Hands off the Merchandise Pal (Open)

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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  It took everything in him not to glare menacingly, as Volker was very unhappy with the current situation. This place was a bit too wild for his liking, given that he sure as hell hadn't dressed in a way to be prepared for others touching him, not today. All he needed was for some overly sexed, mouth breathing freak to cop a feel and discover his 'security blanket'.  Yes, even in a place like this, he was very self conscious about his harnesses, for him they weren't sexual, it was something far more personal. 

    What really made the situation distasteful though, was that he wasn't alone.  His hand gently but firmly gripping his older brother's arms, while steering the other away from the majority of the crowd, and the most eager looking of the servers.  Why, one might wonder, had this clearly unsettled 'youth' come into a place like Carnivale if he didn't want to enjoy all that it had to offer?  Well quite simply, the pair of them were still very new to the area, and they were, momentarily, unsure of where they were.  As it was, the need to feed was starting to make itself firmly known, and in this country it was best to be cautious about where a vampire ended up when a serious need arose. 

    So, it was a simple matter. All they had to do was try to get in, avoid the mass of people.  Then of course, find and pay for at least enough to stave off hunger, and then go back to finding their way 'home'.  It was still early in the night, so no reason to call for help, or to get worried, and he wanted Kristian out of this place as soon as he could manage it. Of course, he knew better than anyone that his brother wasn't virginal by any means, but he was still innocent in some ways, and this place was too rough and vulgar for his older brother.  At least, that was what Volker had to say on the matter. 

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Word Count: 352
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[Kristian Van Hasselt]

  He wasn't nearly as concerned as his younger, but larger brother.  Indeed, as Volker steered him through the club, in a direction that seemed to present the least amount of trouble for them, he wasn't bothered by the blatantly sexual behaviors of those around them.  Indeed, he wasn't particularly shy about such things, nor was he one to judge or concern himself with thinking unkindly about others for any reason. Still, he couldn't quite help but wear his typical, warm, and perhaps naive looking smile. 

   Poor Volker, he did wish it hadn't come to this for his sake.  He could feel the tension in his sibling as he worked to ensure he was protected, and no doubt, due in part to the younger Van Hasselt's difficulty in social situations.  Still, there was no helping it.  He had to insist that they feed, as he knew well enough that if he was hungry, Volker was no doubt equally suffering. A hunger Volker trying to figure out where he was in this country was not a good idea. Besides, neither one of them would care to get light headed and start to feel the distinct and demanding urge to go looking for a way to slake their thirst.  So, the first place they stumbled on, where they knew it was safe to acquire blood without risk of prosecution had to be the one they went to. 

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Word Count: 242
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[Jean-Renée Saulnier]

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It was a night to be distracted...and when one wanted such a thing he had been assured that this was just the place for it. It turned out that his 'source' had been accurate too, not that Jean-Renée expected anything less from the man that owned the club. He smiled, the expression kept pretty much to himself even as he enjoyed the music and the brush of skin against his own while he maneuvered through the crowd on the dance floor to find a seat. 


Simonne had telephoned, and though the conversation had been brief it had still been somewhat distressing, and yet not for the reasons that one would think. She was to be bonded...trully and deeply bonded, not merely contracted, to the pompous Austrian she'd freed herself of him for, and it had surprised him how deeply it had not hurt him to hear such a thing. In fact, it had only served to irritate him that she'd called at all as it had seemed there was no point or purpose to it other than to try to remind him of what he'd 'lost'. She'd sounded a bit disappointed when he'd politely wished her well but declined her invitation to join her for the festivities...and had even attempted to goad him into arguing with her to try and get him to admit to the fact that he might still love her. And that was what had made the conversation so distressing as even now...now that he realized he was actually free of her emotional strings...that she could see to being so nasty to him. To remind him of things that really weren't altogether kind. 


He caught himself frowning back down at his phone, paused in the middle of a sea of grinding, heaving half-naked bodies to do so, and eyeing that last text with a sensation of somewhat sad resignation running through him. She would never change, and he could not now ever understnad what had made him love her or be so willing to allow her to be this way to him when he'd never been anything good to her. The last text she'd sent was pointed and callous, a cold reminder of what he was in comparison to the greatness of being 'Born'. "I'm just so relieved that he actually suits me. It's just ever so nice to be with someone who understands what it means to be a /real/ vampire. To be a /real/ man." A thumb hastily swept over his phone, deleting that text and then pointedly turning the thing off. There would be no more irritating reminders tonight. No, tonight was for fun...and well, here at Carnivale - if one couldn't have fun there was certainly something wrong with you. 

His body fell back into motion, the lean Frenchman catching eyes as he continued on through the crowd - as well he should. Jean-Renée had almost as much skin on display as the staff after all...though even his garb was modest in comparison. Tight black leather pants rested low at his hips and flowed seamlessly into thigh-high black leather boots - boots that laced in such a way as to allow for enough freedom of movement that he could still bend his knees and still cling to his slim legs. The rest...well, the rest was /almost/ covered. Straps of leather buckled in silver slanted down across half of his chest and down one arm to the wrist, and connected to that cincher while also still connecting to the thick band of leather buckled around his neck. The collar set off the outfit nicely, and really went quite well with the equally thick band of leather at the wrist of the arm left exposed - and it was obvious that from the rings placed on the things that they were both able to be used as restraints.

The only interruption to his display was really the long braid of blond hair that insisted on slithering over his shoulder to hang rope-like almost to his waist...but that hardly mattered. He was used to it...and it made it that much more handy to be able to reach up and give it's end a tug when he felt even momentarily agitated. His outfit matched the mood of the club, and though he didn't often choose this method of fashionable expression...clearly Jean-Renée was comfortable in it and because of that, he hardly minded any who might stop to stare a little - and there were certainly those who did. 


Besides a few smiles here and there, though, Jean-Renée didn't show too many signs of genuine flirtation. Perhaps it was because of Simonne, or perhaps it was because a certain Prussian had crept into his mind and made it difficult to actually be interested in anyone else - but who could really say? Again he frowned, though this one was more one of concentration as he finally found himself free enough of the masses to be able to actually take a real look around and see if there was someone that might at least keep him company for the next little bit. Interested romantically or not, he was a social creature after all, and he had come here to socialize as well as enjoy a bit of the fetish scene. 


When his eyes found a scowling Volker and a serenely smiling Kristian, though, Jean-Renée brightened considerably and without thought headed directly for them. "Bonsoir mon ami!", he said in cheery tones, greeting Kristian in the French fashion - with hands on the slightly taller boy's shoulders and a kiss to each cheek. Volker though...Volker was a different story altogether. He wouldn't be comfortable with such a greeting, that much the Frenchman had discerned, so instead of offering that, he merely lowered his lashes coyly and lightly placed a hand against the other's shoulder..."Mon ange..." he chuckled, finding the little nickname amusing and yet oddly fitting as - despite Volker's persnickety nature - he did rather resemble an angel with his fair hair and eyes.

"I did not think this sort of thing would be something you'd enjoy!" And with that a hint of a grin curved his lips, his gaze sliding back to Kristian. "Otherwise I would have the driver bring you with me. Come, we sit, oui? Sit and perhaps have a taste of what such a place has to offer?" A brow quirked in waiting, the diminutive man clearly not about to remove himself from their sides for an instant - even though it might have been rude of him to so impose. Still, he looked at them in a friendly fashion - and at least one of them in a manner that was considerably more - so it was only right, in his mind, that he should find their company to be desirable. He just hoped they would be agreeable. 

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Word Count: 1152 - and I hope it's not that many words of rambling nonsense. Now I sleep. 

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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     As if things weren't tense enough for him, there was a familiar person making his way towards them. The Frenchman, he wasn't exactly the person Volker would want to see at a time like this.  His gaze, however, took the opportunity to draw his attention away from the situation to what the other was wearing. He couldn't quite help the brief moment in which he studied the unique wears of the other male, before he realized what he was looking at, and got a bit uneasy. He really shouldn't be studying the other like that, and besides, he was only made that much more aware of one of the reasons he didn't want to be here, at least not now. 

     Jean-Renée's greeting wasn't one he was about to object to, as it was directed at his brother, and was harmless enough.  However, as the Frenchman directed his attention towards him, and called him by that damn pet name, Volker's gaze slipped away, and he squirmed some. His face remained stern, as that was the best way to keep other things from showing, such as the odd way being referred to in such a way mad him feel. He had that much better of a way to retreat, as he could aim suspicious eyes around the room at large. 

    "We didn't mean to end up here", he offers a bit gruffly.  At the very least, the Frenchman being present did help distance his brother from the rest of the people, at least from one angle. Now, if he could just keep from looking over the other's wears he might be able to get through this. The last thing he needed was that other thinking that he was admiring his body, no he didn't want to encourage the other male. 

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Word Count: 307
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[Kristian Van Hasselt]

  While Jean-Renée may have received a somewhat chilled response from the younger Van Hasselt, Kristian's typical smile widened a bit. He certainly was pleased to see the familiar face, even if he knew this would put Volker in an even more awkward position than he had been before.  Oh well, his brother needed to get used to this man; hopefully, it happened before he managed to scare the other off. Though the more Kristian saw of the Frenchman, the less concerned that that would be the outcome. 

   "Bonsoir", he answers, returning the greeting gesture without any sign of being uncomfortable with the more personal manner of greeting that the kiss to either cheek represented. Truthfully, he couldn't help but find it adorable that the other called Volker 'Mon ange'.  Of course, the memory of the response he got out of his younger brother when the other asked him what that meant, brought a subtle light of amusement in his gaze.  Of course, Volker didn't ask until Jean-Renée was present, but it still didn't fail to make the other Van Hasselt respond 'shyly' or closer to what most would see as shy than he usually did in public. 

   "It's true, we were exploring the area and we got turned around. We figured it was best to feed before we continued to try to get our bearings", he offered easily.  Despite the soft noise of protest that was just barely audible from his brother, Kristian clearly wasn't the least bit ashamed of their predicament. "But, if you'd like, I don't see why we can't stay with you for a bit." The protest Volker was likely to offer was something he could practically a physical force, so Kristian decided to direct his sweet smile in his brother's direction and circumvent that complaint. "It's not like we haven't been to Amsterdam, I'm sure Vati and Onkel Klaus wouldn't object."  After all, they were physically mature, and they were only here to feed, and now to visit with an acquaintance (though Kristian himself would like to say friend).  He half imagined Onkel Klaus would be amused by Volker's worry over getting Kristian out of the establishment, and that much more amused by the way the Frenchman seemed to make his brother want to flee the scene. 

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Word Count: 391
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[Jean-Renée Saulnier]

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If Volker's somewhat less than warm reception was concerning to Jean-Renée, such a thing was not displayed. And actually, it wasn't concerning in the least - especially not when one took into consideration the way the other's eyes had taken to roaming over his figure when the Frenchman wasn't supposed to be noticing. A hint of a smile twitched at the corners of his lips, his lashes lowering in coy fashion as he fell into a polite silence to allow the other two vampires to decide what they wished to do. And as he waited, the hand that had rested itself lightly against Volker's shoulder, slipped down to - of all things - brush fingers gently against the back of the larger man's hand and trace small circles against the skin there. 

"Well, if it is a meal that you two want...this is certainly the restaurant for you." He grinned, a hint of a perhaps charming wickedness flashing into that brief showing of teeth. "In fact, let me treat you. I am certain that between the three of us we can find something tasty...and I'd very much like to see to it that two people I am fond of are taken care of..." Again he smiled, though this one was a bit softer as his gaze had taken to slipping back up to meet Volker's, the fingers that had been busily stroking lightly along the other's skin now taking the opportunity to gently twine with his if it were so allowed and then using that light grip to sort of encourage the other and his sibling to follow along to the nearest table.

Of course, it wouldn't take them long - and he was careful to not lead them through areas too crowded as he doubted Volker and Kristian would appreciate the brush of a stranger against their own selves - and he would politely motion to the seats and wait patiently for them to settle first. Now, there was perhaps a hint of mischief in the way he watched the proceedings, but the cause for that mischief wouldn't become clear until Volker had settled. But the moment he appeared comfortable, that was when Jean-Renée would strike - and in striking, arrange himself quite cozily and quite forwardly in the other male's lap, settling his lean frame in a manner that allowed him to be tucked up against the other male while still having his legs dangling off the side of the other's thighs.

"Mmm. You are very comfortable, mon ange. As I have always suspected." He said in somewhat teasing tones, one arm draping itself around the other's shoulders. Oh, he was aware that it was entirely likely that he could simply get thrown off of his current perch at any time, but Jean-Renée had plans to enjoy while he could. "Now...what is your preference, mmm? Do we want a pretty boy or a pretty girl? Perhaps one of each?" He crooned the words to Volker, but the question was clearly for both of the Prussians, even while his free hand moved to idly play with a bit of hair that brushed against his 'comfortable seat' 's forehead.  

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Word Count: 531

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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  "We should make it quick and get 'home'", he offers with a sniff.  He didn't like what Kristian seemed to have in mind, and not just because of the Frenchman. Indeed, strange as it might have seemed, he was only slightly concerned about the trouble the older vampire might cause for him. Begrudgingly, he followed along, offering no further thought on the matter. He let his glare do the talking for any that just so happened to get too close.  Thankfully though, Jean-Renèe lead them in the least intrusive direction. 

   When they got to the table, Volker thought he could at least count on being safe for a bit. Certainly at the table, no one could just randomly cop a feel. Also, seated, weren't they less likely to suffer from the more pointed attempts at getting them involved in the 'festivities'.  Boy was he in for a surprise. 

    All of a sudden, there was a pretty Frenchman in his lap.  Volker's eyes widened and he just stared at the other, quite clearly too shocked to know what he should do.  What would Vati do? Well no, that certainly wasn't a good way to go about this. What about Onkel Klaus? .... Ok, he really didn't have that sort of confidence, not even the sort born of anger, to see him through trying to act like Onkel Klaus... Onkel Gunnar, well he would have probably been more lost than he was. 

   Volker may have been completely lost, but his body sure wasn't. If he'd been human, he would have been blushing, but that lack of ability didn't translate in an inability for other parts of him responding to something pretty situated in his lap. Standoffish, and reclusive though he was, he was still quite male. Still he could only stammer, and... well he couldn't very well look down could he? So, he aimed his glance across the room. He had to think of something, by the Mistress this had to be some sort of ... terrifying coma dream or something.  
 

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Word Count: 346
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[Kristian Van Hasselt]

    Volker wasn't the only one that had been surprised by the 'seating arrangements'. For the briefest of moments, the older Van Hasselt also blinked.  However, he was far quicker to recover than his brother.  Lashes lowering a bit, Kristian settled a bit more comfortably in his seat. Oh, he could tell Volker was uncomfortable but it was good for him.  There were other aspects of the situation that Kristian wasn't aware of, of course.  That would be something Volker would, no doubt, be immensely grateful for, if he had any mind to consider it. For a time, Kristian kept quiet, but of course, he could only do so for so long. He didn't want Jean-Renèe to become concerned about making him uncomfortable.  
 
     "Merci, that is generous of you", he begins, tones indicating that everything was perfectly normal.  Indeed, one might have though that Volker had simply always had a Jean-Renèe settle in his lap, if Kristian's voice were any indication. "You'll have to let us return the favor sometime", he follows up smoothly.  In truth, he was trying to figure out how to work this situation further to Jean-Renèe's advantage.  It was a shame really. While Kristian didn't mind what was going on around them, it made it impossible for him to justify  leaving the pair of them alone.  More to the point, he was finding it difficult to come up with any way he might suggest the pair of them might share a bloodsource without making things too obvious, or making Volker far too uneasy.  This was going to be tricky, texting Onkel Klaus couldn't be used every time, Volker would get suspicious. Besides, they were seated in a very public club, that was so full of people, it wouldn't make any sense for him to fight his way to a secluded corner when he was seated.  

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Word Count: 319
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[Jean-Renée Saulnier]

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Volker's shock was amusing, and his lips twitched with the effort it took not to let it show. After all, it was entirely likely that a man of such a prickly nature would be offended when really any sign of merriment was only meant in the gentlest way possible. "Of course. It is what friends do, oui?" And though he said this lightly, there was perhaps a bit of a question in his gaze that made it clear he hoped his assumption of such a relationship didn't offend. Germans, he knew, could be touchy about familiarity when given too soon. Certainly Volker seemed to be, though a moment's wiggling around in the larger male's lap made it clear that whether the forwardness was appreciated or not, the rest of the other's body certainly seemed to like it. 


He smiled a bit, lowering his lashes and his gaze so even that couldn't betray his Volker's state accidentally as embarrassing the man was not on Jean-Renée's agenda. There was a bit of playful mischief though, lingering in the Frenchman's expression as he offered Volker a single covert glance before settling in a bit more closely against him. A hand placed lightly against the other's cheek, drawing Volker's ear to his lips so he could speak quietly into it - and when he did speak, his lips brushed lightly against the skin of the other's lobe. "I am pleased that you like what you see, mon ange...", he crooned softly, smiling just a bit before playfully nipping at the lobe his mouth had ghosted against just previously. Other than that, he didn't move to push his 'luck' more. 


"I think Volker and I will share, oui? Pick someone pretty, mon ange. Whatever you like and I will be content." He grinned a bit, and reached up with a casual sort of affection to brush fingers through a bit of hair at the front of the other's head. " What about you Kristian? See anything tempting, mon ami?" 

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Word Count: 335 - Sorry for the kind of abrupt ending.  

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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     The squirming of the pretty thing in his lap made it that much more difficult for him to have Jean Renèe right where he was.  A soft, whimper like, noise thankfully remained mostly inaudible in the back of his throat. At least, he could be confident Kristian hadn't heard it. Damn this Frenchman anyway. The impossibility of his current predicament only served to leave him vulnerable to the other's hand moved his face.  Those words, and the brush of lips against his ear lobe were only trumped by the nip that followed.  Young and inexperienced though he was, the appeal of another's fangs was an instinctive draw. 

     "I... I don't know... anyone will be fine I guess."  There didn't seem to be any point in arguing about not sharing with the other.  Honestly, he didn't know what the better tactic would be, whether he should try to get this over with as quickly as possible and see if he couldn't get Kristian to leave, or if he should dig his heels in and fight everything.  The latter would mean he'd be stuck here longer. 

    Of course, like many things Volker got worked up about, he would calm down after awhile. Though in this case, he wouldn't be able to relax completely, not with Kristian in this sort of place, and someone was too close for his tastes.  Still, it wasn't like he was going to be at the same level of being stressed by the situation as he started out. He'd run out of energy for that before too long. 

     "What do you prefer?", he asks after a moment.  Hopefully the other would have something in mind. Honestly, Volker wasn't sure what he would want tonight.  His preference was  pretty broad, at least he'd never made a point to declare an inclination for any particular sort of blood source. 
 

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Word Count: 318
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[Kristian Van Hasselt]

   It was all he could do not to chuckle. Of course his younger brother hadn't meant to be agreeable, but in his endeavour to troublesome, he had only ensured that yes, Jean-Renèe could get away with sharing a blood source with him. Lowering his own lashes, he kept his thoughts to himself. The last thing the Frenchman needed was an ill timed comment causing Volker to get more defensive and off putting.

    Gaze scanning the club, Kristian considered the workers.  They were all well trained, and skilled to be sure.  That sort of made the new workers stand out a bit, at least to a vampire that was sensitive to the suffering of others.  Even the new servers carried themselves well, but it was likely not easy for many to simply jump into this. 

    So, he absently identified a fellow who likely could use a customer he wouldn't have to worry about being successfully seductive towards.  Besides, it was probably better anyway. Volker wouldn't have cared much for the sort of treatment many who were working in the club would have offered so naturally. 

   Once the sources were chosen, Kristian quickly ran though his other options. Would he be able to pull off shaking off his younger brother and leaving him in the care of Jean-Renèe. He might be able to get himself home, well with a call he could for sure arrange a ride.  The problem was getting Volker to stay. He'd have better luck if he could lose him somewhere in here... but here wasn't a very good place to escape Volker in.  Well... if nothing else, he'd just have to figure out some other way to arrange for his brother to be cornered. 

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Word Count: 296
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[Jean-Renée Saulnier]

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A hand slipped up to the braid of hair that still hung over his shoulder, fingers absently tugging at the end of it as his gaze slid over the scantily clad workers of such a place. There was just a bit of anxiety...nothing much to cause him to cease what he was doing, or to really worry over it too much - but this choosing a meal for them was going to be difficult as it put Jean-Renée into quite the predicament. After all, he didn't want to push the taller vampire into anything he wasn't comfortable with...and that in itself made it incredibly difficult to choose a blood source as the majority of people wearing red bands were clearly designed to pleasure as much as please - a thing that he was certain Volker would find distasteful even if it was just a bit of harmless flirtation mixed in with the feeding. 


In truth, such a thing didn't make the Frenchman all that comfortable either. It felt...wrong somehow to flirt with even a human that he had no intention of following through with when there was a Volker around. Finally, though, he found what he was looking for - another source that was much like Kristian's choice, a pretty young man who simply looked like he could use a customor and wouldn't likely make advances when there were no indications such a thing was wanted present. And the staff here was good, so good that the moment eyes met, the young men in question began walking over, waiting patiently to be given instruction.

"Do we want his blood augmented, mon ange?" Jean-Renée purred - leaning in a bit as he did so, placing his lips in close proximity to Volker's. After all, he wasn't aiming to flirt with the human, but he certainly was aiming to flirt with the Prussian who's lap he was settled on. He smiled a bit, moving away slightly so Volker didn't feel too crowded to make a choice, and waited patiently for the other to decide while he turned to Kristian. "And what about you, mon ami. I understand Zeo has a rather fine wine list if you enjoy that sort. Beer and other liquors as well.." He chuckled a bit. "Certainly my Italian friend has quite the apppreciation for the finer things life has to offer..."  

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Word Count: 396

[Volker Van Hasselt]

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     Looking over the human in question absently, he supposed that one would do just fine. It wasn't like there was anything he would rather have, and at the very least, said boy didn't seem to be trying to make things awkward. Similarly, he didn't find too much fault in Kristian's choice. Not, of course, that he would say anything against the older Van Hasselt, but he certainly had been willing to glare at whoever he picked, if the human, or whatever race of being, made sure to behave his or herself.  

     Sitting back just a bit, Volker tried to look more at ease with the situation than he was. His efforts, to seem at east, however, didn't translate to a particularly laid back posture.  He still continued to hold himself in that stern rigidity he seemed to so naturally adopt.  The question of augmentation was a good one.  Honestly, Volker hadn't thought that far ahead, much to his own chagrin.  

      What were you going to have?.... Before we showed up."  That seemed like a safe enough route. Likely, if he'd picked something, it would be something the other wouldn't like.  Of course, then he did have to wonder why he cared if he picked something the other didn't like.  It would be the Frenchman's own fault for coming up with this crazy notion that they should share

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Word Count: 235
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[Kristian Van Hasselt]

   He smiles some, not for any particular reason, but really just because of who he is.  He found himself in a place that took a bit of debating to figure out how he would proceed. On one hand, he really wished he could prod Volker into taking the lead in the conversation with Jean-Renèe, that wouldn't happen if he took initiative to inquire about subjects the Frenchman's comments would naturally bring them too.  At the same time, Kristian knew well enough that Volker wasn't likely to talk at all unless the older of the pair initiated conversation with Jean-Renèe and, more or less 'forced' him to join in.  Since it looked like he couldn't yet find a way to get the pair of them alone, it seemed there was only one likely way to keep things from settling in to what might be an awkward silence. 
 
   "I think I'll keep the blood pure this time thank you." Sometimes one did crave just blood, and honestly, he could be like that when he felt particularly in need.  The exploration with his brother had him a bit famished honestly, though unlike Volker, he could bare such hunger with more grace. "You know the proprietor?", he asks curiously.  The pair of them hadn't really taken the opportunity to learn the 'who is who' of the district.  They were vaguely aware of who the other clanmasters were, but the fact that one of them was the owner of nightclubs in the district was unknown to them.  Even if Kristian had been aware, he still would have inquired.  

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Word Count: 273
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