[hider=Isabel 'Izzy' Volkov]




[b]Name:[/b] Isabel 'Izzy' Volkov

[b]Nationality and Race:[/b] Caucasian, British mother, Russian father, born and raised in England.

[b]Age:[/b] 25

[b]Sex/Gender:[/b] Female

[b]Appearance:[/b] At 5'7", with a lithe build, Isabel has a determination that permeates the way she carried herself, from the way she walks, sits, and interacts with others, usually with a sly half smirk thrown in for good measure (a trait from her mother, as her father liked to constantly remind her). In fact she looked very much like her mother, pale skin, with high pronounced cheekbones that curved gently down to a firm, rounded jaw. A small, slightly crooked cat-like mouth, a thin, delicate nose, and large pale blue eyes further cemented the fact that she was indeed 'her mother's daughter'. The only trait Isabel really seemed to inherit from her father was his hair, although it was still a dazzling pale, almost white, blonde, like her mother. Thick, with loose, wavy curls, it was cut short, just above her chin in length which, as her mother liked to constantly remind her, was very unladylike.

Day to day, much to her disdain, Isabel would wear the big cumbersome dresses that seemed to "Never go out of bloody fashion", thankfully for this new spacefaring journey, practicality was a necessity. Isabel had 'borrowed' her brother's old red military jacket, the one he wore before being assigned to the Rifle Brigade. After a few alterations, it fit her more or less perfectly (every self respecting English woman was an adequate seamstress, after all). A few pairs of trousers, some rugged boots, and a number of differently coloured frilly collared dress shirts finished her ensemble.

As well as the basic survival equipment, Isabel brought along two items of note. The first being a Colt Army Model 1860 revolver her father brought back from a trip to America, a finely kept weapon with a dark wooden grip. While Isabel had no formal combat or weapons training, her brother made a point about her being able to defend herself and taught her the basics of marksmanship and unarmed combat, which she has tried to improve upon on a near daily basis.

The second item was something she felt significantly more confident in its use. A Daguerreotype Camera, probably the first camera to ever be widely used, and with the introduction of more advanced photographical technology, the days of long exposure times found in previous, more antiquated models was next to non-existent. Set inside a fine oaken box, with silver metal lens casing and hinges, and a built in flash bulb, Isabel could easily carry it at her side with the attached strap over her shoulder. Even so, the device was still cumbersome to use, this was alleviated by an easily collapsible tripod that was attached to its underside, for the very best photographical experience!

[b]Skills, Abilities and Profession:[/b] By day, Isabel is a journalist, a small article writer for a major London newspaper. Non-political, obviously (can't have women involved in politics after all). Pieces that focused on everything the modern woman would need to know, from new and upcoming fashions, to the best tea shops, lace markets, fine china, even some articles on nature watching, all accompanied with high quality photo supplements.

By night, the young woman's interests took a somewhat darker turn. Unbeknownst to her family, Isabel's journalism skills were turned to private investigation. Keeping her identity a secret, the young woman had established herself as someone who could who dig up the truth on pretty much anything. Granted, most cases revolved around proving adulterous behaviour of a spouse, but occasionally more interesting jobs would crop up. 

Shrewdness came with the job, as such Isabel is very talented at spotting deception and generally reading people, not many could claim to have pulled the wool over her eyes. Her numerous evening exploits have sharpened her more... dubious skills. Sneaky, with a talent for picking locks and climbing, as well as a scrap with a troublemaker or two, there weren't many barriers that could keep her from what she sought.

Isabel is also fluent in Russian, her father insisting that she and her brother learn the language and culture of his homeland, although her brother never really took to it like she did, much to her frustration. She occasionally drops the odd word or two into her spoken English (mostly expletives, much to her family's disapproval). 

What young, truth seeking woman wouldn't pounce on the opportunity to document and reveal the truth about the greater universe?

[b]Personality:[/b] Cheeky, with a strong sense of justice, a thirst for adventure, and a sarcastic sense of humour, Isabel is a naturally inquisitive and eloquent woman (but not above a dirty joke or two). She is intelligent, charismatic, and kindhearted, with a disarming penchant for cunning that most wouldn't suspect. Isabel can however, be very stubborn and immature at times, to the point of pettiness. She once wrote a scathing review of one particular tea shop because a waitress gave her a teacup with a cat on it, even though she specifically requested the one with the Welsh Corgi, because that was her favourite cup, and the wench knew it was her favourite cup, and she did it just to spite Isabel, because she was clearly jealous of-DORIS YOU HARLOT!

Family is very important to Isabel, she is fiercely close and loyal to her twin brother, Alexander (despite how much she'd say otherwise), and isn't afraid to engage in the verbal fisticuffs he'd otherwise be too respectable and polite to engage in. However, her mouth has gotten her into trouble, and she is often prone to recklessness, getting her into situations that not even she can talk herself out of, often relying on her brother's more diplomatic and tactful approach to conflict. 

[b]Loves:[/b] Tea, a good book, winding up her brother, swearing in Russian.

[b]Hates:[/b] People blocking her camera shots, moustaches, being bossed around, especially by people with moustaches. 

[b]Biography:[/b] Isabel was born to the daughter of an aristocrat and a Russian jeweller (a very good one at that), his skills and the wealth he gained from them allowed him to bridge the class divide, although her parents actually loving each other may have had a hand in that, rather than a typical marriage of convenience or for power.

The 'youngest' of twins, Isabel came into the world moments after her brother, something Alexander enjoys pointing out during her more immature moments. Even with the world as it was, the two never wanted for anything, and were able to pursue any avenue that took their fancy.

In their childhood years, Isabel was the more confident of the twins, taking to academia more vigorously than her sibling, however both shared a love for adventure, especially those in the penny dreadfuls. The pair often spent longs days together reading them, Isabel sometimes dragging her brother along for some real adventures, that always led to one or both of them getting into trouble. Even now she secretly partakes in a cheeky read of an issue occasionally.

As the pair grew older, the pressures of what was expected of them and their respective genders inevitably pulled them apart, and the days of adventuring were over.

As a 'lady', Isabel performed everything that was expected of her, but always held some deep resentment that her brother got to join the military and eventually travel to distant lands. The resentment was never aimed at her brother, of course, whom she adored, but that she didn't get to go with him. The correspondence the pair exchanged while Alexander was in the colonies were long and many, practically begging her brother to tell her of the amazing adventures he was having.

Alex always wrote back, and while she felt that some of the details were exaggerated, she chose to believe them, living vicariously through him. It was around this time that she purchased for herself a camera, sending as many pictures as she could to her brother, many of them of home, of their parents, with the occasional shot of her blowing raspberries thrown in for good measure. Isabel felt liked her brother greatly appreciated these little snippets of home, and what was a gimmicky diversion, developed (pun intended) into a full blown passion. 

Isabel's love of literature eventually led her into writing herself, her mother called in a few favours and she found herself with a nice little column in a newspaper, she was however restricted to purely 'ladylike' publications, which annoyed her greatly at first, however the inclusion of her own photographs swung the idea for her. Although she found many of the subjects of her writing to be somewhat vapid, she very much enjoyed the photography aspect that accompanied it, the stills she captured of life, of things people loved, that was what kept her sane for the longest time. Especially with her family pressuring her to take a husband.

Ultimately she always managed postpone marital pressures, many arguments falling in her favour with a variation of the comment, "But mother, you and father love each other very much, do you not want me to find a love such as the one you share and not just take a husband for the sake of it?"

Isabel could always count on that one to hold her parents at bay for at least a month or two. It was not for a lack of suitors looking for her hand, it was as simple as the fact they bored her. Bored her with their simple interests and their talk of wealth, not one of them ever sparked a fire in her, and she was perfectly content to wait until such a man did.

Isabel's dive into personal investigation was a purely inquisitive one. Many people who advertise their need for a detective in the newspapers. Answering one of these correspondents, she attended a meeting, in disguise of course, with a dark wig, and obscuring make up, she acted as the 'assistant' of a 'deeply secretive' PI, who wished to keep his identity anonymous. Many were dubious at first, but Isabel got results, and eventually word of this 'detective's' success spread around. The young woman was always very cautious not to take on anything too big however, the last thing she needed was to draw a massive amount of attention, especially anything that would result in media attention. 

This was all the adventure she needed, until a major recruitment effort by the government began again for another attempt at sending a ship to the stars! Isabel didn't even think about it, she threw her name into the hat immediately, and to her surprise was selected.

It never occurred to her that there might be a very good reason as to why nobody ever returned from these journeys, she was blinded by the opportunity to document the proceedings, and the pictures! Oh the pictures she could take! Her parents didn't take the news well, especially her brother. Isabel had never seen him so angry, but she wasn't going to back out! Cursing her stubbornness, Alexander appealed to the powers that be that he be allowed to accompany his sister to ensure her safety. Surprisingly, they agreed!

Finally, being considered the weaker gender finally paid off! Isabel was going on her very own adventure, and with her brother to boot! 

[b]Dependants:[/b] Alexander Volkov (twin brother).[/hider]