Vivianne Ann Merlot
Name: Vivianne Ann Merlot
Age: 26
Birthday: December
4
Occupation: Pirate
Captain 
Favorite past-time:
Searching for adventure...
About Vivianne: Vivianne
was born into a wealthy noble family. She was raised with the best education
and her whole life consisted of studies and proper social gatherings of the
rich. She hated the gaudy gowns she was forced to wear and the monotonous schedule
of planned life. Cared for all her life at home, she got tired of her silver
spoon existence. She cut her hair short, dressed in her brother's clothes and
ran away from home at the age of 15.
She boarded a cargo ship in hopes of sailing to the east to a foreign land.
Unfortunately her journey ended quicker than she had hoped when the fluyte was
raided by pirates.
She and the others on board the cargo ship were given two options: walk the
plank or join the pirate's crew. Not wanting to die so quickly, she reluctantly
joined the pirate's crew. She was hoping she could pose as a boy long enough
to reach land then make a break for it. But Vivi was unlucky... With the goods
that they gained from the cargo ship, the pirates didn't plan to dock at a harbor
for another three months.
The Captain of the ship's name was Brigantes. He was cunning, handsome and
extremely charming. Vivi figured him to be around ten years her senior. While
he was very sharp and rough, he was just with his crew and treated them well.
Vivi tried her hardest to keep up her boy charade. She managed to pick up a
few things from her shipmates to get along. Under Brigantes' command, she was
taught the basics of sailing and also how to swing a sword and shoot a gun.
However, when Brigantes was tipped off by his quartermaster that this boy (she
called herself Vivane) was a 'funny' one, he confronted her.
He told her he didn't like pansy boys on his ship. He glared at her and muttered
something about her being a girl. Vivi instantly denied it but her heart was
racing. Did the Captain know? The Captain let her know that he'd be keeping
a close eye on her from now on. If he felt she was acting in a manner he didn't
like, he'd throw her overboard.
Scared of the Captain's sure threat and now under the strict watch of both the
quartermaster and the Captain, Vivi worked harder to keep them at bay. When
she had swabby duty, she cleaned the deck until it virtually shined. When she
had scullery duty, the pots and dishes were never better. When she shot her
gun, she learned not to flinch or second guess herself... and when she swung
her sword, she was out for blood. She even started a fist fight or two when
a shipmate called her a girl. The Captain was thoroughly impressed by the quick
improvement of character and he promoted her from cabin boy to sailor status.
Within a few days of the promotion, Vivi participated in her first ship raid.
It was merchant fluyte much like the one Vivi was originally riding on. It was
large, but not much of a challenge for Brigantes' capable crew. During the rush
of boarding the ship, Vivi was riding on an adrenaline overload. The screaming,
gun shooting and sword swinging excited her. The whole time her heart was beating
in her ears. It was then during that moment of intense exhilaration that Vivi
knew she had to become a full fledged pirate, no matter what.
The few months at sea passed by quickly and the ship had docked at several
port towns. Vivi's original plan to walk away had been long forgotten. When
the crew gathered at the docks for another journey, Vivi was always one of the
first in line to board the ship. Since the raid she had participated in, Vivi
became absorbed in learning everything about what it takes to be not just a
sailor, but a pirate. In every raid, she was the first into battle. She fought
with such a heated fervor she earned herself the nickname "Red Sword Vane".
She was always diligent with her duties and what little extra time she had,
she spent doing other jobs about the ship to increase her knowledge. She became
well appreciated by her officers and was even pointed out to the Captain because
she was a dedicated sailor and always went beyond her duties.
Unfortunately, with her extreme dedication she began to disregard her own health
and eventually fell ill. But when the ship's surgeon tried to check her, she
insisted she was fine and stormed back up to the deck in fear that the surgeon
would find out her secret. She continued in this stubborn manner until she collapsed
from her sickness. She recovered fairly quickly and without incident. She thought
she somehow avoided the surgeon figuring out she was a girl until she was requested
by the Captain for a personal talk in his cabin. When she arrived, the Captain
was standing there along with the quartermaster and the surgeon. She cringed
as she approached, she had been found out.
The surgeon and quartermaster were both rather upset over the matter, but Captain
Brigantes thought it rather humorous. Vivi explained herself about why she was
acting like a boy and she pleaded to let her stay on board as a sailor. The
quartermaster advised the Captain against it saying that having a female on
board is a bad news for her and the crew but the Captain brushed it off explaining
that it should be no different; she is still a diligent sailor and an excellent
fighter. He granted Vivi permission to stay on board as a sailor, however if
since she insisted on being treated no differently, she would have to announce
to the crew her secret and also except 40 lashes barebacked for keeping this
secret. He also told her she is responsible for her own safety if she wishes
to stay. Vivi thought it was a fair punishment and agreed. She was immediately
led above deck for her lashing.
While she was receiving her lashings, the crew whooped and jeered at her. Vivi
only spat and cursed them back announcing that her name was Vivianne and if
anyone calls her otherwise, they'd have a fight on their hands. Once again,
Captain Brigantes was amused. Even while being punished in front of her shipmates;
it didn't bother her that the odds were against her now. Her strong desire to
be a pirate was invigorating. Despite his better judgment, Brigantes made a
mental note to watch over Vivi and make sure she remained safe.
Vivi remained under Captain Brigantes' careful watch for the next six years.
The first year was rough for her and her shipmates. She was amazed at how the
crew’s attitude changed so drastically when they found out she was a female.
The year went by with many incidences, but she managed herself quite well. During
the next five years, Vivi became the most skilled pirate in Brigantes’
crew and was promoted to Pilot. She was more than competent enough to handle
any task given to her and her infamy grew as Red Sword Vane on both sea and
land. The crew had become familiar with Vivi by then, and she had long proved
herself worthy to be among them. However, being female was still an issue with
the sailors. Vivi was now a well developed young lady and she was becoming a
distraction for everyone around her. It didn’t help that Vivi would use
her feminine qualities to tease the other sailors, much to the dismay of the
Captain as he had become very fond of her. This led to another meeting in the
Captain’s quarters.
Captain Brigantes told Vivi that he had was going to drop her off at the next
port they came to. Even though she was the best sailor he’d ever had,
the ship could not fully operate with her around any longer. Vivi was shocked
by the news. She had teased her shipmates in jest but never thought it would
come to something like this. She pleaded to the Captain to let her stay but
the Captain apologized and refused. To make matters worse, he ordered her to
remain in his cabin until they reached the port, which was a few weeks off.
She was to obey or be thrown overboard. When Vivi protested saying she’d
rather walk the plank than stay as a prisoner in the cabin, the Captain simply
responded that she would do no such thing, and shut her in the cabin.
Stuck inside, Vivi became depressed and her vivacity left her and she became
idle. Worried about her health, the Captain began visiting her often and tried
to include her in his daily activities. He invited her to take dictations of
the Captain’s log and he had his officers report to him in the cabin so
that Vivi would know the daily activities on the deck. He even consulted her
on small affairs of the ship. What little spare time he had, he spent with her,
either talking or playing cards or just in silent company of each other. It
was something new for the both of them since they rarely talked to each other
before this. Vivi was extremely grateful that the Captain was kind enough to
concern her in his matters. For the Captain, Vivi was the first woman that he
took a true interest in. The small time they had spent together established
an understanding between the two and the start of an endearing romantic relationship.
Before they landed at the port, the Captain took his chances and asked for Vivi’s
hand in marriage. Vivi was extremely flattered but she refused saying that she
must go on her own to fulfill her pirating dreams. Captain Brigantes was full
of understanding but he did not want to give in just yet. He made a friendly
bet with her over a game of cards: If she won, Brigante’s ship, the Lady
Justine, and her crew were hers to do with as she pleased. If she lost, she
would become his bride. First she outright refused, but with the egging of the
Captain and the challenge set in front of her, Vivi changed her mind and agreed
to the bet. They had played cards together many times before and the odds were
extremely in her favor. To add a little twist to it, Vivi proposed that they
let the sailors in on the bet and play the game on the deck. The Captain thought
it was a wonderful idea and led her out of the cabin with a deck of cards in
his hand.
The crew was surprised with the bet and not too amused that they were a part
of the winnings. However, in good spirit, the Captain said either way, they
would be taken good care of. The Captain asked one of the sailors to check the
deck, to make sure this was going to be a fair card game. When it was OKed,
the cards were dealt and the game started. The crew stood around the two with
baited breath. Several shuffled this way and that checking both of their cards.
Once or twice, a sailor would try to comment, but was immediately hushed. Vivi
remained confident throughout her playing. She had a good hand as usual. The
Captain on the other hand looked nervous. At the end, they laid the cards out.
With a gasp then a loud cheer from the crew Vivi threw her head in her hands.
The Captain’s hand had remarkably trumped hers. She had lost! She teased
the Captain saying he had cheated but she understood a bet was a bet. That night
the crew celebrated their survival and the new engagement between Vivi and the
Captain.
When they had reached the port of Queenstown, the Captain made arrangements
for a quick wedding at the chapel, since they were to set sail in a few days.
Vivi was sent off in preparations for the wedding. While being fitted for the
gown she was to wear at the wedding, she began talking with Elizabeth, the girl
who was attending her. The girl was no older than Vivi herself. They chatted
idly about sailing and Vivi began telling a few of her exciting stories. Elizabeth
listened with a lot of interest, commenting about her adventures and how fun
it must have been. She remarked that she wish she too could just drop everything
and go sailing on a ship. Vivi asked her why couldn’t she? The girl hesitated,
she knew how to pilot a ship but she couldn’t really go out sailing…
not with her dress shop apprenticeship. Vivi went on saying that sailing is
one of the finest things a person could do. You could go anywhere you wanted,
see so many things you would never think about seeing and have no one to stop
you. Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically, it sounded so fun to her. She asked
Vivi, if being married would mean she’d not be able to sail anymore and
Vivi responded with a lamenting sigh. She wasn’t sure.
The more the two girls talked the more Elizabeth was becoming convinced she
wanted to sail. Vivi on the other hand was becoming convinced that being a wife
would not allow her to sail anymore. Vivi took Elizabeth by the shoulders and
shook her. She asked Elizabeth, if she were to get a ship that they could sail
on their own, would she go with her? Would she go right away? Elizabeth stared
at Vivi dumbfounded at first, but her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. She was so
drawn to the charisma and lively personality of this woman she didn’t
hesitate with her answer.
The next day, the day of the wedding, Vivi and Elizabeth met outside of the
chapel. Vivi told Elizabeth that everything is ready so get ready to shove off
as soon as she arrives. Elizabeth responded with an “Aye aye, Captain”
and ran to the docks. Vivi stood outside the chapel in her gown, and waited
for Brigantes. When he and a few crew members arrived for the ceremony, he immediately
put a beautiful golden cross necklace around her neck. She thanked and kissed
him then backed up, drawing a dagger. She apologized profusely to him saying
even though she loved him deeply, she couldn’t give up her dream. She
turned quickly and ran to the docks, with him chasing after her. Seeing her
Captain running, Elizabeth started the small ship off. Vivi made a leap off
of the docks and onto the ship. She turned and waved goodbye to her fiancé
as he stopped at the dock’s edge and cursed her at the top of his lungs
quickly followed by a string of endearments and professions of love. She returned
the goodbyes and told him to meet her at this port again in 6 months to the
day.
6 months passed and when Vivi sailed into Queenstown port once more, she had
a ship large enough to rival the Lady Justine (now called the Lady Vivianne) and a crew more capable than Brigantes’
own. Just as she had requested, Brigantes was there at the docks patiently waiting
for her arrival. Pleased with her accomplishments and now the captain of her
own crew, Vivi felt that she no longer had to fear being tied down. She and
Brigantes were married in the chapel that she had once run away from. They had
a quick honeymoon in the town and in a few days, they went off in their different
directions, vowing to meet again in 6 months.
Creator's comments: Vivianne
version 3!!! The first paint I had on her was soooo simple looking I thought
I'd give her more character this time 'round. The second time, she became a
pirate because when I was painting her face, I couldn't get her left eye correct.
I gave her an eyepatch and left her at that. This time around I gave her a clearer
face paint and corrected her eye so she can go with or without the eyepatch...
but I like her with it on. ^^; Her mouth has also been cut to give her wider
lips.
Material:
- Body- Excellent
E
- Head- Modified
A Head
- Hair - Pre-rooted
Wavy Gold
- Eyes- Liquitex
acrylic paint