Volker Van Hasselt ~ Initiate

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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Table of Contents:

• Basic Information
• Appearance
• Current Abilities and Weaknesses
• Future Developement
• Skills
• Personality
• Familial Relations
• Basic History
• Expanded History
• On Site Relations
• Current History

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The Basics

Name: Volker Van Hasselt

Age: 35 ( Born August 17, 1977)

Race: Vampire- Pure (Born)

Class: Initiate.

Rank: Follower

Clan: Akhkharu Matum 

Occupation:Personal Assistant to Klaus Brauer

Languages: English, German

Other potentially relevant facts:

Almost always wears a body harness under his clothing, therefore almost always sports loose fitting shirts, and depending on the model long sleeves and occasionally fingerless gloves.

[Volker Van Hasselt]

Appearance:

Height: 6'

Weight:[/u] 159 lbs

Eye color: Blue

Hair color: Mid-Brown

Build:medium - large frame, lean (proportionaly)

Scars: None

Tattoos: None

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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Current Abilities:

• Standard vampiric abilities (reduced rate see weakness)
• ***Currently demonstrates no additional abilities*** future development outlined below (after standard profile info)

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Weaknesses:

• Standard Vampire Weakness
• Arrested Development:
  
  Volker has always developed at a slower rate then other vampires. During his physical childhood his standard abilities progressed at roughly 1/2 the rate of other vampiric children, and continues to improve at only 3/4 of the rate other vampires his age do. His special abilities, both suffer from a delay in appearing, and a slower rate of improvement as well.
  
  *note, while the developement of a certain ability will one day negate the effects on his standard abilities, the effect on his special abilities will remain permanent.
• Short Temper
  
  He is easily frustrated and angered by others. This tends to override his higher thinking and results in either alienating those he might wish to become close to, hurting those he is close to, and sometimes provoking vampires he really shouldn't provoke
• Need for order:
  
  If he can't find his things he becomes easily upset, almost to the point of severe anxiety. Therefore, things not being in their precise place, and that place being established in a way that makes sense to him becomes distressful proportionately to the relevance of the things/area in question. He also tends to struggle if there is not someone to keep him to a strict set of standards and an established schedule.
• "Security Blanket"
  
  There are times when he cannot wear one of his body harnesses, usually in instances where he anticipates having to remove his shirt, or having to be in close contact with another (as he currently keeps this matter secret and is nervous about it becoming widely known that he wears them regularly ). At such times he tends to feel uneasy in himself, and often becomes more hostile and snappish or nervous around others, especially those he is not close too.
  

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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Future ability outline

(assuming no relevant life event to alter this path, abilities not currently in order of which they would be received):

• Elevated Standard Ability Developement: -life circumstance
  
  From the point this ability is activated, Volker will begin to improve his standard vampiric abilities at doubled the rate of 'normal' vampires. One could speculate that this development began to compensate for the slower and delayed manner in which his special abilities developed, and up till this point the development of his standard abilities at only 3/4 of the rate of 'normal' vampires (1/2 during physical childhood).
• Instigator of Discord (individual)
  
  Perhaps foreshadowed by his tenancy to cause strain in his own interpersonal relationships, Volker can manipulate the feelings and significance of legitimate thoughts in others, as they pertain to relating to others. Specifically, he can cause an individual to feel anger, fear, resentment or suspicion to spike in someone, but it has to be in regards to a person or group. (So, he can't just make someone feel anger in general, he has to have an individual or group that the person is currently or often deals with to make the person feel anger towards)
  
  *The dynamic/power of this ability changes either with age, or a combination of rank and age (if he goes up in rank, it will take less time for the ability to develop).
  
  • Initially: effect on an individual, imparted through eye contact (may be brief), remains in effect so long as he is within the distance of a average sized room and 45 minutes after departing company.
  • 10 years less 1 year per class change: effect on an individual, imparted through eye contact (may be brief), remains in effect so long as he is within the distance of a large room and 1 hour after departing company.
  • 100 years less 20 years per class change: effect on an individual, area effect (no eye contact required) up to the distance of a large room, remains in effect so long as he is within the distance of a average large room and 2 hours after departing company.
  • 500 years less 25 years per class rank change: effect on multiple individuals, area effect (no eye contact required) up to the distance of a large room, remains in effect so long as he is within the distance of a average large room and 5 hours after departing company.
• Strength of Will (individual)
  
  It's no secret that Volker has always been a particularly stubborn and willful individual, often making a point to fearlessly stand his ground (or draw a line in the sand), with seemingly no regard for his safety in doing so. His Strength of Will ability negates the negative effects of influencing powers of other vampires, such as behavior, thought, or emotional manipulation. The effectiveness of this power is dependent on his level of ability (rank and time based), and the power of the ability used against him.
• Unified stance - inherrited
  
  The ties of familial bonds are strong. When in the presence of born kin of any degree, turned kin of the immediate family or with whom there has been prolonged contact with and/or particularly close lovers or mates , the weaknesses related to physical needs and limits are lessened. This does not mean the vampire's weaknesses are lessened, but rather things like fatigue from activity, pain from injury, muddling of the mind and body do to hunger are undone proportionally to the number of applicable individual present, and the strength of the bonds among them.
• Segen der Mondgöttin (phase cycle based) -mix continent of origin and religious affiliation
  
  Volker experiences an elevation to his standard and special abilities based on the cycle of the moon. As the moon begins to wane untill the end of the New Moon phase, he experiences an increasing elevation in his standard vampiric abilities (while the effects of the opposite half of the cycle decrease proportionally). Conversely, as the moon begins to wax until the end of the Full Moon phase the increasing elevation shifts into his special abilities (while similarly the elevation in his standard ability drops proportionally)
  
  **Note: This power does not effect - Elevated Standard Ability Developement nor does it compound on itself ***

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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Skills:

• Animal empath:
  
  Not an existential power, more so an ability to relate to and understand the behavior and motivation of animals. All the patience and thought he usually does not exhibit with people and in his interpersonal relationships seem to have redirected itself here.
  
• Horsemanship:
  
  Given his fondness and understanding of animals, it is only natural that he developed such skills, especially as his father was eager to encourage this interest in at least one of his offspring. 
  
• Organization:
  
  Even though it has a definite downside in his case, Volker is a master at organizing things in accordance to functionality, frequency of use, and establishing ease of access when beneficial.
  

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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Personality:

Agressive, Standoffish, Unkind, Highly reactive, hyper critical of self, stubborn, willful, loyal, obedient (in regards to select people)



Volker, often comes across as someone who doesn't really care about the feelings of others. In some cases there is a margin of truth in that. Ever since he was young he has demonstrated a proclivity for being unkind, and even emotionally abusive towards some of his siblings. Stemming mostly from his feelings of inadequacy and inferiority, especially when compared to his family members, it took a great deal of time for Volker to actually demonstrate his care and concern over their opinions and their own states of well being (with the exception of his father whom he has always demonstrated a fondness for. Fortunately this matter has improved significantly, but he still tends to provoke others and is quick to say hurtful (and sometimes deeply regretted ) things in anger.



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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Familial Relations

• Vesperes Van Hasselt: Father
  
  Volker admires his father, and wants very much to earn his approval, and to not disappoint. He was the one family member that he has never been in the habit of being unkind too. Though the older Prussian has only ever been supportive of him, and shown confidence in his development, despite his difficulty; Volker still feels that he has let his father, and distinguished ancestors down in some way but not being as skilled as he should be.
• Unnamed: Mother(s)
  
  His birth mother, unlike the majority of women who have bore Vesperes children, did not accept his invitation to remain with him. In point of fact, from the rather rude insistence of her clan master, it was specified that once her child (if born) no longer benefited from feeding from her, that she be returned to him at once. As such, Volker doesn't really remember her, but , as is typical for the women who remain as mothers to Vesperes' children, he was often cared for by the mothers of his siblings as if he was one of their own... or all of their own. He was always a bit of a handful for the women, and while he was fond of them in a way; he showed an obvious preference for Vesperes over them.
• Renate Van Hasselt: Eldest Sister
  
  His fathers first born, and fist daughter is a family member he has experienced a great deal of conflict with. In his earlier years he was exceptionally jealous of his sister, who was not only a particularly gifted vampire in general, but had a particular knack for military strategy and tactics, a subject their father is especially fond of, and one that Volker simply doesn't get the way a true military leader would. She is the child that is most like Vesperes' more disciplined side, and likely is a good measure of how Vesperes would have been if he had not been born on a Black Moon (discounting some effects the aftermath of WWII had on him ). Perhaps if she had been a bit more feminine he would not have had quite as much difficulty with his sense of displacement in regards to her; but somehow to a young boy it was especially troublesome to find a -sister- as the main competition to the typically father/son relationship. Currently they get along much better; he no longer goads her to the point of needing to put him in his place, and for the most part they avoid bothering each other, typically enjoying a companionable but not exactly warm and fuzzy silence, but seeing as neither of them are really into the warm and fuzzies, it works out just fine.
• Kristian Van Hasselt: Eldest Brother
  
  He is often ashamed to admit, Kristian had enjoyed being his favorite 'victim' in his early years. The very sweet, effeminate sibling, though older than him, was easy to upset and cause to cry. Furthermore Kristian was too gentle natured to even think of physically harming his little brother (even when most would say he had it coming). After the effects of two instances, one in which he came to his older brother's defense when being bullied by another young vampire, and an time when he was almost pointedly trying to make Kristian angry with him (rather than upset), and his brother gave his typical well wishing smile, and more or less told him 'no matter how hard you try Volker, I am not going to hate you', his disposition towards this sibling did a complete 180. He has fallen into the habit of wanting to protect Kristian, who though stronger than him, doesn't have what it takes to fight for himself. There are times when he confides in his brother, though most wouldn't think he was sharing anything, with his vague, often single word utterances, usually about some stupid thing or another that he has done. He does feel a bit guilty that there are many times this has lead to Kristian going out of his way to try to repair some of the emotional damage Volker has dished out onto others; but, seeing as he can't seem to confront others in the name of apologies, he can't bare to ask him not too either.
• Gisela Van Hasselt: Older Sister
  
  Another family member he tended to cause a lot of trouble for, Gisela to this day remains an easy target for getting under his skin. His somewhat prim, very 'ladylike' sister to into the idea that a 'lady' doesn't stoop to insults, or fighting, or any of that uncivilized behavior. He still really enjoys irritating her, usually by doing things like using the elegant flatware in a less than elegant fashion, or getting something of her's or her dirty by smudging some matter on it. She in turn often calls him a brute and uncivilized, but he doesn't take that too personally; she chides Renate and Tanja for not being more ladylike, and often tries to get Tobias to be more gentlemanly. So really, it's just sort of her thing.
• The twins- Tobias and Tanja:- elder siblings
  
  The twins were actually the ones that weren't often subjected to his extreme bouts of anger and aggression. Their cool demeanor and tenancy to reveal very little of their inner thoughts (until they knew there was nothing you could do about it), typically robbed him of what hollow satisfaction or comfort he might take in his acting out. Then there was the matter of their strategical and analytical prowess, not to mention a certain knack for weaving elaborately planned revenge on the occasions they decided it was due. If Renate was the firy but disciplined warlord that fought along side her trouble, these two would be more like, the detached king who expertly and ordered his troops into battle from afar, more concerned with numbers than the individual he sent into battle (obviously not a Prussian/German King, or so Vesperes would insist). Currently he doesn't interact with them much, but that suits the twins fine. Their preference is usually to simply be around family and tend to their own person, usually quiet, matters. He knows that they have said about him that 'he has calmed down considerably since childhood... but if he ever forgets we are ready to resume his training'
• Antilles (Van Hasselt): Younger Brother
  
  Is currently unknown to exist.
• Klaus Brauer: "Uncle" (technically 3rd Cousin)
  
  Klaus is a vampire he has come to respect, and has an easier time obeying than most. Though the older German does not hesitate to call him to task when it's needed; he is always fair about matters, and is someone who's opinion he has come to value as deeply as his fathers. A part of him admires Klaus in some way, not only for his ability (Klaus is, after all, a very powerful vampires) but also for the many ways he has helped him throughout his life, since he was sent to Germany to live with him for a time.
• Gunnar Helgison: "Uncle"
  (technically 4th cousin - 1st generation Turned)
  
  Gunnar is a family member he is greatly conflicted about to this day. The pair of them both tend to have short fuses, and are often quick to say things they shouldn't and to take offense at things where offense is not meant. He cares and he is sure even loves the older vampire in some way (though he has never been one to demonstrate love all that well). Some part of him also finds that he is somewhat interested in gaining the other's favor. At same time, Gunnar was often a source of anxiety and resentment for him in his past. While he didn't think any less of the older vampire for being Turned into the family rather than born nor would he say the other had to be less than him as a Turned vampire (age respectively of course), a part of him was gravely distressed by the fact that he could not measure up to even this family member's prowess at corresponding stages of development. Unlike with his siblings, this fact has become more apparent as he has gotten older in a not so gradual way. The discontinuity in how turned and born vampire progress suddenly no longer a factor in the acceptable portion of comparable 'lives' where Gunnar would obviously be more powerful and develop more quickly. He has no idea what Gunnar might actually think about him, but he doubts it is anything good. Since hitting physical maturity, his snappish, constantly irritated demeanor has gotten worse around the older vampire, rather than better, and while, on an occassion he may have cruelly brought up a notion that Gunnar was not as proper of a family member as the rest of them, in truth, he feels the other to be a far more proper son to Klaus, than he himself is to Vesperes.
• Ayberk Burakgazi: Grandfather (honorary)
  
  He isn't sure why, but he is vastly uncomfortable around Ayberk. Volker can't rightly recall when he started feeling this way, but he can't seem to overcome it either. As a child, he tended to hang back and allow his siblings to occupy the older vampires time so he would not be noticed. Later on in life he began avoiding the other's presence all together. He hasn't seem 'Grandfather' since going to Germany to live with Klaus... but something tells him his newer habit of wearing a body harness under his clothes will make him even more uncomfortable around the other, rather than soothing him as it usually does. His uneasiness seems to only be him however, as each of his siblings appears to have bonded with the ancient Turk in one way or another specific to them.

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[Volker Van Hasselt]

Basic History:

Second youngest son of Vesperes Van Hasselt (though is thought to be the youngest currently by most), he was actually conceived not long after Antilles had been, his mother being the vampire that had been escorted by the other's mother to honor a contract with the Prussian prince. An mild accident that befell said mother (mild for vampires anyway) resulted in his being born a bit early.

Whether this incident had any real effect on him or not, Volker has come to his own conclusion that it must have, it would explain why there is something wrong with him. He knew he was not as strong or as fast or as anything as his older siblings (technically half siblings) had been, or that other vampiric children his age were. He was different, defective. Vesperes certainly didn't feel that way, always assuring him that he was merely 'bidding his time' that he would grow in his own time, but that didn't stop Volker from feeling that he was not right, the son of a long line of royal blood, and he couldn't compete with even the most common vampiric child. It was likely for this reason that he quickly developed a habit of bullying the gentler of his siblings, and provoking his more assertive ones. Sometimes he got away with it, other times not so much, but he didn't really feel any anger towards his father for what punishments had to come of it. That Vesperes really didn't understand everything was irrelevant; he wanted, at least to be obedient and respectful, not wanting his father to lose the faith in him, he himself did not possess.

Growing older, at least put some things in perspective for him. By puberty he had started to let up on his siblings, and they also had developed a thicker skin, or in the case of his eldest sister Renate, a more efficient set of knuckles. That wasn't really to say that he felt any better about himself. He still grew frustrated and angry at nearly anything, and sometimes for reasons he couldn't figure out. It was fortunate that his father had the habit of sending his children to spend time in their ancestral lands (or as close as they could get). When he was old enough to be sent to his Uncle Klaus Brauer in Germany (technically third cousin ), he hadn't much thought one way or another. He missed his father before he'd even left, and he did have likely being able to get away with things unchecked to look forward to, but he hadn't much thought in putting faith in this High Councilman of Germany. After all, he was there to learn something about their heritage, not really much chance of self improvement there.

Klaus, however proved to be an odd situation. Unlike with Vesperes, Volker felt not immediate desire to behave perfectly for this man, Klaus, therefore got a better measure of his behaviors and attitude then his father could. Vesperes could only suspect, and look for signs that he could assist with; Klaus
was exposed to the real depth of his difficulties. But there had been those who saw him at his worse before, what was unique in this situation was, Klaus was his superior, was confident in that status, and did not hesitate to educate his young 'Nephew'. The German took no nonsense, and yet proved to be understanding and concerned with his motives and not the rough exterior he presented. Even if the other didn't full get him, he was able to help him learn some control, real control, not just ' I don't want to disappoint Vati and he's present' sort of control. Klaus also recognized things he hadn't even realized were a problem for him, his nearly obsessive need for order, and the fact that while he could organize effectively, he could become overwhelmed when he had far more things to keep track of then he actually needed.

A visit to France also proved enlightening, both to himself, and perhaps to his siblings as well. Not that his way of becoming a bit more enlightened was really a typically approved method. When some ignorant bottom feeding French guy decided to insult his brother. He didn't know French, but he understood enough to know what the other said was unacceptable, cruel things that made his much more gentle hearted eldest brother cry, really cry. He didn't hesitate and proceeded to try to beat the other boy senseless. He hadn't, until that moment, really understood how much the rest of his family really meant to him, and though Klaus did stop him from taking matters into his own hands, his interest in what caused him to lash out, and his willingness to respond accordingly real drove home the fact that his family, his whole family could value him despite his various short comings.

Klaus also, quite inadvertently, contributed to another factor that helped Volker find himself a bit more manageable. He wasn't in the habit of looking through his Onkel's things. In fact, it was probably one of the last offenses he would have offered. However, he inadvertently came across something that caught his curiosity. Now, even though Vesperes had been careful never to expose his children to the results of his sexual urges, not even willing to let them see those he entertained regularly congregate, they were still vampires. Volker wasn't embarrassed by coming across a body harness that was clearly meant for a human-esk form, and he wasn't ignorant as to what it was typically used for. Still, he found it fascinated him in some way he didn't understand. How could he be so fascinated about something he had never really seen before, or even paid any mind too. The impulse to put it on surprised him, and he might have given in to it, except it belonged to Klaus. Even aside from the moral implications of using something like this without the owner's permission (and he sure as hell was not going to ask his Onkel for permission), whoever had worn it last most likely would have different dimensions than he would; if he adjusted things, Klaus might notice, and worse, having never put one on before, it was especially likely he would take a long time and therefore more likely to get caught. So he left it be, determined that this should be the end of his curiosities.

His mind, however had other plans. His thought returning to the intriguing thing, not obsessively, but certainly often enough to be irritating. Alright clearly he just had to find a way to put one on, then his curiosity should be satisfied and he could move on with his life. Sneaking off while his family was otherwise occupied gave him the opportunity he needed to get a hold of one. Though, he likely looked suspicious as hell, nervously buying something that most Germans clearly had no difficulty treating in the same manner as going to buy clothes. Clothes, that actually was a good idea. Quick to make off with his purchase, he quickly went about ducking into a store to buy himself a new jacket, actually he really did like it, so he wouldn't be lying on that score. Then proceeded to deal with the matter of hiding his 'other' purchase, removing the harness from it's box to shove it into one large, emptied pocket. The other pocket, he left the crumpled paper in, there it would simply appear he had not thought to empty the paper out of the pockets in the store. Obviously, being Germans he couldn't just toss the paper anywhere, so logically he would see to it when he got home. Perfectly normal, no reason for Klaus to suspect a thing, and Volker had always had a fondness for Jackets, probably something to do with where District 1 was located. Ah, but even the best laid plans could not compete with Klaus Brauer's sense of someone trying to pull one over on him.

Thankfully, Klaus didn't make a big deal about it. That didn't make it any easier though. So he couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't feeling less anxious. Klaus was aware of his purchase, but hadn't reacted in a bad way. Shaking it off, it took him a good amount of time to work up the nerve to try the thing on. Then it took a good amount of time to figure out how precisely to get the thing on, and what to tighten. It was a complex matter the first time, but he did do it eventually. Since no one would bother him in his room, he took the time to run fingers over the straps and along one of the metal rings that connected them. It was only going to be one right? So, he moved to a full length mirror to take in the sight of himself. Well he did look good in it, that he could admit to himself, but as his fingers took to slipping along one of the straps he was surprised by how wearing it made him feel. Somehow he felt calmer, at peace, and like he was somehow more aware of himself and yes safer, absurd though that was, it was a harness after all, not a coat of armor. Needless to say, it would not remain a one time thing. Gradually he grew to wearing it more often and for longer periods, until eventually he simply decided it was best to wear one as close to all the time as he could manage.

Living in Europe was certainly an experience, but truthfully, he knew he wasn't alone in the fact that Vati was missed. Still, with Klaus around it wasn't so bad. So, no surprise that he was not amused in the slightest when his Onkel headed out of the country. No, not in the slightest. So, he decided to head back to the State, it's where both Vati and Onkel were after all.

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