Honestly, for a moment, Esme did actually think it was the tree talking to her. She'd seen some crazy things since she'd joined the circus. A whole plethora of creatures she'd assumed were just myth and legend. A talking tree? That wouldn't even come in the top ten of crazy stuff. But luckily for her mental health, Ents weren't a real thing just yet. It was just a young man hiding up there.
She'd seen him before at the circus, but his actual occupation didn't spring to mind at first. Not until he mentioned her not looking crazy. She knew she hadn't voiced that worry. She never did. So he had to be.. the mentalist? A mind reader. And the moment the realization of that sank in, her usual peaceful mind suddenly became a tube station at rush hour. No thinking anything dirty! Esme, when do you ever think anything dirty? Oh for goodness sake, you're arguing with yourself..in your own head. Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up. How come when you're trying not to think of anything you suddenly think of everything?
She sighed a little and scrunched up her nose, taking a deep breath so her slightly loony sleep deprived brain would settle down. Smiling softly as he explained what he was doing up in the tree. "I'll be sure to hide my neck." Was the first words spoken since her greeting. Her playful tone soft and timid. She took a few steps towards him, trying to hide her slight giggle as his shirt fell down to partially obscure his face. Her own seemed like a mask of curiosity and joy. Which was usually the way. "Do you always try to be one with the trees..? You're not a secret elf are you?"