Intro
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24 [10/29]
Navigator
Vitali is half-Spaniard (mother), half-Russian (father), and heavily looks it. His skin is healthily bronzed, splashed with freckles from lifelong sun exposure. Atop his head is a mess of loose, dark waves that seem to always make him look like he just rolled out of bed. He prefers to keep his facial hair trim, which accentuates his square jawline. While his head and facial hair (including eyelashes) are thick and dark, Vitali has only light body hair. His eyes are heterochromatic (heterochromia iridium)--the left is a dark brown and the right is a pale gold. He is 5'10 and physically fit, though his arms appear more muscular than his legs. His shape is proportionate, but his legs just look softer.
Usually Vitali is seen wearing a whitish, collarless button-down shirt with semi-loose black pants. The shirt is usually tucked in (as is customary) but unbuttoned up to three buttons down. If he is going ashore, he may dress up a little by donning a black single-breasted waistcoat and a simply tied cravat. Regardless of circumstance, he only wears one pair of calf length boots. As far as accessories go, Vitali has three helix piercings in each ear that are occupied by thin silver hoops; he also wears a sapphire stud in his left lobe. On his right flank is a compass rose tattoo with kraken tentacles emanating from the circle and wrapping slightly around his right hip and back.
Personality+ He HOARDS maps and charts--wind patterns, ocean currents, celestial bodies, you want a map for it and he's probably got one stuffed in his shelves somewhere. They are the first things he checks for when the crew boards a prize ship.
As with many highly intelligent types, Vitali prefers to keep to himself. He spends much of his time sitting on the outskirts of conversation, thinking and analyzing instead of speaking with his peers. This does not mean he doesn't enjoy chatting with people or is particularly serious; he's just more likely to remain quiet until he is spoken to. If someone does initiate conversation with him, he is likely to be quite amiable and warm. He is the ship's navigator for a good reason. His mind is highly logical, and he has excellent problem-solving skills and memory recall. Although he might seem strictly rational and scientific, Vitali has a proclivity towards pondering about the "further meaning" of things. He has a deep interest in astrology, probably induced by studying the heavens and positions of celestial bodies in order to navigate a vessel. It's easy for him to get very introspective and contemplate his (and others') existence; he tries not to let this side of himself show unless he knows someone very well. In a fight, this is a man you don't want to cross. He was raised to give no quarter to adversaries and dispatches them with cold calculation and finesse.
History
Vitali has no tortured past to speak of. His mother was a sea pirate and first mate; his father was her captain. Being born and raised on a ship with a crew of mostly women, he quickly learned responsibility, poise, and grace. Although the crew was composed of fierce and battle-hardened ladies, most of them showed the child genuine affection along with necessary lessons. If he got a splinter while he was swabbing, Marie would remove it and kiss his finger. When he fell off the poop deck because the rope he was carrying got tangled around his legs, Adriana gave him a warm hug and showed him how to properly coil a rope. The cook, Beatriz, taught him to make the best salmagundi ever. When he was 16, he left his beloved family crew at port to begin his own life. He traveled with many people--including mercenaries who planted the seed of his interest in the stars. It was with much studying and practice that he became as proficient with maps and a spyglass as he is now. When he voluntarily signed on with the captain at the age of 23, it was as a professional navigator.
Other
+ Along with charts he also collects navigational tools. Currently he has about 23 sextants, 16 quadrants, and 37 compasses, to put it in perspective.
+ He's hella gay.
+ He also gets chilly easily, so he'll wrap up in a blanket when he pores over his maps above deck. You can pretty much always find him in a sweater with a hot drink.
+ Speaking of hot drinks, he drinks tea CONSTANTLY.
