected to see Drew here nor that he would bring her coffee. “Thank you very much” She considered asking who he had bought the cup for originally since there was no way he could have been aware of her being here - No one knew of Esmée’s early mornings in the archives except for the janitor William. And that guy did not seem like he’d be close friends with anyone from the pack. 

She looked at the other for a moment, searching for the right words or ways to start a conversation. Esmée still struggled to find her footing in this new world she had stumbled in while coming to Holloway and though her new pack had been welcoming and kind, something she had not expected at first, it was not that easy for her to strike up small talk. “Well, I went for a run in the woods before coming here, so I settled for something light and easy. And I honestly thought such a sporting activity would keep me warm, but it seems the weather here is leaning closer to winter with every day”, She settled on the weather as a topic when Drew bent down and put his own coffee away, confusing her momentarily. Then Esmée realised what he was about to do and started shaking her head, already growing a little red in her face.  “That’s really not necessary, honestly I-”, Esmée could not even finish her sentence before Drew handed her the jacket. 

“There is no reason for both of us being cold now”, she took it nonetheless, not wanting to be rude and first slipped into one arm, then the other, moving her coffee from one hand to the other along the way. It was too big for her, of course it was, and it smelled of him. Such a strange moment, such a sweet gesture. “Honestly, thank you very much. This is slowly turning from a pleasant surprise into a true rescue” Esmée raised the coffee cup into his direction and then took a sip of the hot beverage, “Oh this is good. No, today is like any other day. I just like to start early, get a grasp on what needs to be done today, before the assitants and the rest of the staff comes in. It’s still new to me, this position, and in a place so much bigger than the last one. I try to prep myself” Was it because she was so hellbent on perfection? Or because she was so scared of failure? Esmée could not tell, and she did not wish to discuss it with Drew right here and right now. “What about you, though? Where are you headed so early?”

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?”

Emma pulled her fluffy coat tighter, it was getting cold in North Carolina now and in hindsight hiking was really dumb. “Reassuring words from the strange man in the woods.” She half laughed. “You can have this heap of junk if you want.” She held up her cell phone. “Very lost. I used to know these woods pretty well but it’s been a while… now all the trees look the same.”

Drew’s eyebrows raised, his head cocking to the side as the corners of his lips turned downward slightly, his expression conveying one of agreement. “Touche.” His eyes fell to the phone in her hands, and he shook his head. “No thanks. I wouldn’t even begin to know how to work it. What you’re calling a heap of junk, I call high-tech.” Slipping his hand into his pocket, Drew pulled a flip phone out, holding it in front of him for the other to see. Nodding slowly, he slid his phone back into his pocket, taking a small step forward. “Where are you looking to get to?” He asked. “Judging from what you said, I guess it’s safe to assume you’re from here? Originally at least.” 

Emma jumped over the rock, taking out her phone. She’d lost her group about half an hour ago and was quickly regretting signing up to the hiking group. “No phone signal. Of course.” She knew she’d come into the forest by Lonesome lane but had been walking a while. She tripped as she heard a noise behind her. “I have nothing on me valuable please don’t kill me.” She blurted. 

The forest was one of Drew’s favorite places in town; there was no denying he was drawn to its tranquility and beauty, but also to its solitude. Though he’d always found connections with nature, he found the statement rang even more true since he’d been bitten, and further still with each passing year. He’d heard the hiking group nearby, of course, and made a point to stay as far from them as possible, not wishing to be disturbed. Though, as he made his own way up the path, his eyes fell upon an obviously lost figure, and he sighed at his own blunder. His eyebrows raised at the other’s first statement, though his tone remained even when he spoke. “If I were going to kill you, you’d know it. Luckily for you, it is far too early and far too calm to consider murder of any sort. I won’t rob you either, I guarantee you have nothing I want that badly.” Drew’s eyes gave the woman a once-over. “I take it you’re lost?”

In recent weeks Esmée had developed a habit of going for a run before starting her day at work. The weather was growing colder and it took the sun a little longer each morning to climb into the sky, she enjoyed that crips and fresh air, with the world still hushed and everything holding its breath for a moment longer, before humanity and its bustling streets flooded her senses. She had once read about deer that grew nocturnal to evade humans and just maybe she was doing something like that, too.  But every run had to end sooner or later and so she was on her way to the museum quite early, first one at the main entrance and as always waiting for the janitor to open the gates and let her in. But this morning, to her surprise, she saw another figure on the pathway, heading in her direction. “Good morning”, Esmèe buried her hands in the holes of her sweater, shivering against the cold air, “You’re on your feet early. I did not expect anyone to come my way for at least an hour”

It was early, though in recent years ‘early’ seemed to have become Drew’s middle name. Perhaps there was a time in which he would have allowed himself more rest, more sleep, more peace, though that time had long since passed. These days, sleep seemed to evade him by a margin more with each passing year, and this morning had been a particularly early one, with the anniversary of his wife’s passing looming over him like the darkest of storm clouds anyone might ever be able to fathom. After dressing and showering, he’d started his coffee pot as he always did, though after only a few moments of brewing flipped the machine off again, choosing instead to make his way into town and purchase his morning coffee. He had time, and no desire to continue his morning in an otherwise empty house. Once he’d arrived at the shop, something had told him to purchase two, though for what purpose he was unaware. It was on his journey into his own job that brought him to pass the Museum, and a quick sniff and glance towards the front doors drew his attention to his fellow pack member begging entrance to the building. Crossing the street, he made his way over, offering Esmèe the second cup of steaming coffee. 

“Here.” He said plainly, noting the chill she’d obviously taken. “Yeah, well, consider it a pleasant surprise.” Although Andrew Carson was not a mean nor monstrous man by any stretch of the imagination, he was gruff, pointed, blunt to the point of a fault, and even more so since he’d lost Anya. The time for pleasantries seemed to have long passed as well, something he still struggled to come to grips with in private. “Why didn’t you wear a heavier coat?” He questioned, sighing as he bent to place his own coffee momentarily on the ground beside him. Slipping off his own jacket, he passed it to the other, picking up his coffee once more. “Are you always here this early, or is there something special about today?”