College: No. She completed her GED when she was eighteen.
Chronic diseases/Other Illness: No.
Allergies: Lactose intolerant, cosmetics
Smokes: She sneaks them every now and then, and when her kids are out of town.
Drinks: She'll have a beer or a glass of wine with dinner, but that's about it.
Left or right handed: Left
Briggs Meyers Type: ESFJ
Appearance
Height: 5'7"
Build: Athletic
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Long, brown waves
Complexion: Pale. Even though she spends a lot of time outdoors. She burns to a crisp, and when the burn fades, she's pale all over again.
Glasses: Yes. Either glasses or contacts, depending on the situation. Always glasses when she's doing detail work. Her sunglasses are prescription.
Accent: Cadissy has a light southern accent.
Scars:
*Two incisions, one below her belly button and the other just north of her nether region, from an appendix operation.
*Six inch caesarean scar.
*Circular scar tissue on her right knee from a climbing accident.
*Seven inch long incision scar up the back of her left arm, from surgery she had from falling off of a horse and breaking her upper arm.
*Burn scar on the knuckles of her right hand. She seared it on an oven.
Tattoos: A star on her ankle and a small key just beneath her right hipbone.
Piercings: Ear lobes, belly button.
Usually wears: Jeans with a tank top or a t-shirt, or a sundress if the weather's right. Sandals, chucks, or cowboy boots.
Never wears: Formal wear. She owns a sleeveless black dress that can pass for weddings and funerals.
On November 2nd:
Personality
The first thing most people notice about Cadissy is that she's quick to laugh. She has a charming quality of finding humor everywhere and being utterly willing to succumb to it. She is and always has been a tomboy by nature, but she's not ashamed of her feminine side when it manages to rear its head. She can be highly cooperative and helpful, when she feels like it, but she tends to buck if she feels like she doesn't have a choice in something.
Zen helped her figure herself out and gave her the sense of center she needed to be a good mother for Malachai and she's very serious about the practical applications of that center. That said, she's more spiritual than religious and cares more about the heart of an action than its trappings.
She has no opinions about herself as a mother because she spends all that time thinking more about her children than she does about herself. She includes all of her kids in family decisions and enforces the rules of the house through reason and fun. She makes chores a game and homework a puzzle, and always makes sure to give her children the right to work through their phases and personal ideals. She cooked meat for both Malachai and Tobias when they asked, and lets them experiment with different religious, political, and social ideologies, guiding by example rather than anything else.
In social situations, she's gregarious. She loves to be surrounded by noise and people, most specifically her children. Friendships are very important to her and she will often go out of her way to form them.
Worst Habit: A tendency towards rebellion.
Greatest Strength: She's fast on her feet.
Biggest Fear: Losing her children.
Most Common Misconception: That she's all sweetness and light.
Personal History
The Beginning (1969-1983):
Cadissy was named such because her mother was on so many drugs at the hospital after she was born that when she tried to write "Cassidy", she dyslexed. In 1970, Abigail was diagnosed with breast cancer, and the following year she died, leaving her daughter in the care of her roving, rodeo clown of a husband.
That Damned Record (1983-1987):
Ricky swept Cadissy off her feet when she was fourteen years old. She ran out of her trailer and left town with him only two months after she met him. Ricky was three years older than her--smart, savvy, and a fast talker. He didn't run with a rough crowd, he ran the crowd. He played people like a pianist hits the keys and conned his way into hearts and homes. He taught her everything he knew about breaking a lock or a safe (his father had spent nine years in prison for safe-cracking and had taught him the ropes). In 1986, while working a bank in southern Florida, Ricky was shot and killed. Cadissy was seventeen. She was convicted of seven counts of breaking and entering and of being an accessory to armed robbery, and sent to juvie, where she found out she was pregnant. Because she had never been involved in the violent portions of the crimes she was associated with, and because she was a minor, she was released into her father's custody with an ankle monitor for the duration of her pregnancy. Then due to good behavior, she was put on parole for the duration of her sentence. Her record, however, would never be expunged.
Growing Up (1987-1994):
Cadissy had to learn, at age eighteen, not only how to be a responsible, law-abiding citizen, but also how to be a single mother. She traveled the Texas circuit with her father in his trailer, and devoted herself to her son. By the time that Malachai was old enough for school, she'd completed her GED and gotten a job doing auto-repair outside of Austin with a large enough income to put food on the table in a little one bedroom apartment. She made sure to work with him every night, to impress upon him not the importance of education, but the fun of figuring out the puzzles presented in the school work.
Mrs. Dempsey (1994-2001):
In 1993, Cadissy met Claude Dempsey when he came to the repair shop to have his classic Porsche maintained. He was entranced by her devil-take-all attitude and the span of her milky skin beneath the oil-stained tank top. It took a little longer this time, and she was a little more cautious, but Claude wasn't a con. He was the heir to a cattle empire. He had the means to offer Malachai anything he could possibly need and was willing enough to accept her son as his. So, in 1994, she married him. Unfortunately, Claude hadn't expected her to remain the same woman once she was married. Cadissy still hasn't figured out just why he thought she'd suddenly become a debutante. Two weeks after their marriage, he learned about her record and accused her of seducing him to get at his money. He dressed her up and took her to fancy parties, but every time they got home he made it very clear that she was nothing but an embarrassment to him. She was pregnant within a couple months of their marriage. He called her a brood mare. She just smiled, rested her hand over the kicking Tobias there, and nicknamed her second son Trickpony. She loved her sons fiercely and Claude, though cruel to her, was generous with the boys--if not with his time, then with his means. She bore it, for them. Then, in 2000, just a week after she'd learned she was pregnant once more, she witnessed Claude raising a hand to Malachai. She took her children and left him right then, without a second thought. The divorce was an ugly thing. She moved to Pleasant Port to put some distance between herself and the proceedings, to give her children a place to be without being inundated with the news of it in the tabloids and on the news. In the end there was little proof of Claude's cruelty, and he nearly wrested complete custody from her before his own mother stepped in to make the case for the children being raised by their mother.
Home Port (2001-present):
Cadissy put her nose to the grind in Pleasant Port. She started out working long hours at the Appliance Store and Woodstoves' Autorepair until she was promoted to manager at the Appliances Store. Then a few years after that, the previous owner (Bruce MacAvoy) retired and moved to Miami with his wife, leaving the store to her. Over the years, she's found a way to put her dingy past to use, offering her services as a locksmith, key maker, and home security expert alongside what she's learned about repair. She's worked hard to make a place for herself and her children, and will continue to do so. In 2005, Malachai went off to college and her heart broke just a little.
Malachai is the reason Cadissy turned her life around. She misses him every day he's away, and every day he's home with her again is a cause for celebration.
Tobias is his brother's secret keeper and his mother's knight of the castle. He hates his father, a fact that causes Cadissy some distress despite the fact she agrees with him, and is fiercely loyal to his family. He's her right hand man in the garage and thinks he knows everything there is to know about the inside of a Chevrolet.
Abby is Cadissy's little Abby-muffin. She's a sweet thing and has been kept a little in the dark about the reasons for her parents divorce. She feels very loved, even though she only sees her dad every couple weeks.
Malachai's father
Richard Winters
Ricky
Deceased
Ricky swept Cadissy off her feet and out of her mind when she was just 14. He introduced her to a life of crime and died before he knew he'd fathered a son. She loved him with her whole heart and has no regrets.
Ex-husband
Claude Dempsey
Claude
44
Cadissy married Claude in 1994 and the honeymoon was over two weeks after their vows. She left him in 2001 when she saw him hitting Malachai. Malachai swears to her that was the only time he had, but she's never completely believed him or forgiven herself for that.
Mother
Abigail Mary Dresden
Deceased
Cadissy's mother died of breast cancer when Cadissy was just two years old. She doesn't remember much about her, but her father always told her fantastic stories.
Father
Sam Curtis Dresden
72
Sam Dresden was a rodeo clown and carried his daughter around the circuit with him until she ran away from him when she was fourteen. He let her go, knowing she was a wild thing, and when he came to claim her from juvenile hall a few years later, he kicked himself soundly for thinking she hadn't needed a father. From that point on, he did his best to be there for her however she needed him. They've always been more friends than father and daughter.
Cadissy's children are her family, and they're a wild bunch. Usually, all of them (including Cadissy) can be seen running wild in the yard of their house or having water fights over the car. They bike together, climb together, hike together, and jump into the river in their clothes together-- there's always laughter surrounding them. Cadissy's made sure of that. The only time when their house is really quiet is on the weekends that Tobias and Abby go to spend with their father in Texas. Then, Cadissy flees the normally jovial atmosphere and loses herself in crowds or activity until they come back to her.
Relationships with other Characters (Non-family)
Scott Archer: Cadissy knows Scott through his friendship with her son Malachai. She enjoys the way he sees the world and looks forward to talking with him when she sees him around town.
Nicolette Collins: Nicolette was one of the first people Cadissy met when she moved to Pleasant Port. As a neighbor, as a friend, Cadissy's grateful for her. Nicolette has plenty of good advice which Cadissy sometimes even takes.
Travis Collins: Cadissy knows Travis through his mother, but not much besides. She likes to see him around town and wishes he'd come out of his shell more. She counts herself lucky to be one of the people he seems comfortable with.
Michel Decker: Cadissy met Michel when she came to class to watch Tobias' presentation on the Middle Ages. She found him funny and charming and they struck up a friendship rather quickly. She flirts back just as much as she's flirted with, but nothing has happened between them as of now - it's just friendly.
Leon Doherty: Leon moved in practically next door to Cadissy on Farmer's. She met him shortly afterward due to the unfortunate aim of her daughter's water pistol. Despite the odd introduction, they befriended each other rather easily, and it isn't strange to see Leon and Cian joining in on the Dresden house romps. Cadissy sometimes keeps an eye on Cian when Leon has to work late and does so happily. They haven't talked much about their pasts, which both of them appreciate, but Cadissy considers Leon a good friend.
Fionnegan Gallagher: Cadissy met Fionn at the dog park. She thought he was a riot and, while she doesn't know him very well yet, she hopes to.
Tim Jenkins: Cadissy works on Tim's quad bike when it needs repairs or upgrades, which she finds rewarding financially and philosophically. They have similar beliefs and interests, and Cad's always happy to see him. Besides, Tim's got a great butt and he's not hard to talk to. No complaints on her end.
Brian Miller: In April 2007, while working on installing a full, detailed security system on a large house in Belleville, Cadissy decided to contract out on some of the wiring work. She hired Brian, because she likes to keep things local, and found his work more than satisfactory. She showed him how she needed the work done and he blew through the job, shortening her proposed schedule by a third. After the job was over, she offered to contract her wiring work out to him on a job by job basis.
Charlotte Miller: Cadissy knows Charlotte from the Wiccan store where she buys her meditation candles and incense.
Fletcher Montgomery: Cadissy met Fletcher when she and her son were about to go cliff diving. The three of them dove together and it was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Her son, Malachai, and Fletcher went hiking and climbing together, and when they wanted to go on overnight camps, Cadissy would go to supervise and generally join in the fun. After Malachai left, Fletcher helped to fill the gap Cadissy felt and she thinks of him as another son and a good friend.
Jesse Thompson: Jesse stopped some older boys from seriously hurting her son Tobias while he was taking some advanced classes at the high school, and brought him home to her. That was how they met. Eventually they learned they had a lot of common ground and became friends taking their respective kids on hikes and climbs around the area. He's quickly become one of her best friends and she knows Toby and Abby feel safe around him.
Luke Questal: Cadissy met Luke when she started working at Woodstoves' the first year she arrived in Pleasant Port. Even though she left auto-repair to work at the Appliance store, she still keeps in touch with the guys from the shop and loves them both for giving her a chance when she first came to town.
Relationships with Inactive Characters (Non-family)
Brady Hernandez: Cadissy buys all the birthday cakes for her family from Samantha's bakery. For Abigail's birthday, Brady even made her a special ice cream cake. Cadissy thinks he's a wonderful father and missed him when he was gone.
Norah Parker: Norah babysits for her kids on the rare occasions that she can't be with them. Cadissy thinks the girl's lovely, finds her art impressive, and loves the way she is with her kids.
Relationships with NPC Characters (Non-family)
Gerard Woodstoves: Cadissy met Gerard when she started working at Woodstoves' the first year she arrived in Pleasant Port. Even though she left auto-repair to work at the Appliance store, she still keeps in touch with the guys from the shop and loves them both for giving her a chance when she first came to town.
Life
Hobbies: Working on classic cars, playing board games, gardening, anything that requires sweat and repays with wonder.
Likes: Her children, creating things, the outdoors, the classics.
Dislikes: Not smoking, her ex-husband and his custody rights, being alone.
Favorite film: The Great Escape, The Apartment, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, I'm No Angel
Favorite song: "Blowin' in the Wind", Bob Dylan; "Hotel California", the Eagles; "Wild Thing", Chip Taylor
Favorite quote: "Character is like a tree and reputation like it's shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing." - Abraham Lincoln
"Family isn't about whose blood you have. It's about who you care about." - South Park
First Kiss: When she was fifteen, under the football bleachers.
Longest relationship: 6 years.
Ever had a broken heart: Yes.
If you want to win her heart, you have to be: slow and sweet as warm molasses.
3 things she can't stand in guys: arrogance, coldness, and carelessness.
Does she believe in love at first sight? Absolutely.
For her, love is: impossible to live without, but complicated as hell.
Questionnaire
What makes her...
...Joyfully smile? Her kids, the purr of a motor, and swish of a lock.
...Laugh quietly? Her reputation and every silly joke her kids tell her.
...Get on the dancefloor? She's there before anyone knew it even was a dance floor.
...Hide in the corner? Being alone.
...Cry her eyes out? Seeing her kids drive away.
...Lick her lips? A challenge.
Favorite…?
Ice cream flavour: Mint chocolate chip
Flower: Gerber daisies.
TV show: South Park
Every day reading: The Onion, the New York Times
Holiday: Fourth of July/her birthday
What is/are...
Her biggest accomplishment: Her children.
The first thing she does in the morning? Drink a gallon of coffee.
The worst thing she did as a child? Breaking and entering.
The best advice she has ever received? "If you lead a meaningful life, you never really die."
The best yet worst thing about her? Her rebellious nature.
Cadissy Likes...
Things on-hand at all times...
Cadissy at a Glance
Cadissy is a offbeat vegan, meaning basically that she doesn't eat meat, dairy, or eggs... but she does eat fish. She really likes fish.
Cadissy has a criminal record.
Cadissy started following Zen when she was under "house-arrest" with her father and carrying Malachai. She went to the Border Zen Center in Dallas for two years and has maintained her private practice ever since.
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