Cassie Lynn Albernathy

-Played By Brooklyn2181-

Nickname(s): Cass

Age: 18

Grade: Senior

Birthday: November 30

Appearance: Cassie is a shrimp, at only 5'4 and clocking in at 98lbs. She is petite, but somewhat shapely for her size, not that you can tell under the typical grunge outfits she dresses in, preferring black jeans or cammies, Doc Martens, and T shirts, shooting to be as different to the “popular preps” as possible. Her eyes are deep chocolate brown in color, and are often hidden under a pair of sunglasses. Her brown hair is straight and cut in no particular style. She wears it down most of the time, often veiling her face as she works.

Cassie will only wear long pants, and preferably long sleeved shirts that she uses to conceal faint scars that she received during a little known incident that occurred the evening of the Halloween dance during her Junior Year. This is not something that she is willing to discuss with anyone and most people have forgotten about the night that it happened. It is commonly recalled that something went down but nobody has really cared enough to ask her any questions.

Her attire is often unflattering, but she can little afford more, and is actually trying to detract attention from herself – but the fact that she dresses 'poorly', merely seems to attract more of this unwanted attention. the only half way decent stuff she owns comes courtesy of Pop's, a variety of music t-shirts that she layers over her long sleeved tops. She doesn't have to love the band to wear it but she outright refuses to don something of the pop-nature.

Personality: Cassie can be loud, belligerent, and generally anti social. People don't go out of their way to speak to her and that's just the way that she likes it. She can scare people off with a simple look and to those that do try to start a conversation she will either offer them one word answers or a line of venom in order to deter them from trying again. Though often confrontational, she is a long way from self destructive or violent.

In spite of the confident, take no prisoners attitude and persona that she portrays, there is no one that can say they know the real her. She refuses to ask for help, preferring to suffer than admit that she can’t do it on her own. She believes that nothing comes for free in this world, and some would consider her paranoid, as she doesn’t believe that anybody does anything unless they want something – it is after all human nature. In the last year she has become even more withdrawn, refusing to allow anybody in, building walls so high that she’s not even sure she could break them down if she wanted to.

In reality, she really does have a romantic and philosophical side, but no one is likely to see it, considering all the smoke and mirrors created as a result of her so called upbringing. Cassie, if you could ever get past her defences, is actually a sincere and caring person. She is becoming so detached from the world that she lives in that soon she may find herself lost in her own permanently. She knows that she needs to break the cycle if she wants to have a chance, but she doesn’t know what to do anymore, and is to scared to take a chance on anything. Experience has taught her that it will only come back and bite her in the ass.

She is an extremely private person who does not appreciate people trying to get to know her. She swore of having friends a long time ago and strongly believes that she is better off for it. She has been disappointed too many times to believe in the kindness of human nature and feels that you are better off cutting yourself off to protect yourself rather than open up and risk getting hurt. She chooses to express herself through both her art and her music but in turn does not allow people to see her work. It's one thing to give a song to Mason to sing but another thing entirely to have somebody read her lyrics or look at one of her sketches.

Family: Cassie lives with her mother Tabitha (43). Her father is alive, but communication is non-existent since their divorce 10 years ago. Tabitha works several casual jobs in the Chesterdale area. Ever since Cassie’s father left, her mother has been desperately trying to find a replacement for him. Leaving a trail of ex’s, and a nasty reputation all over Ridgefield. She cares for Cassie, but has little time for her daughter. Boyfriends always come first, and in an argument, Tabitha will always side with them over her.

The only man that really lasted in Tabitha's life was her latest live in boyfriend, a man in his early 30's, Ron. The two were constantly fighting, and things were known to get a little violent when Ron was been hitting the hard liquor. He was never been faithful to Tabitha, but time and time again Tabitha took him back.

Cassie found herself caught in the crossfire on more than one occasion when things have gotten pretty heated, and is forever covering bruises with articles of clothing and lame excuses to those that actually bother to ask. The most recent example of this involved a trip to emergency and 72 stitches. It's frightening what a broken bottle can do to the human arm when it connects.

Ron has since gone missing from their lives, on the run from the Police and though his temper finally landed Tabitha in hospital, she misses him. Rather than do what Cassie hoped and try to learn to be on her own for a while, Tabitha has gone right back to her old ways, bringing home men when they're both drunk enough. Cassie will often cross paths with them in the morning as they try to sneak out. She knows it won't be long before another no hoper moves himself into Tabitha's bed and history is bound to repeat itself.

-Tabitha Albernathy- Cassie's Mother

History: A Ridgefield Lifer - Cassie's been following her mother from boyfriend to boyfriend ever since Tabitha's divorce well over a decade ago. She has very few memories of her childhood, only recalling arguments that she assumes were between her mom (Whom she now refers to only by first name) and her father. She hasn't seen her father since he split and isn't sure that she would recognise him now if she passed him in the streets. She has no love for the man and if he died tomorrow she believes it would cause her no pain.

Cassie was forced to learn early in life to quit going to others for her problems and instead to vent it in some form of art or game. Picking up a guitar when she was 12, she quickly decided that it was going to be her methods of maintaining sanity in her own little insane world. Writing music is the only escape that she has, and without it, it might be frightening to think what may have become of her at this still young age.

Starting High School she discovered she had something of a natural talent for art. Her teachers over the years have tried to nurture this though Cassie will often reject the interest that they show. She refuses to enter competitions or submit her work for art shows. Technically she may not be brilliant but she has developed her own style that though sometimes unique, doesn't always get her the good grades. Her art teacher insists she could be an A-Grade student if only she would apply the theory but Cassie sees her art as an outlet, not as something to be thought of academically and knows that no matter how good her grades could be, it wouldn't make much of a difference in the long run so why change?

Her Junior year was supposed to be all about her just flying under the radar, but several things sort of prevented that from happening, and now she is just trying to finish school. Richmond High was not, and is still not a place that fills her with warm feelings. She has been made the target of not one, but several of Richmond’s previous students – neither of whom were very stable. Their reigns of terror may have been felt on some level by the other students of Richmond High, but none so much as Cassie. Few were aware of what was happening right in front of their eyes, and those that did, were either too scared, or didn’t care enough to do anything about it. She suffered in silence but now bears both the emotional and physical scars of the past year.

There was one ray of light, and that was one boy that nobody would have thought would have even looked twice at a girl like Cassie. He slowly gained her trust, and for the first time in her life she felt that maybe she was capable of being loved, and felt herself opening up. Though they were complete opposites, there was more understanding between the two than either thought possible. He swore to be faithful, and to wait for her to be ready before anything would go any further.

It was hard to know what went wrong. Whether he had never really been interested in Cassie from the beginning, or whether he found himself becoming too attached to stay faithful, but when she discovered that he started screwing around, she pulled right back – A defining moment in Cassie’s life, for she swore she would never trust another living soul for as long as she lived. She chose to see his actions as the result of some game, and a growing hatred towards him and his deception consumed her for quite some time, the after effects of his actions effecting the way she lives her life today.

She knows that her Senior Year is make or break, and though she would rather steer clear of school, she knows that she has to go and that she has to do well. She has two possible tickets out of here; her band, or college. She still thinks in many ways that either option is a long shot, but at least when she is up on stage, plucking the strings of her base guitar, she forgets that she’s the trashy white girl who’s mother has slept with half of Ridgefield. She forgets the dark history that leaves her sleepless most nights. It’s the one place Cassie feels she truly belongs, and on stage, is the closest thing you will get to seeing the real her.

Recent History: When it seemed that things just couldn't get any worse for Cassie Albernathy, her Senior Year has brought with it a fresh batch of problems. She was content to just fly under the radar and try to stay out of trouble but as usual there are enough jerks in this world to stop that from happening. It started with Corey Tucker and his unwanted curiosity in what made Cassie tick. Against anyone's better judgement he pushed and pushed and though she hated it, he managed to get under her skin. Perhaps they could have been friends if it weren't for their completely different backgrounds, his friends, his ex-girlfriends, and the fact that he kissed her and then more or less walked out of her life.

She had reached a new low and Kevin Marris (Resident asshole) still took great pleasure in tormenting her at every possible opportunity. He pushed and he pushed until the day that he pushed too far. She was too little to actually inflict any pain upon him but she made him snap and within a blink of an eye she was doubled over, slumped against a row of lockers as other students pretended not to see what had just happened.

He has more or less left her alone since then, perhaps in a way she had forced him to see how pathetic he actually was - at least that thought gave her comfort. Life without Kevin has certainly been more peaceful. There are still those that find enjoyment in picking a fight with her, but its been a while since she's endured any form of physical punishment, though she doubts that will last very long. There is always somebody out there needing to show himself what a big man he is and Cassie makes for the perfect target.

In recent times her home life has taken a drastic turn for the worse. For a time she did not live in the rundown rental in Chesterdale. Instead she found herself at Croft house, a place for runaway teens. Cassie was not a runaway mind you and would have done anything to get out of that place, but with her mother in hospital, a murder investigation underway and Ron nowhere to be found, there was nowhere else for Cassie to go.

Now at the age of eighteen, she is no longer considered a ward of the state and has moved back to the shell of a place that she supposes she must call home. There are no creature comforts but familiarity is in some ways a small comfort to her. She finds herself having to worry about paying the bills and things that most people take for granted (such as a phone or even food) are often foregone so that rent and electricity can be paid. Few people her age have to worry about such things but when her mother was still recovering in hospital (mounting up bills that they could never ever pay) Cassie was working as many shifts as possible at Pops and picking up cash in hand jobs at The Amplifier Bar to try and have as much cash as she could.

Her mothers release from hospital before Christmas has, rather than generated some relief for her financially, has placed a greater burden on her. Tabitha, though healthy is back to her old tricks. She goes out, spends what little money she has on booze and a good time and returns (not all that often alone) and sleeps it off while Cassie heads off to work or school. Tabitha has has been offered her old job back but Cassie knows she will likely need to get a second job just to earn enough keep them both and rely heavily on what few paid gigs she can pick up.

She desperately needs for things to get better  but somehow she doubts that is going to happen. With Ron still missing and the Police coming by and asking the same old questions, Cassie realises that before things can get better they are bound to get worse. The question isn't how much worse though, the question is, can she handle it when it does?

Neighborhood: Chesterdale - Cassie’s house is the stereotypical what trash rental home that should have been demolished years ago. Her mother can barely afford to pay the rent, and often relies on the flavor of the month to help make ends meet.

Job: Cassie has a part time position at Pop’s, down on the Pier due to her near encyclopaedic knowledge of almost all styles of music, but particularly old school punk rock, metal bands and eighties everything. The store is currently carrying the first demo of her band's music.

Vehicle: Cassie has no vehicle, and is currently stuck bumming her mom's old Plymouth Duster, still holding on strong after years of use and repair. She is currently saving for a motorcycle but her savings are always being syphoned for things like food, rent & bills.

Best Friend(s): Friends? Not really. To be honest, she just hasn’t really given anybody a chance. She tends to shoot her mouth off a little too quick, which can lead her to – well give off the wrong impression. Those who you may consider to be acquaintances of hers, are members of her band - Malcontent. Ethan Givenchy & Mason Carter. If you are looking for a list of enemies it would probably be as long as your arm. These days the two people that seem to give her the hardest time are Lachlan Kane & Kevin Marris. There are many more that fall under this list but they have of recent times been the only two that have gotten physical with her.

Dating Status: Currently single. She tells people that having a boyfriend is akin to being emotionally shackled. However, she has never been in a relationship. Until recently she’d only ever kissed one guy, and that was under “strained” circumstances. Things did start to develop between the two of them, but at the end of the day… well, lay down with dogs and you get fleas. She’s got the scars (emotional) to prove it, and isn’t too keen on trusting anybody again.

Social Status: Cassie is an outcast by her own choice, making a point to alienate anyone she views as popular. In all honesty, she pushes people away; to allow them to get close, would be to allow them to hurt her.

Schedule:

1st English Literature
2nd Philosophy
3rd Art
- Break -
4th AP Psychology
5th Astronomy
- Lunch -
6th Photography
7th Physical Education
8th French

Activities:

- Clubs: Art Club – She’s not big on the whole club scene, but her art, well that’s another thing entirely. She also writes submissions for the Inklusive Tigers, but never signs her name to them.
- Sports: Field Hockey – Well she was listed to play field hockey but it might help if she actually showed up to practice or games, the sort of things that actually make you part of the team.

Other Information: Trying to approach Cassie on a good day will more than likely result in either a volley of sarcastic remarks, or a full blown argument. Cassie isn't fond of being asked a lot of questions, and often the more you try to get to know her, or find out about her, the more likely you are to feel the full effects of her forked tongue.

Likes: Cassie's main love is playing and listening to music. Most of it is grunge or Goth metal, but she has been steering her band in the direction of a softer sound. Keeping the alternative feel without making it too in your face. Her current group "Malcontent" is only at the garage phase, though they do have a demo that they hawk locally. Cassie serves as the petite little firebrand that provides some of it's lead, and backing vocals and its bass. Cassie also works on a lot of Solo material but rarely shares it with anyone. She doesn't consider herself Lead Guitar material but she can bluff her way through most solos.

She also has a strange fondness for classic books of just about any genre, and is irregularly seen at the bookstore. For physical exercise, she's been known to play the occasional game of street hockey with various groups.

Cassie loves The Cure, NIN, New Order, Placebo, Dresden Dolls, The Red Paintings, Bob Dylan (to name a few) and - though it pains her to admit it, some of Marilyn Manson's cover work is pretty cool (like 'Down In The Park'). The easiest way to engage Cassie in conversation is to talk to her about music. If you can last more than two minutes without being insulted you're doing well - conversing with Cassie is after all the emotional equivalent of riding a mechanical bull.

Cassie's Music Playlist