this is me trying.

"See, that's where you're wrong," He announced, shaking his head on the contrary, "I don't think," He did for the most part. Well, he liked to believe so. "But that does sound pretty...accurate considering some members here look like they're barely alive." He wasn't sure if it was the botox or how they acted, "Would go well with their matching hearts of stone." That was the saying, right? He stuck his cigarette back in his mouth, maneuvering around to grab another one from his pack and putting it towards her, grabbing his lighter in case she needed. "Are we just going to stand here and stare at this rain, or are you gonna spill the beans on what you're needin' one of these for?" He figured she wouldn't be out here for no reason. If there was one thing he picked up on, or at least what he thought he picked up on., rich people always did things for a reason.

cass likes russ. he isn't the kind of person that she typically spends time with, their social circles having virtually zero reason for overlap other than him being the staff at the country club. but she likes that she doesn't have to going through the keeping up with the joneses with him — doesn't have to worry about being polished. she takes the cigarette and lighter from him and even before sparking it up feels the knot in her shoulders begin to loosen. smoke fills her lungs thanks to the deep inhale and she rolls her eyes at his question. "lia's being a shit," she comments, as if that should sum up everything. "fucking teenagers, man." despite what she says, cass does feel bad for her daughter. her life has been flipped on it's axis and that's a hard thing for anyone to go through but it's been wearing cassandra down just as much. "she still thinks tucker's a saint and i can't correct her without making her think i'm an even bigger asshole than she already does."

𝐂𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 featuring MAIKA HEIDEN and CASSANDRA MADDEN

it would've been nice of tucker could have kept his dick in his pants within the town limits, cass thinks. at least then she wouldn't have to risk running face to face with someone from his parade of women every day — just like she's done now. though maika claims to have never slept with him, cass sincerely doubts that but it doesn't change anything one way or another. "i'm not going to punch you." she rolls her eyes. "i just got my nails done, it wouldn't be worth messing them up. and i don't have time to sit in a holding cell waiting assault charges." her rage mostly sits on her ex husband, but the embarrassment that comes from seeing the evidence of his wandering hands and eyes often turns to anger in an attempt at self preservation but she's not going to go around slinging punches.

"hello, cass." lena murmured, voice quiet as she stared at a painting she was particularly enraptured with. her hands were folded in front of her body, thumb stroking over the scars on her left knuckles, and she was trying desperately not to chew on her bottom lip. it was just... she was nervous. "thank you for agreeing to meet with me," she finally, at last, glanced at the woman and gave her a shaky smile. "i was really just heading through the exhibits today and i wondered..." hesitant, every horrible thing thrown at her from her parents suddenly rearing their ugly heads, she glanced down at her hands, knuckles white. "do you ever take on pieces from new talents for exhibits?" the question was out there, and lena swallowed somewhat harshly, thinking of her art on display. it hadn't been on display in years - more than twenty, in fact - but she'd been struck with the inspiration late last night in a fit of agony. the feeling hadn't left despite her reservations. she even thought she knew the answer to her own question, but had no idea how to go about submitting pieces. @promiisedlands

nervous isn't a word cass typically associates with lena but it comes off of her in waves now. when her assistant had told her the brunette was looking for her, she'd been more than happy to take a break and go say hi. "lena," she greets her, heels clicking across the hardwood as she joins the other woman. her eyes glance between lena and the piece in front of them, a particular favourite of hers. she raises a brow, turning to fully face lena. "i'm always open to new artists if their pieces fit the theme of a show i'm doing or a private collection someone is trying to expand or even just for the gallery here at the studio." the private gallery at her office was extensive, elaborate and evergrowing. "i had a handful of local artists submit for the show i did at north star house this month. do you know someone interested?"

what: closed starter for cassandra madden @promiisedlands

of course cass has been aware of cooper's presence in town, but she had been just as content to ignore him as it seemed he was to ignore her. not that she had a problem with him — honestly, cass had always been more of ethan's friend growing up, but when they both ended up in nyc she had gotten closer to the younger hawkins' brother — but her she'd been so busy dealing with her imploded life that she figured she would let him come to her whenever he was ready. so she's surprised now to hear him acknowledge her, a brow raising as she turns her attention to the man. "hey coop," she mirrors the smile he offers. "s'been a while. how're you settling in?"

— who:  theo & cass. (@promiisedlands) — where: north star house. — when: the end of a weekend event.

cass thrives on nights like this. when she finally gets to see the last six months worth of work in all of it's completed glory. museum exhibits like this aren't the bread and butter of her business, but she isn't really in a position to say no to any contracts that approach her these days. and besides, what kind of asshole would say no when the women's shelter was hosting a fundraising event? so she has spent the past half a year diligently researching, pulling strings and tracking down connections to make the collection adorning the walls a reality. there was a mixture of media and styles, local artists mixed with critically recognized pieces. as far as she was concerned, she'd hit the nail on the goddamn head and impressed even herself.

Location: Fool's Gold

closed starter who: russ and cassandra @promiisedlands where: alta sierra country club (on a deck?)

cassandra is entirely all too familiar with the designated smoking areas of the country club and this certainly isn't one of them. but after a particularly brutal — and public — dress down from lia about how she'd ruined their family, she can't really find it in herself to care. her daughter had stomped off, jumped into one of her friend's mercedes and left her seething in the dust. she needs a vodka iv stat, but that seems unrealistic so she'll settle for a cigarette. "do you think rich people lungs are gold studded and silk lined?" she questions, a brow raised in russ' direction. she likes russ, shockingly. unpolished and rough around the edges, cass doesn't feel the need to always put her best foot forward with him. "tell you what, i'll keep your secret if you give me one of those."