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"Curiosity, earnest research to learn the hidden laws of nature, gladness akin to rapture, as they were unfolded to me, are among the earliest sensations I can remember." -- Mary Shelly, "Frankenstein"
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Vivica R. Talbot is the only child of Julian U. Talbot and Rowenna A. Talbot. Both her parents were brilliant Mensch of pure blood- or at least, so everyone thought before Vivica was born, and some nasty recessive genes gave her ears an unmistakably Koshka-esqe shape. Ever since she was born, Vivica has struggled with asthma and a sickly immune system, both traits blamed on the unlikely combination of recessives that made her a technical mixed breed.
Growing up in a small town near Oswego, she spent much of her younger life going from one bout of illness to another, resulting in her gaining little socialization outside of her own family. Despite this, Vivica is a well-mannered and respectful young lady, who always expects her elders to know best and constantly challenges herself to new intellectual pursuits. Although her grasp on morals may be a little too malleable to be respectable (particularly in regards to Koshka, who she has inherited a very Mensch attitude toward despite her own appearance), she had a strong sense of personal integrity.
A great deal of her life has been spent following the same learning materials as her parents, and she has thusly grown to understand a great deal of biology and medical theory. She has come to have a love of science, and often talks about the exciting life that her parents led before they were arrested, presumably for some research practices that were beyond the palate of civilized society.
After her parents were jailed, Vivica had packed her bags and took the Clockwork Book with the intent of traveling to live with an uncle in Dunwich. The trip was ended unexpectedly early by a pirate raid, however- and while the real doctor aboard had crawled among the engine to hide, Vivica, who had been permitted to study his notes, was caught by surprise in the room with all the medical gear. As a result, she has taken unwilling residence aboard the Æsahættr, where her medical knowledge is being put to use as the ship's Surgeon.
