STACCATO

everything we deeply love, will be a part of us forever

[elisexrueng]

𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐄𝐍𝐆

full name: Elise Rueng

gender & pronouns: Cis woman & she/her

age & date of birth: 29, October 22, 1993

where do they live: Southside

time living in bradford springs: 20 years & return a year ago (back and forth between CO & TN before settling in over the summer).

occupation: sound engineer & foley artist

positive traits: determined, disciplined, thoughtful

negative traits: abrasive, jaded, reticent

faceclaim: Davika Hoorne

sister to @bunny-rueng

inspo: pinterest

BACKGROUND. FULL BIO HERE.

(TW: car accident, death, alcohol, ptsd, cancer)

Born in Bradford, Southside. 

Never knew her mom, but she, her older sister, Eden, and younger sister, Bunny, were raised by their dad who did odd jobs and played music at night 

Eventually she grew to love music as well and veered classical, exploring cello and excelling at it quite a bit

Ended up going to the community college in Bradford to stack up on some additional credits and then was going to apply to a conservatory 

Freshman year of college she, Bunny and Eden, were involved in a car accident that proved fatal for her older sister and shattered all hopes she had of playing professionally with the injuries sustained.

She spent the next six months – year recovering and trying to figure out what she wanted to do before getting into a sound engineering program in TN. She ended up moving to Nashville after college and began working in sound production and foley work on the side. 

The reason she’s back in town is because her dad’s just got a bad diagnosis and she wants to be there for him/help out

EXTRAS.

Her father would rent a cello for her from the local music store but when she was 15, he and Eden (who’d been working an after school job) managed to save enough to buy her her own 4/4, which she still has and uses. 

Her relationship with her cello is temperamental, a tie between frustration and loss, acceptance and determination. She can no longer play the way she used to, and that hurts, but she’s determined not to lose her connection to it. It took a year before she felt ready to play. Still, even now her arms hurt on certain days. Nuts and bolts were never meant to go on in bone. 

She and her dad watch a lot of Asian dramas together – K dramas, T dramas, V dramas, J dramas and C Dramas, especially after his chemo when he’s exhausted and can’t do much else. 

For a while she really struggled getting into a car if she wasn’t driving/didn’t have control of it 

She suffered from PTSD in those early years but therapy and time has helped her heal quite a bit.

She has a cat named Friday who’s become one of her dad’s best friends the past few months. 

She and Bunny have been more or less radio silent for the past nine years. It’s a painful reality that she doesn’t know how to fix. She keeps up with Bunny’s music and has bought a few merch items that she keeps in the back of her closest. Despite the anger and blame she feels towards her sister, she feels equal amounts of guilt and regret and has never known how to process the two conflicting realities. 

CONNECTIONS.

CHILDHOOD FRIENDS: People she grew up with & who knew her family

MUSIC INDUSTRY FRIENDS: People she’s worked with or wants to work with, either on their musical endeavors or if they ever were in need of a foley artist in recent years.

GOOD DOCTOR(s): Not just doctors but people who helped her at the time of her accident and throughout recover 

MORE TO COME 

[elisexrueng]

odessa-kashirsky​:-

Odessa nodded, giving Elise a sympathetic smile. Sisterhood wasn’t easy and she knew she was lucky that hardship brought her and Annika closer rather than apart. “I hope it all works out. I know it will, maybe when you least expect it to.” she said softly before nudging back into Elise with a laugh. “I know you’d do the same for me but for now we can just have fun, and worry about things another time.” she chuckled and moved to her feet, making a friendly grabby hand for Elise to follow. “Oh yes, we pick our days when we want.” she explained, waiting until Elise was up so she could take the other woman’s hand and bring her arm under hers. “I have the perfect routine before I go somewhere too, you will love it. And I have plenty of dresses too, and shoes.” It was where most of her money got to now she actually had freedom over her own finances. “Do you think a black dress will make you feel better? Black dresses are good for that.”

•

“Maybe,” Elise nods, trying to think more positive thoughts as she finishes her coffee and moves to follow her friend. “Okay, if you’re sure. Thanks, Des...you don’t have to do this so...” she smiles weakly, not realizing how much she’s missed having friends. She’d left most of hers back in Nashville and life had gotten in the way of her trying to reach out and connect with them. But Odessa had become a fast friend, unexpectedly so, but she’s more grateful for the other woman’s kinship than she likely realizes. “Oh gosh, I feel like I’m going behind the curtain or something,” Elise laughs now, falling in step with Odessa as they head to her place. 

“Well...I haven’t gone out in like a year so I guess a black dress is as a good staple to start with. I could always run home and grab something...” she offers, not wanting to put her friend out of clothes. Elise is used to Bunny taking any of the few things she likes in her closet and never returning them, but she doesn’t plan on doing the same to Odessa. “I think I have a black dress. Could be in a box,” some of which she still hasn’t unpacked. Between her dad and work, there’s hardly any time. 

[nectarial]

davika hoorne for elle 

[elisexrueng]

kas-morrison​:

“Aw shit, no. Always thought you two seemed the type to do the whole little house on the prairie thing.” Kas forced a tone of disappointment, as if he didn’t already know DJ and Elise were over long ago. She just left, right? Like the younger one. That must suck, if Kas could imagine caring enough about someone and that happening. One thing he could relate to was the loss of a sister, though. That story traveled through Southside for a while and Kas knew better than to mention it now. “You’ll get it.” he then said when she didn’t know who he was, tilting his head slightly. “Go through the alphabet if it helps.” Kas smiled, moving up one seat so they could talk easily. He glanced where she gestured to, nodding in pretend interest before fetching the cash for her drink and passing it to the bartender. “Well, you look good. You were the little uh…” he tried to mime a cello. “Little orchestra geek. It was cute. Still play?”

•

Elise gives an awkward laugh at his words and shrugs. “Uh...I guess everything’s gotta end?” Which sounds more depressing than she intends it to but doesn’t correct herself. She pauses, studying his face briefly in an attempt to recollect his name amidst a slightly imbibed brain. “Mmm...Luke? No uh...Liam? Wait,” Elise brightens because there’s always a thrill in guessing the right answer. “Kyle! Oh. No...Karl?” No, definitely not... “Oh, wait. Kas.” She quirks a brow expectantly, as if waiting for him to confirm or deny. “Kas Montgomery. Or something like that, right?” She doesn’t know why she’s trying to get the answer right but she hears Odessa’s voice in her ear about having a good night and not overthinking things. A friendly guessing game isn’t overthinking, is it? 

Before Elise can pay for her drink, he’s already done so and she shakes her head. “Oh no, that’s okay. I can pay –” but the bartender’s already walking away and Elise is frowning as she brings the small straw to her lips. Taking a sip, she glances at him, a slight flush coloring her cheeks at his compliments. “I’ll get your next drink then.” Because that was the polite thing to do. Though something at the back of her mind tells her he’s not very concerned with manners. Elise pushes the thought away before she can blush even more and shakes her head. “Okay well, geek is a bit harsh. Maybe uh...wanna-be-Mozarts is better?” Her smile falters only fractionally at his question and she waves a hand, taking another long sip of her drink. “uh, not really. It’s kinda just a hobby now.” Because any chances of it being more ended nearly ten years ago. “What about you? How is uh...what do you do?” Maybe she should’ve asked sooner, or maybe this is just what flirting was these days. And flirting is a very loose term for whatever the hell Elise is doing, awkward to the bone and unused to anyone’s overt attention.

[elisexrueng]

bunny-rueng​:

Her sister was right, she could have said hi, but then be the third wheel? No thanks. Bunny was always the first wheel. “Obviously I could’ve but then it would’ve been weird because clearly you didn’t invite me.” she gestured before her arms crossed and she frowned. She could’ve invited Elise but that was beside the point, still she needed to explain before Elise could. “How was I supposed to know you suddenly have fun?” After quick daggers to the other woman needing the sink, Bunny leaned against the wall so Elise could use the other. But she didn’t do anything for her sister, right? “That blond chick who’s like spinning around everywhere.” Bunny jutted out her bottom lip but then composed herself, because being accused of jealousy was the last thing she needed right now. 

•

“Ever thought that maybe I didn’t invite you because you never invite me?” Maybe having had a few drinks (just a few!) made her bolder in her words or maybe she’s just tired of getting some sort of blame. “I didn’t know I needed to announce when I’m going out, Bunny.” And despite thinking of telling Bunny all the stuff she was doing to get ready in the moment, she assumed her sister wouldn’t answer or care or just ridicule for the sake of it. Moving out of the way of the other club patron, Elise sighs, shrugging helplessly. “Odessa? I don’t know why she needs to know who you are? But I can introduce you if you want? She’s just been a good friend is all.” Coaxing Elise out of the protective shell she’s woven around herself in the last year. 

[elisexrueng]

dougie-anderson·:

“Right yeah, you’re not a dumbass. That’s a Dusty thing to do.” he laughs slightly. God, DJ wonders if this is the worst interaction he’s had to date. And it’s not because of Elise, he’s convinced it’s himself. Holding onto resentment but then not actually doing anything with it, trying to force a smile at her when there’s a few choice words rolling around on his tongue. The mention of her father makes him nod, although he’s not sure why Elise can’t wait inside for him… “Right…yeah, I can wait too. I think. I mean, not officially but what’s the point in owning a place if you can’t do what you want?” he laughs, finally lighting the cigarette he’s been holding onto and almost pulled apart from tension. 

“Is it that obvious?” he grins but DJ is the first to know he wasn’t cut out for any of this. He enjoys flipping a few burgers but he always thought that’d be at a drive-thru, not a fucking diner he has to keep ontop of. “I mean…I wanna ask…y’know, it feels weird to not ask.” DJ’s brows furrow, hearing the stagnating words coming from his mouth but not being able to stop it, or hurry them along. Elise’s statement doesn’t do much to ease the pressure either, because it opens up the resentment DJ has carried for years. He laughs, though. Trying to push it away, contain it all again. “I mean, I don’t know what I’m supposed to talk about if I’m honest.” he admits, raking fingers through his messy hair. “Being dumped at an airport isn’t exactly one of those things that makes you wanna be friends with someone.” Shit…harsh? Fuck. “Sorry that er…that came out kinda…intense.”

•

Elise laughs slightly at the mention of his oldest brother. Dusty’s always been a character and she’s glad that despite all odds it seems like both of his brothers are in one piece? “I mean, if you want. It’s okay if you’re busy with,” she gestures broadly, indicating everything. He seems tense but she isn’t exactly relaxing on the beach either, shifting from one foot to the other, feeling like today is colder than April should be. Or maybe it’s just her discomfort with this entire conversation. It’s like she’s exercising a muscle she’s not used in years, joins creaking around it with each slight movement. She watches as he seems to wrestle with himself, eyes bouncing from him to the road and then back when he starts speaking and...well, she hadn’t expected that.  

“Oh.” It’s the only sound she makes at first. Maybe it’s naive of her. It’s not like they were a flash in the pan, right? They’d been together more than three years and he’d seen her through the worst of it only to get a... I don’t think we should be together anymore as he dropped her off to start the next chapter of her life. “No...it’s okay,” she shakes her head. “You’re...I mean...that’s fair.” Oh God, what is she supposed to say now? Elise clears her throat, fiddling with the zipper of her jacket and focused on her faded white shoes against the pavement. “That was really unkind of me.” She looks up at him, trying to stave off the desire to bolt in the opposite direction. “I just thought...” Elise sighs, having wrestled with guilt for years. “I thought you’d be better off...” It sounds empty saying it aloud now, but she’d really thought so at the time. “I didn’t want to hold you back with...you know...all my stuff.” She didn’t want to be a burden in their relationship, grief and pain turning her in on herself. It wouldn’t have been fair to him but she knows she should’ve done it better. Sooner. Elise presses her lips together and lifts her shoulders helplessly.

[tvandfilm]

SHAMELESS ⏤ 1.07, “Frank Gallagher: Loving Husband, Devoted Father”

[bunny-rueng]

@elisexrueng

[bunny-rueng]

@elisexrueng​ at: decades

-

Jealousy came in many different forms and Bunny had no qualms self-identifying with the emotion. However, she wasn’t expecting to ever feel jealous about Elise’s social life. It came from nowhere, some blond woman whisking Elise away and making Bunny wonder two things. 1. Why was this blond woman more fun to hang out with? 2. Why wasn’t she invited? Seeing Elise with her new bestie at the club made Bunny instantly give up all attempt at getting her drinks paid for by the guy she was talking to. She ended up following her sister around for most of the night, from afar obviously. “You know you could have said hi? Like once.” she stated when she saw Elise finally away from the friend. “Like, she knows I’m your sister right?”

[elisexrueng]

Elise is having a good time for once. Convinced by Odessa to go dancing, she finally says yes to something for herself. They’ve spent the night dancing and laughing and drinking and she feels lighter for the first time in a while. She’s inspecting her appearance in a bathroom mirror when her sister’s familiar voice breaks through her bubble of bliss and she finds herself wishing she’d had more to drink (having told Des that she couldn’t go too crazy given work and essentially being responsible for her father). “Well hi to you too, Bunny,” she says with a sigh, looking from the mirror to her sister. “I didn’t even know you were here. Besides, you could’ve said hi too, right? If you’d noticed me already.” But of course it was a double standard when it came to her sister’s own introspection. Elise furrows her brows, moving out of the way of another girl trying to get to the sink. “What are you talking about? Who knows that you’re my sister?”

[kas-morrison]

at: decades @elisexrueng​

-

Decades wasn’t his usual spot, Kas preferred to loiter where he knew best. The Phoenix or Boots mainly, but sometimes he enjoyed a change of scenery. A change of women to pick from. The music was dog shit, in his opinion so he stuck to the bar area. A strange and intense Russian accent passed him quickly, making him turn to look before his eyes settled on the next person over. “No fucking way.” he laughed, giving a soft movement of his hand to get her attention. “DJ’s girl? High school?” Kas’ eyes scanned over her, thoughtful but appreciative all the same. He had to take a long hard think for her name. “Elise, right? Fuck me, who woulda thought.” he commented gently, he was pretty sure he was as much of an asshole back then as he was now but hey, water under the bridge? “Date night?” he asked genuinely, even though it was a load up to his next comment. “Cause there’s no way you’re out here looking like that without someone being all over you.” Him, if he could help it.

[elisexrueng]

Elise is having a half-way decent time with Odessa. Decades isn’t usually her first choice but once she’s had a drink and the music flows over and around her, she finds herself loosening up enough to have a good time. Even a run in with her sister can’t dampen her mood as she swivels on a bar stool, taking a break from the dance floor in exchange for a drink. She’s just ordered another drink (three isn’t too much, right?) when someone speaks to her and Elise glances at the man to her left, smiling politely because she thinks he’s talking to someone else before he waves his hand practically in front of her face. “Oh...uh...not his girl and yes?” she squints, trying to remember his name now that he’s vaguely familiar. “Sorry...I literally can’t remember your name,” she admits, sincerely meaning it too as shifts at the compliment...she thinks it’s a compliment anyway? “And uh, no just here with my friends,” she laughs awkwardly, wondering where Odessa had gotten to as she glances around the club and then back to him. “They’re just, uh, over there.” She waves in an ambiguous direction just as the bartender comes back with her drink.

[elisexrueng]

odessa-kashirsky​:

Odessa followed Elise’s words, nodding with understanding. She couldn’t imagine not being close to a sister, Annika was everything to her and always had been. Sometimes she assumed all sisters were the same, so her heart broke that there were sisters who weren’t. Elise seemed like she wanted a closeness while Bunny had cased herself out of fear. “A note.” Odessa nodded firmly, her accent making her sound far harsher than she intended. “If talking doesn’t get anywhere, slip a note under her door. Tell her everything how you feel, that you miss her. That she doesn’t need to be scared if you do this together.” Odessa shrugged, thinking it seemed like a nice idea. “Maybe put some photographs in the note from when you were children, she might have forgotten what it felt like to be your sister.” she continued but really, she knew nothing could force things either. “Decades is good, it has a floor of all music.” Odessa chuckled. “When are you free? I’ll take the night off work and we can dance so we forget.”

•

Elise smiles sadly at the idea of a note. “Maybe. I’ll think about it.” She might consider it if she didn’t think that Bunny would tear it up. Maybe she’s being too harsh on her sister but she feels like she’s extended the olive branch multiple times only to have it thrown back in her face, or snapped in two. Sighing, she nudges Odessa’s shoulder with her own. “You’re a good friend, Des. Really. Thank you.” Since coming home, Elise has felt like an island, with only her dad for company and work to keep her busy. She hadn’t known what to expect when she moved back but the loneliness was worse than she’d anticipated. So she’s especially grateful for the other woman’s presence, becoming fast friends without expecting to over the past year. “Decades is perfect but is it okay for you to take off so last minute?” 

[elisexrueng]

dougie-anderson​:

“Hey, it’s a free country. Can wait where you want.” DJ laughs, instantly hearing how stupid his words are as he tries to hold his smile so he doesn’t cringe right in her view. “I mean like, it’s not a weird place to wait, obviously. You could wait inside though?” he points with his thumb at the diner, now wondering if it’s weird that he’s thinking about her comfort. She might be meeting someone who’s never met her before, idiot. “Or like…don’t have to.” Shut the fuck up. DJ is still idly twirling the cigarette he was ready to take from the pack, laughing slightly about New Years Eve and his less than desirable injuries he sustained from Noah’s gorilla sized fists. “Yeah, I guess the dumb asshole doesn’t know how to make it count.” It was meant to sound like a confident comment but DJ instantly thinks he sounds like Danny, except DJ has enough self awareness to know there’s nothing remotely attractive about fighting. “I mean obviously it hurt like a bitch, I’m not…trying to…” he sighs, finally taking the cigarette and putting it to his mouth to light. He needed to just stop running into her, that was the easiest way to prevent this. “Oh? Me? Yeah, I’m…good, I think. Just the usual, you know? Think I need more sleep. I don’t think it’s weird to ask, unless you don’t want me to ask it back?”

•

Elise shrugs slightly, giving a polite laugh at the joke. “Well yeah but I guess you don’t want to wait in, like, the middle of the road. I just meant there are better places to wait...” Why was she still talking about this? It’s like getting stuck on a road that doesn’t have any off ramps for miles. “Oh I would I just want to – uh...my dad. He’s gonna meet me.” And she wants to make sure he’s okay, constant worry over his health plaguing her. The other day he seemed tired going up the few steps to their small home but she doesn’t say this and instead gestures at DJ. “I’m sure he’d like to say hi...if you have a second. No worries though. I’m sure this is like the only five minutes you take,” she half jokes, knowing how he’s prone to get consumed by work. Possibly overwhelmed. He looks it but she doesn’t feel at liberty to say as much. Brows furrow at his comment and she nods. 

“His loss, your gain I guess...” Elise ventures with a slight smile, raising her brows. “The usual being oh shit I own a diner?” It’s an attempt to interject some levity into their conversation, maybe alleviate the awkwardness that seems to plague them at every turn. She thinks it works until he ostensibly returns her question and she falters slightly. “Oh no. I mean...I don’t mind if you do but you also don’t have to. Like to be polite or whatever.” Elise grimaces slightly before letting out a puff of air, shoulders slumping a bit as she glances from her shoes to him.  “This,” them “is awkward, right?” Might as well call a spade a spade. Though she’s not sure if calling it out makes it worse. Too late now. 

[tvandfilm]

FLEABAG (2016 - 2019) Season 1 | Episode 4

[elisexrueng]

@bunny-rueng

[davikahoorne]

[mammamias]

“I’ll have it. You have to give it to me. It’s gotta go somewhere.”

Fleabag | 2.04

[elisexrueng]

@odessa-kashirsky

[elisexrueng]

odessa-kashirsky​:

She nodded with a sympathetic smile, only able to imagine what it must feel like for Elise. She supposed she was feeling as if the weight was there for only herself to carry, but even then she was able to sympathize with her sister. “True, I don’t know what can make somebody show they care if they’re scared.” Odessa thought out loud, sipping her coffee again. “I like to think everybody…” she waved her free hand as she considered the word. “Realizes things before it’s too late. Sometimes a wake up call won’t work because she will think you’re…nagging.” The English language was annoying sometimes, with loads of different words for the same thing. “Maybe if you say you have to stay somewhere for a few days, she has to do it alone and will see how much she’s missed and not helped with? It might change.” she shrugged before she laughed slightly. “We don’t have to go out, but sometimes loud music and a busy place feels good to get lost in. But we can stay at my place, have wine and food and fun. I think you’d feel refreshed after, I have a big tub too. I can get cucumber for our eyes.” she chuckled.

•

“It’s just...” Elise sighs, raking a hand through dark tresses. It would be easier if she could just communicate with Bunny in a way she understood. But it seems that no matter what she does, the wall her sister has put up is entirely impenetrable. “It’s hard, Des...that’s all. It’s just hard.” She leans forward, running a hand over her face and shakes her head. “I don’t want her to fail either. That’s the other thing. I’d show her everything but if I tell her anything she thinks I’m condescending. Or trying to boss her around. It’s like talking to a wall,” Elise laughs bitterly. “Eden was always better at this. Mediating. Solving conflict.” Their older sister knew how to bridge the gaps between them and bring them closer. Elise and Bunny used to be thick as thieves once upon a time and she has no doubt it’s because Eden and their dad refused to let things like petty fights get in the way of their closeness as a family. Blinking, she nods. “Honestly both sound good. Maybe let’s go out. I miss loud music.” She’d let all social priorities slip when she’d moved back to Lockwood, solely focused on their dad and her work, hardly leaving time for anything else. 

[davikahoorne]

♡ davika hoorne

[dougie-anderson]

closed starter, little goat diner with @elisexrueng​

It doesn’t matter if the world seems to be getting crazier around him, DJ still shows his face at every single shift even if now he’s more prone to careless mistakes from his tiredness. His mind is occupied by several things, the most obvious being the way his two brothers have spiraled at the exact same time and he knows the reason why. He wishes he had the luxury of being able to shut out problems and pretend they didn’t exist. The most he can do is scurry out of the kitchen and go for a smoke for a few minutes, which he does so at any chance he can grab. He rounds the corner near the diner quickly, not looking at his own path as he’s grabbing the packet of smokes and of course he wanders straight into somebody else. Why wouldn’t he? “Ah, fuck. My bad, not even looking where I was going like an asshole.” he says, reaching an arm out to steady the other person…Elise. Why wouldn’t it be? “Jeez, I guess I got you back for ruining my white shirt.” he laughed, awkwardly removing his arm and then having no idea what to do with it as it hovers in the air slightly. “Er..kidding by the way. I got like a million of ‘em.”

[elisexrueng]

Elise had been watching the parking lot for her dad’s car to pull in. Sunan insisted on going to his appointment by himself so she wouldn’t reschedule a work call. She’d offered to pick him up but he just told her to meet him at Little Goat as usual. She tells herself he’ll be fine but she can’t help but worry her lower lip as eyes scan each Toyota Camry that drives by. When someone suddenly knocks into her, Elise yelps, grabbing the individual’s arm for support before realizing it’s DJ (of course) and shaking her head. “Oh, no...you’re good. This is probably a bad place to wait.” She gives a haphazard laugh, slight grimace crossing her lips at the recollection of their New Year’s Eve run-in. “Still so sorry about that...” God. Why does talking to DJ always feel like she’s tongue tied? Like there’s no right thing to say when, before, she’d always known just what to say and when. “But uh...hey, your,” she gestures at his face, “looks a lot better.” Considering the last time they’d run into each other he’d been bruised and bleeding a bit, he looks leaps and bounds better...though something in his demeanor seems off to her still. Like he’s not quite himself. “Are you okay?” The question is let loose before she even realizes she’s asking it, an impulse to find out what’s the matter. “Shoot. Sorry, that was nosey. You don’t have to answer that.” He jus seems somewhere else entirely and Elise knows what that’s like.