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[caseyrussell]

Casey sits down next to his brother and it's as if any residual tension that he usually carries with him to events like this leaves his shoulders in an instant. Knowing that sitting with Noah always comes with a proverbial ability to exhale - the kind of acceptance that comes hand in hand for the three Russell boys no matter the reason for them gathering. "Mm... like a solid 7/10 on 'em, I'd say. Spike my drink and I might just put you up to an eight, ooooh," he extends out his hands, waving them slightly in the air as if to add a sense of dazzle to the motion as a light laugh leaves his mouth.

"'Sides I've been an innocent, sweet, cherubic boy all evening, Noah. Saintly, some may say. Saving all my love for Mr. Holly at the end of the night, y'know... going for the big guns." Casey snorts, nose crinkling at the image he's managed to conjure up. Not that David Holly didn't have some redeeming qualities in Casey's mind - that salt and pepper hair? Ooft... - it was just that out of a room of potential kisses, there was only one person he was interested in getting under the mistletoe... and he's enough of a realist to know there's no chance of that happening in public. "How 'bout you? You been mingling?"

Noah had to assume that his hiding was only going to last him so long. It wasn’t like there were that many people he had an interest in socializing with and as far as he was concerned he’d found like half of them over the course of the evening. However there was one individual that he’d yet to run into and he knew it was only a matter of time before that person found him instead. Yes, it was in fact that person he’d come with in the first place, his very own brother. A sly smile crept onto his face as Casey made eye contact with him though he tried to hide it as he scooted himself over to make room. Sure parties weren’t usually his thing, but he had to admit he was glad to see him. “But of course. Gotta respect your elders, pay ‘em $5 and spike Santa’s milk with whatever you’re tall enough to reach. How am I doing on Christmas rules?” Noah asked, nudging his brother playfully as he pocketed the notebook that had been sitting open in his lap. “That’s because I try to avoid the image of whatever you may or may not be doing under the mistletoe all night. How’s the schmoozing been going?” 

[caseyrussell]

who: @alicealder what: if only i knew... for i do not... where: the holly party!

It's late in the evening by the time Casey settles into the game room - tired of hanging around the backyard secretly sipping from a cup of spiked eggnog for most of the night. He immediately sets upon trying to find a game - something that'll occupy their time a little better than drinking and philosophising. Which, arguably, is most of the conversations he seems to have with Alice. "Y'know, the Monopoly guy has never actually had a monocle," he states over his shoulder, jiggling the box slightly in his hand and listening as the pieces inside rattle around. He'd never really liked Monopoly. Perhaps because he was a little too competitive with it - like the game would be the closest he'd ever really be to being some tycoon, slowly taking over the world with his little fake property empire. "Complete myth, like one of those - uh - Nelson Mandela effects." He finally takes the box from the shelf, setting it down on one of the tables in the room and cracking open the lid before throwing Alice a wry smirk. "Wanna play? Promise I won't go full anti-Marx on you... Karl not Richard."

[caseyrussell]

A chuckle slips past his lips at the mention of how little patience she has for opening her gift. Mainly because he too has about as much patience as he has money. Which is to say - he has none of either. "How bout..." He practically sings as his gaze drifts up toward the ceiling, whisking his arm up to take a swig from the cup in his hand. "We exercise our combined powers of patience and save it for a time when we can both unwrap at the same time?" That felt a little less scary at least. At least then, his hands would be occupied by tearing at wrapping paper and thinking about gifts to wonder whether Rory also liked the handmade gift he'd got her. Casey's eyes drift back to Rory, only for his face to be illuminated by the size of his grin. "That way you don't have to suffer through an excited Mutiny message on Christmas morning too."

If Rory wasn’t tipsy, she’d be more embarrassed about how she perks up at the sound of Casey’s voice exactly the way a golden retriever would, her entire face lighting up as she turns around. She’s desperately trying to tamp down her excited grin, but it’s a losing battle. “You didn’t have to get me anything,” she reminds him as she accepts the pretty package, but even as she says it, her eyes are sparkling with delight. “C’mon you know I don’t have that kind of patience! But... if you want me to wait, I guess I could control myself until I can give you yours too.” It had taken longer than usual to figure out what to give Casey this year—mostly because money is even tighter than usual this year, which makes gift hunting more major stress than exciting quest. “Totally up to you.”

[caseyrussell]

There was a time in high school when the facade of not wanting to keep up with the Joneses had slipped - just for a few months - and he wondered how he could blend in seamlessly with a life like Elaine's. If that could even be possible. Harvey had always made it look effortless and that was probably where the envy had began - even before Elaine had ever meant as much as she did to Casey, it always felt like Harvey's future was so crystal clear; his more murky, a large question mark where future plans should have been. In many ways, he'd always wished there was a Hargrove senior in his own life just to take the reins as he clearly did not know what the hell he was doing.

But... for now, a snort exits his nose at Elaine's words. "Is that what rich people call play dates?" He teases, nudging her ever so slightly with his shoulder as his lips curve up into a playful smirk. "Nah, these events aren't all bad. I mean," and his voice quietens just a little, "there is an endless bounty of free drinks."

@elainexarcher said:

Elaine has never thought about it too much, how to act and what to say at things like this. Mostly, because she’d never known anything else. There wasn’t a time in her life where she wasn’t expected to make a good impression for her parents- whether that meant entertaining or pretending to listen. It was practically robotic for her at this point, sending her body through the motions while her mind was wandering somewhere else. And yeah- it sucked, but it wasn’t like she was good at anything else. Or like she’d ever actually break away from the grip Augustus and Evelyn had on her. There had only been one time in her life where she thought of leaving it all, and that dream had left town with Lux. “I guess I’m just… used to it,” she shrugs, “I’m pretty sure my first words were ‘I’ll have my secretary arrange a meeting.’ But don’t worry about it too much, just like- smile and nod. They all love to hear the sound of their own voice anyway.” 

[caseyrussell]

Although he wouldn't put it past H.A.H. to have mystical powers of brainwashing that extend beyond the realm of his own knowledge of them. Everyone knew that was just corporations.

Casey takes a sip from the mug in his hands which he has been clutching onto like it contains his lifeblood. "Oh, Frey... that's too fucking tempting right now, don't tease." Casey all but whines, pouting as he looks at the pianist. One day that could well be him. Forgetting why he'd got into music in the first place, selling his soul to some lifeless function by reciting out some tunes selected for him. The thought alone makes a small frown appear on his face before it disappears just as fast. Too much of a dreary route to take in his friend's company. "... You really think you can distract him long enough to get a few keys played?"

Freyja glanced in the piano man's direction, not bothering to try and disguise the fact they were talking about him. Doubt he'd take much offense to a select few of Cherry's misfits' disapproval. Even if they were two-thirds of ' the greatest music to hit the town in, like, ever '! "Well, Case, I don't think he's doing it of his own free will." It had been twisting her arm enough the first time Mackenzie wanted Freyja to play with Mystic Cherry outside of their shitty little garage practices. And she loved them! The idea of someone doing it at some snobby Christmas party for fun? No way. "Bribery is more likely than brainwashing." Though, she wouldn't be all that surprised if it came to light the latter was true.

The man plays on, oblivious to their cynicism, and it feels like a running theme of the party. Of every single formal event that Freyja and Casey fade into the background of. The sappy thought of being in it together crossed her mind each time, never leaving her lips because they were way cooler than that. "If he was hired -" eyes finally averted from the man for a glance in Casey's direction as she hushed her tone. "- or brainwashed by Mr. Holly, I think his asking price is gonna be much higher than that. They always hire people without a sense of humour for these things. Give me $20 and we can team up to take him down. I'll play some random keys because I'm sure Like A Virgin is pretty easy to learn as we go. Sing loud enough, and no one would notice anyways."

[caseyrussell]

who: @noahrussell what: i consider this a little russell renunion even if they've probably spent the entire day together anyway lmao where: in the backyard of the holly party!

These things were well rehearsed. Years of having to go to social events and Casey accepting party invites and towing Noah allowing with him with a chipper grin and a twinkle in his eye. All the while knowing that somewhere over the course of the evening, Noah would inevitably sneak off from the crowd. Tonight seems to be no exception, as Casey rounds the corner of the house and finds the familiar head of tussled brown hair that often seems to become the only person in the world he can bear to be around. Tonight is no exception. "C'mon. Budge up." Casey gestures, hand jutting out from where it'd been previously stuffed in his pocket to gesture Noah to move over. A small smile dances across his lips, "s'posed to respect your elders around Christmas." Not exactly true but it wasn't the first Christmas lie that had ever slipped past Casey's lips. 'Santa has a rule that the youngest in the family has to give all their older siblings at least five bucks' being the absolute pinnacle of Christmas pranks he'd tried to get Ronnie on board with. "Sides I feel like I haven't seen you all night."

[caseyrussell]

who: @elainexarcher what: it's that one scene in Our Flag Means Death where Blackbeard tries to blend in at the aristocratic party. That's the best way I can describe it. where: in the backyard of the holly party!

If he listens hard enough - over the hubbub of conversation - Casey can just about make out the pianist playing the chords of a bouncy holiday tune from indoors. He's long since snuck out the backdoor. Wanting the retreat of the cool air on his face and - if he's honest - avoiding the clammy feeling in his palms as he doesn't quite know how to work his way into a conversation between the adults.

"I dunno how you do these," he grumbles, looking over at two middle-aged Cherriots as they clink their glasses together and laugh in upper-class. "I know I never got it but it feels like the older we get the more I don't understand about... whatever they're doing. Like, honestly, half of these people might as well be speaking in, I dunno - Latin as far as I'm concerned." And maybe it's just the HOH internship decision that lingers above his head - the thought of potentially blending in with the who's who and having to actually engage at events like this - but there's a mixture of sympathy and intrigue in his eye as he glances at Elaine. Like he's simultaneously sorry for the fact she's had to be caged in to something like this ... and yet desperately seeks the answers to how he could blend in seamlessly. If he wanted. If he chose to. "How do you do it? Y'know, all these events... does it ever feel easier?"

[caseyrussell]

who: @libertyloulogan what: being glum... with a chum <3 where: in the backyard of the holly party!

It wasn't particularly cold but it's chilly enough for Casey to notice the bite to his cheeks as he makes his way out the door and into the backyard of the Holly home. Christmas was always a weird time for the middle Russell. If it weren't for his brothers, he thinks it would pass by like a normal calendar day. A small blip of where there should have been warmth and carols and community... or at least that's what they had in 'It's a Wonderful Life'. (And he definitely didn't know that because of his endless rewatches at this time of the year). But for now, he seeks out the only other company that has been known to give him the warm and fuzzies. His friends. "Have no fear-" Casey all but declares his presence to one of the only people he could guarantee would be having just a bad time as he was at a black tie event. Cheeky grin on his face by the time he catches sight of Liberty Logan.

"I come bearing the spirit of Christmas present," a smirk lights up his face as he delivers the line deadpan, reaching into his jacket pocket to grab the flask he'd brought in preparation for the night. "Can top off your eggnog if ya like."

[caseyrussell]

who: @roryjackson what: listen... sometimes i just am in the mood for soft friend things as a christmas treat! where: the holly party!

"Disclaimer," Casey says in lieu of greeting, small box wrapped in ludicrous layers of green and red from where he couldn't get the wrapping just right jutting into his stomach from where he's holding it too close to his body. "You are not my secret Santa but y'know..." Casey gives a nonchalant shrug. Or, that is, it should be nonchalent if the slight edge that maybe the subject of his brother's affections had suddenly had a personality change in the past twenty-four hours and would publicly reject a gift given from him hadn't clearly made its way into his disposition. "I consider you a friend and thought this would be pretty rad on our next car ride so." Finally, he extends the badly wrapped gift out, small smile clinging to his lips as he does. "Merry Christmas. You can save it for the day if you like or whatever... y'know. If you wanna be traditional."

[caseyrussell]

who: @freeserburnn what: another town hosted party... another chance to bitch about it where: the holly house &lt;;3

"D'ya think Mr. Holly specifically hired a guy for that?" Casey asks, tipping the badly hidden alcohol in his mug in the direction of the piano player. These things, from Casey's experience, almost seemed to have a rulebook from which they'd play out from. The fancy people of Cherry Proper would 'mingle' and exchange 'small talk', maybe discuss whatever Reagan was doing to fuck up the economy next before giving themselves a pat on the back for one-upping themselves on the year before in the unspoken competition of gift giving. Casey, naturally, would always find himself holding back a snort and an eye roll... while simultaneously admiring the Christmas decorations.

It's almost as natural now that Freyja's by his side as the piano player continues to carry out a rendition of some Bing Crosby number, Casey leaning over to add onto his sentence conspiratorially. Because who else was there to share a time-honoured tradition of trashing town events with? It's almost heart-warming. Almost. If he was actually into traditions. "Like if I tip him a $20 would he whack out 'Like a Virgin'... maybe let me drape myself on top of it to serenade you all? Y'know. Really bring the spirit of giving to this party."

[caseyrussell]

[caseyrussell]

label moodboards  »  the thrillseeker

[caseyrussell]

FULL NAME: Casey Kennedy Russell

AGE: 20

BIRTHDATE: [tbd while Ella looks for a date in april that will give this man his astrological placements... bear with me x]

GENDER: Cis man

OCCUPATION: College student, prospective internship at HAH

POSITIVE TRAITS: dauntless, outgoing, protective, adaptable, passionate, direct, resilient, compassionate, loving, caring, fun loving

NEGATIVE TRAITS:  impulsive, impatient, brooding, reckless, secretive, cynical, hotheaded, adaptable, defensive, stubborn

ASTROLOGICAL PLACEMENTS: Aries sun, Scorpio moon, Pisces rising, Taurus mercury, Pisces mars, Aries venus (yes, that one earth placement is clinging on for dear life) 

INSPIRATION: [John Bender (The Breakfast Club), Ronan Lynch (The Raven Cycle), Sirius Black (Harry Potter), James Cook (Skins), Jess Mariano (Gilmore Girls), Han Solo (Star Wars), Daniel Desario (Freaks and Geeks), Heathcliff (Wuthering Heights), Marianne Sheridan (Normal People)]

Biography (tw child abuse/child neglect)

It feels like a life borrowed from someone else a lot of the time. Like watching yourself from the outside in as the movie plays before you. Life led as if it's a chair whose occupant had recently left - the uncertainty of when they might come back and take it away at any moment. Or at least, that's how it would feel when Casey grew old enough to understand his feelings beyond the confusion, sadness and loneliness that would tug in his gut no matter how busy their house was. With a name borrowed from two men greater than he, perhaps it was set in stone from day one that he'd settle nicely between his two brothers. Slap bang in the middle (although there's never a complaint, Ronnie and Noah have always been two of the better things going on in his life).

It wasn't as if Mila Russell ever gave the impression she wanted kids. In fact, from the way Ronnie often felt like more of a parent than his mother - Casey would argue that they were all just something that kind of happened to her rather than the kind of wish mothers made in Disney movies. Or whatever the Cabbage Patch dolls origin story tried to sell. Mr. Russell didn't give much of an impression at all; out the door when Casey's just about old enough to nag Ronnie for answers and imagine what their male 'role model' may be up to.

And it's fantastical. In the way children's imaginations often are, the ideas are farfetched. Ideas of him travelling and collecting stories, contributing to world peace... saving people from burning buildings and cats from up trees. To a little boy who had a mischievious grin and was otherwise told he had too much energy, the fantastical tales of what his 'dad' may be up to got Casey through his earliest school days. Your dad's an accountant? Well, my dad sang with John Lennon'. He never says it's in his dreams. Mr. Russell is a hero to everyone in his imagination. Everyone except for Casey who had longed for a parental figure at parents' nights without ever really knowing. For the kind of stability that he saw his friends have at school and that his mother's latest fling wasn't providing.

He'd picked up a bass that a fling had left behind at some point and that was the new story. Mr. Russell - had to leave at the drop of the hat as the Stones requested him as their understudy bassist. It didn't matter then that Casey didn't even know the name of the instrument in his hands. It was about vision.

It would have been easier if Mr. Russell had remained a dream. Casey could have handled the arguments with his mother's boyfriends or the tension in their house if he'd still had a hope that somewhere out there, an adult in his family was good. But, as he'd come to accept, that just wasn't life. Not black and white. Because Mr. Russell comes back and he makes sure all of them know he's returned, too. It's not even the bruises or the gashes that happen subsequently that hurt most - it's the thought that they'd been abandoned because a man loved liquor more than he loved them. And it leaves a confused ache in Casey's bones that he's not sure has ever fully shifted (only lifted slightly by Elaine and then Zahra). But it's more than that too. Because where the hurt glazes over, and the tear stains dry on pillows, it leaves something deeper in his chest. Anger. As intense as he's ever felt it.

Which might just be Casey in a nutshell. Intensity in every emotion that rips through him and takes control. He's the loud guffaw at the back of the car on a long journey when the silence is a bit too loud, the excessive tap to a back and riproaring cheer at a friend's success, and the need to replace nights spent crying into a pillow with sources of entertainment by any means necessary. It's all or nothing.

Of course, over time, the intense feeling of anger died to a duller feeling of resentment and cynicism that carried him forward through high school. Faded into the biting remark that would chip away at one of his mother's new flings or the need to stand up to Mr. Russell on behalf of either of his brothers. It would have been easier to ignore them entirely. Perhaps take solace in the fact that in a few years, Ronnie would be eighteen and could save them all from it. But Casey has never been known to take the easy way out of anything. Driven solely by his heart and not guided by his head. If no adult would stand up against his demons and fight for him - he'd do it himself; craft stories out of the bruises that sounded fantastical and make himself a hero. Still would. Even if, somewhere in the midst of hearing criticisms and remarks, he wasn't so sure he was worth fighting for. (He still isn't).

High school was mainly just another way to act out. Stupid rules and stupid social hierarchies. Somewhere... however... the want to escape from the bubble that was Cherry rose up in between wanting to actually be someone Elaine would want to be with and crafting himself into what his richer friends seemed to be granted naturally. The kind of person that his friend's father, Harvard Hargrove II seemed to be - poised, put together... being able to command effortless respect (aside from the capitalism). Of course, in Casey's eyes, this also meant needing to be twice as good as his best friend - Harvey.

It fails in many ways. He fails in many more and it takes the next two years after high school just to scramble together the pieces in an attempt to put them back together again while hoping behind a scowl that no-one would notice. He thinks he's just about holding together now - somehow. There's less nights spent chugging away at a bottle and asking people to dare him to do something careless. There's a lot less hoping he leaves the world rather than just the town borders... although he'd still take leaving town in an amazing blaze of glory any day and leaving his mark. But for now, he'll handle it. He somehow always manages to anyway.

HEADCANONS

Massive Led Zeppelin fan. He has three tattoos behind his left ear of the symbols from their fourth album and hopes to be able to get the full four eventually!

Adores animals. Is the guy at a party who purposely seeks out ur dog just to scratch them behind the ears. Would happily petsit for anyone in the gang and probably has, like, a crap ton of polaroid pictures of himself with Rex Russell. 

Very much a follower of the ‘here for a good time, not a long time’ mantra. 

Loves ABBA an ungodly amount but hides all of their records in inconspicuous sleeves. If you see two copies of 'London Calling' in his house? One copy is ABBA gold.

Rides a secondhand motorcycle that backfires far too often and really should probably be scrapped but he’s ~nostalgic~ and loves it anyway. 

Used to play soccer in high school but was asked ‘politely’ to leave the team after being constantly red carded for trying to start fights with the other team. He still kicks around a soccer ball every now and then and will happily talk your ear off about his (not so lowkey) crush on Diego Maradona. 'Did you see him at the 1982 World Cup? No? Want to watch the highlights I recorded on VHS?".

He has a map of the world taped to his wall covered by... another map of the world taped on the wall! The old one is ripped at every corner from where he has almost torn it down in a fit of rage, and yet it stays. It serves as a reminder that there’s more to life than just Cherry where everything seems impossible.

Loves a microwave meal. For the longest time, they were the only thing he really knew how to make so he’s learnt how to spruce them up a little. Nowadays, his cooking abilities don't extend much beyond this rip.

Adoooores Albert Camus and existentialist philosophy. Yes, he does want to understand the meaning of life because really,,,, what the fuck.

[caseyrussell]

Stranger Things Chapter Five: The Nina Project | 4.05

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[caseyrussell]

tag dump!