Esme is an overweight fourth grader whom Scythe Goddard uncharacteristically spares in a mass gleaning at a mall. He then takes her to live with him in Maxim Easley's mansion, where Rowan understands that Esme is a prisoner. Esme doesn't question why Goddard spared her, and she believes that there's something special about her relationship with Goddard since she doesn't have immunity and yet Goddard chooses to not glean her. Rowan learns later that Esme is High Blade Xenocrates's illegitimate daughter and that Goddard is using her to blackmail Xenocrates into giving him his way. Rowan finds Esme annoying, especially since he's required to be nice to her. Despite this, she seems like a kind and insightful child. She likes to play cards, especially with Rowan and Volta, and she tries to make friends with Maxim's children.
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Esme Character Timeline in Scythe
The timeline below shows where the character Esme appears in Scythe. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 9
A young girl named Esme is eating pizza in a food court after an exhausting day in the fourth grade....
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Chapter 20
...pool. He comments that a guest brought their kid, but Goddard says the girl is Esme and she's the most important person in attendance. Goddard says cryptically that Esme is the...
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Chapter 21
...soup into Rowan's mouth. He speaks to Rowan with genuine compassion. Late the next day, Esme visits Rowan. Rowan asks why she's with Goddard, and she explains that he told her...
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Chapter 24
Esme lurks around Goddard's mansion and continues to perplex Rowan. She seems to like Rowan and...
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Chapter 26
...Chomsky, and Rand seem thrilled with their day's work, but Rowan and Volta are disturbed. Esme whispers to Rowan that Volta is always cranky after a gleaning. Midway through the meal,...
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Rowan understands now that Esme is a prisoner here too. He asks her if Goddard ever really talks to her,...
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Chapter 28
Scythe Goddard brightly toasts Rowan when he, Volta, Chomsky, and Rand get home. Rowan sees Esme watching and feels ashamed, wondering if she knows what he did. Goddard proceeds to throw...
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...the only thing that Xenocrates was here for. He starts to leave, but Goddard calls Esme over.
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Xenocrates looks terrified as Esme sits on Goddard's lap. Volta wonders why Xenocrates is so uncomfortable and why Goddard is...
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...Faraday. Volta thinks that Citra is messing with Rowan. Rowan suggests that he start taking Esme on his runs with him to help her weight. Volta gives him a look and...
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Chapter 37
...ring. Goddard's skeleton also has no skull. Rowan suggests the investigators need to look harder. Esme appears in the doorway. Rowan calls her in and informs Xenocrates that Esme is returning...
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