For the applyfic Calamity by -venusvintage

FULL NAME: Caspar Sunil Pollock

NICKNAMES: Cas

PREFERRED NAME: Caspar

AGE: 24

GENDER/PRONOUNS: Male, he/him

SEXUALITY: Bisexual

FACECLAIM: Dev Patel

PERSONALITY: Caspar is an expert at sneaking around. It would be a mistake to ask him about why, and he wouldn't tell you, but it's really just because of his history of stealing. He was pretty good at it, and has kept the skill. He's also rather quiet and holds all his cards close to his chest, preferring to observe those around him instead. He doesn't tell people anything if he can help it, and this can make him come across as arrogant or distrusting. Only one of those is true—Caspar doesn't trust people. They've failed him too much for him to just trust easily, even if he wants to—they have to earn it. He doesn't really like people, though, and prefers to be on his own. He's very solitary, and an introvert. He's also very intelligent. Caspar taught himself to read when he was four, and his mind moves faster than most. He's proud of his intelligence, but doesn't brag about it. In fact, if one actually could get to know him, he could be described as humble. He doesn't overplay his own abilities and would gladly put others first if he actually trusted them. He just...doesn't really trust anyone enough to. And few have taken the time to chip at his walls. His friends, this group, are some of those few, and he has given them all they could ask of him—his trust, his friendship, his love. Caspar is a very all or nothing sort of guy, and that very much shows. However, he is never talkative, never the rambling sort. He is quiet.

BACKSTORY: Caspar's life was really rough at first. His mother, Sonal Gupta, was a college student when he was born, and wasn't able to care for him—and her conservative parents refused to acknowledge him, meaning Caspar was dropped off at an orphanage at only a few weeks old. The orphanage kept records of his birth mom, but weren't able to give Caspar her information, as her family was adamant she have nothing to do with him. Caspar grew up in the orphanage, surrounded by other children. He had to share a room, and the place was kind of overcrowded. They got the best that the owners could afford, but sometimes that wasn't enough. Cas taught himself to read using the older kids' schoolbooks, and at a young age started stealing in order to feed himself more than the crowded orphanage could provide. He's never had many friends, even at the schools he was sent to, though he did well at school—Caspar's always liked learning. He's never liked people, and has always been wary of them. When he was thirteen, Caspar was adopted by the Pollock family, a mixed-race family with a white father and Indian mother. They already had a daughter, Jenna, but wanted to adopt and expand their family, and thought Caspar would be perfect. They underestimated how hard it would be to adopt a thirteen-year-old with a stealing habit and attitude problems, though, and Caspar had a good couple of years of making everyone's lives miserable—or at least, he tried to. His adoptive parents were patient with him and loved him. Over time, Caspar grew to understand that this family wasn't leaving him or giving him up, and to be honest, he loves his adoptive family. Not that he'll admit it. Sadly, Caspar's stealing habit never did go away, and he was told by his therapist that he has kleptomania a couple years ago—he does his best to keep it in check, but he slips sometimes, and already has a reputation as a thief. Caspar chose to go to college because he loves learning and it was a big goal of his. He's always wanted to make something of himself, and in this society, college often seems like the way to do it. He studied English, his favorite subject, and while it wasn't easy, he made it through.

FAMILY: Birth father unknown. Birth mother, Sonal Gupta. Adoptive mother, Varsha Pollock, 47. Adoptive father, Fraser Pollock, 47. Older adoptive sister, Jenna Pollock, 27. Nephew, Jay Pollock, 3.

CURRENT OCCUPATION: School librarian—he works at the high school he went to.

WHAT'S CHANGED SINCE COLLEGE? A few things. Caspar moved out of his family home and into a rented place with some friends from high school that he reconnected with. He got a job, and was dating a boy recently—but they broke up amicably a few months back.

IS HE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? HOW MUCH CONTACT HAS HE HAD WITH THE OTHERS? He is on social media, but doesn't use it a lot. He responds to the messages the others send, though usually not right away—he's busy and sort of forgetful, but he does care about them and want to talk to them. Sometimes he'll have long chats with them.

HIS INITIAL REACTION TO VALLIE'S INVITATION: Surprise, but not apprehension. He hadn't expected Vallie to do this, but he was happy to accept.

ALCOHOL/SUBSTANCES: No. Okay, Caspar's tried alcohol and weed, and it was... okay. But he knows himself well enough to not risk addictive substances.

LIKES/DISLIKES/FEARS: Caspar likes being alone, sunshine, comfortable clothes, having long hair, having his own room, quiet, cats, large books, and his parents. He dislikes crowds, most people, being forced to talk to most people, bright lights, extremely loud music, dogs, rain, snow. He fears that he'll wake up one day and have no family—that he dreamed all the good parts. He's afraid of pain, and has a low pain tolerance.

SONGS: Pyro by Shinedown, Papercut by Linkin Park, When the Devil Come by Demon Hunter.

QUOTES: "No. And that's final. Leave me alone." "What the actual fuck, man." "It's been way too long. I missed you guys."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Caspar is a big reader—he loves books more than anything. He has a habit of pushing his hair out of his face, and fidgeting with pencils when he's nervous or has lots of energy (his adoptive dad thinks he has ADHD, but nothing has been proven). He tends to worry at the sleeves of his shirts.

applyfic status: complete!