- Origin
The story of the Desmond family begins far from Karakura. In the United Kingdom during the 1920s to be more precisely. Great-grandfather Desmond was British but decided to move to Germany in the year 1958, taking along his entire family. Moving countries was thought to be a singular event, but it would mark the start of a long tradition. Leaving what is known and comfortable behind to build something better elsewhere.
Three generations later this spirit lives on in his great-grandson, Hansel Desmond.
Hansel was born in Munich to a German father and a German-Japanese mother. Raised between two cultures he grew up with an understanding that identity was not at all simple. Belonging, he had learned through example of his dear mother, was something people had to build for themselves.
From his German upbringing he inherited structure and an interest in the law, from his Japanese heritage he inherited a respect for family, restrain and up to a certain point, tradition.
These influences would not only shape Hansel but even the family he was to build decades later, in Karakura.
- Values
The Desmond family does not consider legacy something which is simply inherited. Not something which is received by being born as the eldest son or daughter. A family name, their family name, only has meaning when the members of the family give meaning to it. The Desmonds have started calling this Ethical Ambition, success should be pursued by all family members with a certain discipline but never at the cost of honour.
Ambition without morality is little more than selfishness. Power without restraint is dangerous and the checks and balances of modern society are something which they will always try to uphold. There is an order to the world and how things are and they will do their best to maintain the status quo of said order. Every member of the family is expected to better themselves, be it through sports, cooking, art, ... whatever it is, find something you love doing and grow better in doing it. Last but definitely not least, never forget that misdeeds of one always reflect poorly upon the entire family.
This ethical ambition has, over time, turned into these pillars of belief.
Some members of the family might not agree, but it is at any rate what Valdemar and Hansel try to instill in their children.- Ambition: Every Desmond is expected to strive towards their goals with purpose and especially discipline.
- Justice: Influenced by Hansel's own work in law, the family believes in honesty, fairness and accountability. This is strengthened by Valdemar's love for the rules and hate of corruption.
- Perseverance: Progress may be slow and sometimes dull and hard but the Desmonds try to teach their children that lasting success takes a while to grow. Rome was not built in a day, after all.
- Integrity: One's word once given, must be kept. The family does not like breaking promises, breaking a promise is a sign of moral decay.
- Bravery: Courage is not the absence of fear but the will to act despite being scared. The Desmonds face adversity with calmness and, in some cases, even brazen arrogance and attitude.
- Kindness: Power and intellect mean nothing without compassion. The Desmonds value empathy as the highest expression of the human condition. Not all of them are equally warm, but they do strive to be kind in their own way.
- Arrival in Karakura
After having met and married his husband, Valdemar Lindahl (now Desmond) Hansel moved to Karakura. It was not just a new place, it was a link to his own mother who came from the mainland's coast in the vicinity of Karakura. It was a place where his husband and himself could begin another chapter in the story of the Desmond family, leaving around Europe, but not their European roots.
Valdemar doubted the move to Karakura, having found a solid position as a teacher in Germany. After several years Hansel had succeeded in convincing him after building a solid enough foundation working as a lawyer for Karakura's government. He applied and accepted a position as an English teacher at Karakura Highschool, while his brother's acceptance as a psychiatrist at Karakura Hospital helped nudge him over the edge.
After having established a solid career as a teacher and lawyer couple, they decided to adopt some of the many lost children at the island. Finding it their duty to, even in their private life, help establish order and help and love children they could help their own. Ethical ambition at its finest. They settled their home in the Business District, block S to be precise and after lacking room renting a house for some of the children in the Kaigan district, right behind KPD. Valdemar is convinced that thanks to the Desmond's presence there, the KPD can rest slightly more easily, at least in that neighbourhood.
They eventually adopted quite some children after which several other members of the Desmond and even Lindahl family moved to Karakura. The family now has a modest but stable presence within the Karakura Hospital and Karakura Highschool. Hansel, after having worked for the Karakura government for years, decided to focus on his private practice.
- Family tree
- Notable family members
W.I.P.
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