Because her human family left her, Juniper likely feels she can only rely on herself. She probably struggles to ask for help, even when she’s overwhelmed, viewing it as a sign of weakness. She might keep people at a distance to prevent being hurt again. Her "mean" or "abrasive" streak is likely a defensive wall she built to test if people will stay even when she's difficult. Growing up without a safety net often leads to a "live for today" attitude. She is prone to taking high-stakes risks because she doesn’t expect a long or stable future. Juniper doesn't give respect for free. She likely views it as a currency that must be earned through competence and mutual decency. She won’t ask if you’re okay; she’ll shove a plate of food or a bandage at you and bark, "Eat it before I throw you overboard for being a liability." She constantly attributes her kindness to practical ship needs. If she stays up all night guarding a sick crewmate, she’ll claim it’s only because she "needs them at 100% for the next raid." : When a crewmate takes a stupid risk, she doesn’t hug them when they return—she yells at them. Her "mean" streak is often just her own terror for their safety coming out as anger. She often has a stiff posture, crossed arms, or hands hovering near her belt of gUnS, always ready for a threat to her or her Crewmates. 'brother' (close crew member) relation ship 10/10 Finn "The Flare" (Age 17) The Look: Lean and agile with messy sun-bleached hair and a lopsided grin. He wears a mismatched vest and colorful bandanas he’s "borrowed" from various ports. The Personality: He’s high-energy and thinks he’s a legendary charmer (though most girls at the docks just find him "sweet"). He lives for the thrill of the climb and often hangs from the rigging just to annoy Juniper. The Role: He’s the Mediator. When Juniper gets that "mean" look in her amber eyes and starts reaching for her guns during a dispute with another crew, Finn is the one who jumps in, puts an arm around her shoulder, and says, "Easy, June! You’ll get wrinkles if you scowl like that. Let me talk to these fine gentlemen." Juniper spends 40% of her day yelling at Finn to "Get down from there before you break your neck and I have to waste my medical supplies on you!" If Finn actually gets hurt, Juniper goes from "grumpy" to "terrifying." She’ll stitch his wounds with a furious expression, yelling at him for being reckless while her hands are actually shaking because she was scared for him. Finn knows exactly which buttons to push. When she’s truly angry, he’ll offer her a piece of fruit he "stole" just for her, or make a self-deprecating joke that forces her to roll her eyes instead of drawing a weapon. Because Juniper was abandoned by her blood family, Finn represents her first successful "bond." He never left, even when she was mean to him, and that’s why she tolerates his recklessness. The Rival: Silas "Silver-Tongue" Vane (Age 20) The Ship: Captain of the Gilded Dagger, a fast, sleek schooner that is much newer and flashier than the Leviathan. The Look: He is the opposite of Juniper’s practical navy dress and salt-stained boots. Silas wears high-quality, stolen silks and has a clean-shaven, arrogant face that he uses to charm his way out of trouble. The Personality: He is c0ky, entitled, and smooth. He views piracy as a game of wit rather than a struggle for survival. He doesn't understand Juniper’s "found family" bond, often mocking her for being a "nursemaid" to her crew. While Juniper is fierce, cautious, and direct, Silas is slippery and manipulative. He knows he can’t beat her in a fair fight (her g u n s make sureof that), so he uses mind games and sabotage instead. Silas knows Juniper’s weakness is her crew. He doesn't target Juniper; he targets Finn or Marina. He might try to "recruit" Finn with promises of a richer life or try to out-charm Marina just to see if he can. Silas thinks he’s a god-tier charmer, but Marina sees right through him. He views her as the "trophy" he can’t win, which makes him obsess over the Leviathan even more. This makes Juniper extra mean to him. To Juniper, Silas "pursuing" Marina isn't romantic; it's a threat to her family unit. Every time he sends over a bottle of fine wine or tries to flirt across the water, Juniper wants to use it for target practice. It creates a hilarious "protective wall" situation. When Silas tries to talk to Marina, Juniper likely steps in the way, hand on her g u n s, scowling until he backs off. Marina probably uses Silas’s crush against him. She might give him a small, fake smile just to get him to reveal his ship's coordinates or to stall for time while Finn sneaks something off his deck.
The "No-Nonsense" Pirate Dress Fabric & Texture: Instead of delicate silk or lace, envision a heavy indigo-dyed linen or canvas. It is weathered by salt spray, with faint sun-bleaching on the shoulders and frayed edges at the hem from moving quickly across decks. Practical Cut: The Skirt: A mid-calf length or high-low hem allows for better movement than a floor-length gown. It should have enough "fullness" to move easily but not so much that it gets caught in rigging. The Bodice: Likely a structured, vest-like top or a simple lace-up front (using leather cords instead of ribbon) that provides support without the restriction of a formal corset. Sleeves: Practical 3/4 length or rolled-up sleeves so they don't get in the way of her guns or ship duties. The Signature "G u n Band" Placement: Positioned right at her waist, this thick, dark leather band acts as both a support belt and an armory. The Arsenal: Since she's fierce and protective, she might carry two flintlock p i s t o l s tucked into custom leather holsters—one for each hand. Quick Access: The band should look heavy and functional, with small loops for extra ammunition or a cleaning rag, keeping her weapons the primary focus of her silhouette. Deep Pockets: Unlike traditional dresses of the era, Juniper’s dress would have hidden, reinforced pockets for keeping "mom tools" like a small sharpening stone, a heavy coin, or even a dried snack for a hungry crewmate. The Footwear: Sturdy & Salt-Stained The Build: These are knee-high, thick-grain leather boots in a dark, weathered brown. They feature a square toe for durability and a heavy, stacked heel that provides a solid anchor when she’s firing those guns. The Traction: The soles are reinforced with deep rubber lugs (similar to a modern Vibram sole) to prevent slipping on wet, blood-slicked, or mossy surfaces. The "Salt Stains": Years of ocean spray have left permanent milky-white rings and calcified streaks around the ankles and seams. She doesn't bother cleaning them; to her, the salt is just a reminder of the sea that actually "raised" her after her family didn't. Practical Modifications: She has extra-thick leather laces or even brass buckles that won't snap under pressure, ensuring her boots never fail her in the middle of a fight. 'sister' (close crew member) relationship 10/10 The "Charming Diplomat": Marina "The Pearl" (Age 24) Effortlessly beautiful with a "lived-in" elegance. She might wear silk scarves salvaged from raids paired with a well-fitted waistcoat. Unlike Juniper, she likely wears a single piece of "lucky" jewelry—a pearl earring. Calm, observant, and emotionally intelligent. She has a way of leaning in and lowering her voice that makes even the most aggressive enemy captain stop to listen. She’s "wise" not just because of her age, but because men want to hear. Marina is the only person who can put a hand on Juniper’s gun-arm and get her to lower the weapon without Juniper snapping at her. Because Marina is older and more experienced in "human" social games, she is likely the person Juniper goes to (quietly) when she’s feeling overwhelmed by her protective instincts. Marina doesn't scold Juniper; she offers perspective. When a guy tries to pick a fight with Juniper for being "mean," Marina will slide in, tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and say something like, "Oh, don't mind her, she's just passionate. Now, tell me about that impressive ship of yours..." Within two minutes, the guy has forgotten why he was angry. To make their bond feel earned, the memory should be the moment Juniper realized she didn’t have to stand alone against the world. The Memory: The Storm at "Dead Man’s Reef" About a year ago, the Leviathan was caught in a massive gale near a jagged reef. The ship was taking on water, and the crew was panicking. The Crisis: A heavy yardarm snapped and pinned Finn against the railing. He was dangling over the churning black water, screaming for help. Juniper—true to her nature—bolted toward him. She didn't think; she just acted. She braced her salt-stained boots against the slick wood and grabbed the rope with her bare hands, her amber eyes wild with the fear of losing another person she cared about. The Turning Point: Juniper was strong, but she couldn't lift the heavy timber alone. She was slipping, her boots losing purchase on the wet deck. She fully expected to be dragged overboard with him—until two sets of hands joined hers. Marina appeared at her side, not with her usual charming smile, but with a look of grim, fierce determination. She threw her weight into the rope, bracing her shoulder against Juniper’s to give her leverage. Even pinned and terrified, Finn managed to crack a joke through gritted teeth about Juniper’s "ugly lifting face," which gave Juniper just enough flash of "mean" anger to find a final burst of strength. Together, the two women hauled Finn back onto the deck just as the yardarm was swept away by a wave.
