First Person Survey for: Mercy O'Malley

Name Given at Birth: Mercy Hawkins O'Malley

Nicknames: Sissy, Hawk, Mi Amor

Hometown or where you were born: Mazatlan, Mexico

Current Residence: The Ship Vixen, staying in Canterbury at the Crossed Keys Inn

Age: 38

Class: "lowest of the low?" PIRATE!

What do you do, your main function in life/society: I have dedicated my life to recouping the estate of my mother Grace O'Malley, as ordered by His Majesty but not done by his representative; this entails befriending those in power and persuading the wealthy to contribute in good faith as in accordance with the King's command.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: I have on many occasions enjoyed a swim without my raimnents; in particular I enjoy the Olas Altas beach at Mazatlan after midnight. My father Captain Morgan's cave, located on a rock island off that beach, was the place of my conception and birth, and I return there every year to visit and trade.

Do you make fun of people: Without fail, but generally only in the company of my sisters and those "lowest of the low" who understand my humor. My sarcasm and delivery of such insults is such that most do not realize they have been mocked.

Favorite Color: The deep cobalt of the sky just as twilight turns to night; I am always reminded of my true love, the most beautiful man who ever lived, and the nights we spent on the beach together at Mazatlan.

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: Inasmuch as my behavior is an effort to uphold His Majesty the King's command, no; from the point of view of those who believe "gifts given under untoward trickery are not truly gifts but objects of the shrewdest sort of theft, being theft by deception", then perhaps. But it has never become an issue.

Closest friends/How did you meet: My two sisters, Skye and Hope are my closest friends and confidantes. I am also proud to call "friend" many of the Spanish and English pirates of the high seas, whose names I will not divulge here, but I will advise you to refrain from asking about me to them, lest they slit your throat without further question. We meet at various ports of call, and enjoy many late nights of ale and cards, and a number of other activities which --- unfortunately, for I love nothing more than to tell my tales of adventure to the willing ear -- it is probably in the best interest of the reader to remain unawares. Nevertheless, if you ask me when I've been enjoying some ale and am in the more "loose-lipped" mood of my gregarious and indiscreet personality, I will be happy to share some of those adventures with those who ask!! I am also very good friends with many of the villagers here in Canterbury, but my most beloved friend is my darling Hilario.

One Pillow or two: I have a pile of pillows, but am known often to sleep with only the sand and my lover's arm to cradle my head. I will admit the latter is my preference.

Pets: We have a talented cat aboard ship who is my constant companion when I am there. His name is Buck, and he is half wildcat, half farmcat.  Take heed: He bites!

Favorite Type of Music: The drum and pipe dance music of my sister Skye's homeland are of particular delight to mine ears; I also enjoy the music of my own home, with it's Caribbean and Spanish rhythms.

Hobbies/Pastimes: Card playing, flirting with dangerous men, and rendering bewildered the "fine ladies" of the realm with my outrageous behavior and shameless independence are particularly enjoyable while at Harvest Faire. However, my most precious moments are spent with my true love wandering the beach at Mazatlan.

Personal Hygiene: Although I am not particularly concerned about having "clean garments", I endeavor to avoid body odor and unkept hair, for I am a rather vain creature. I do hire the village laundress when we arrive in any port.

Favorite Food: Fresh shrimp and avocadoes with squeezed lime wrapped in Spanish tortillas. I am aware most readers will never have enjoyed this delicacy, as it is particular to my homeland. I highly recommend it.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: My mother Grace O'Malley is alive and I get along with her very well, although I do not see her as often as I would like.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My father, Sir John Hawkins, died of sickness aboard ship last year, God rest his soul. He was one of His Majesty's best loved privateers and explorers, and after much success in ventures on land, returned to sea with Sir Frances Drake to have another go at the Spanish treasure fleet. That was the last we heard of him. Sadly, as I am illegitimate and he left no heirs named, I can claim no right to his estate, nor can my mother.

Favorite place to relax: Mazatlan

Favorite Holy Day / Why: December 12, the day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron of the Americas. My mother celebrates this day with highest honors, as it is not only the day the Juan Diego, the simple man to whom Our Lady appeared in Mexico as he walked his daily 15 miles to mass, but also the day that my mother met my father, John Hawkins, when she was "visiting" Mexico. This day is the special day that my mother and I celebrate together.

Favorite Drink: The juice of mangoes laced with port wine.

What's your bedtime: After the games are over, or whenever I am both tired and not required anywhere.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: Boots.

Are you married or single: I am not yet legally married, but I am also not single. My beloved Hilario and I have made a lifetime commitment to one another, and one day will be united together in holy matrimony.

Do you have a family / who are they: My sisters Skye and Hope are my confidantes, heroes, and most beloved family. My mother Grace lives in Ireland now, both of her husbands having died. My half brothers Owen, Murrough, and Tibbot live in the British Isles, and my sister Margaret lives there as well. I have a large extended family of half-cousins and aunts and uncles. My father's family does not acknowledge me, but they are my family nonetheless. Sadly, I do not know who all of them are, but have occasionally come across cousins who claim to have known him well.

Favorite Entertainment: I enjoy playing at cards, watching men fight, and riding.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My mother oversaw our education in literacy; I am particularly fond of writing poetry and reading ancient philosophy.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: Swabbing the decks.

Favorite Sport: Target shooting is my most favorite sport, as it has a dual usefulness; not only is it wildly exciting, but useful in my work, as one can imagine. I am equally talented with longbow, crossbow, pistol, slingshot, or blade, however, I practice only in privacy and will refuse any invitation to compete with others.

Most Humiliating Moment: As a good swimmer, I pride myself in my ability to navigate the incoming waves on the tide. However, one day while Hilario and I were enjoying the surf, I was stung by a jelly-fish as I dove beneath a wave's crest, and lost control of the undertow. Hilario was obliged to rescue me (what a strong and brave swimmer is my love!) and then to empty his bladder onto the stung place to relieve the pain...I did not understand what he was doing and shouted at him when I saw the onlookers. When I realized he had humiliated himself to ensure my comfort, and I had humiliated him further with my tongue-lashing for doing so, I realized what a true hero he was. I have never felt so humiliated in my life.

Proudest Moment: The day I successfully navigated the Vixen through a tropical storm and not one soul was lost. Skye was quite ill and not able to captain the ship during that week, and although it was my first attempt to take command, all the crew respected and followed my direction. Skye was so impressed that she has allowed me to captain the ship several times since then, and I am first in command during storms.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: That would be my beloved Hilario.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: I no longer look, having found the man of all fantasy and dreams: he is of perfect height (requiring me to stand on tiptoe to hug his neck), perfectly muscular, brown of skin and gloss black of hair, has a beautiful smile with lovely white teeth framed in deep dimples, a rich and intoxicating natural fragrance, a swarthy voice, sparkling dark eyes, and a kiss that causes my skin to tingle and my heart to pound. But perhaps the greatest gift he has to offer is his ability to make me laugh.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" My sister while we are away, my mother while in her presence, and my lord Hilario above all.

Favorite Sport to watch: joust 

Do you remember your first kiss: I do indeed! I was a mere 13 years old, and had been taken to the place of my birth. I was allowed to go for a walk on the beach, and there saw a beautiful boy who was standing alone watching the sunset. He was perhaps 14 years of age, but smiled as I approached. I stopped to talk to him, and he told me that to receive a kiss at sunset meant that one's night would pass safely and without troubling dreams. I believed him, being only a child, and received his kiss gratefully. To this day, I try not to pass into slumber without having received a kiss at sunset, and always I see his face. He was Hilario, the love of my life, and it was that day that we fell most desperately in love. Even though at times I am not with him at sunset (and must receive the kiss from one of my sisters), it is nevertheless his kiss I feel and his face I imagine each evening.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: Unfortunately, my childhood friends are scattered around the world. I keep Hilario as my own into eternity, however, and we are in contact as often as possible.

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: Mazatlan, on the beach at Olas Altas.

Have you ever been overseas: Many a time, indeed.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: Wood on board ship, stone at the Inn and at mother's.

What is your bed made of: a hammock on board ship; feathers at the Inn and mother's

How many people sleep in your bed: Only myself unless Hilario is with me.

1. I am fluent in Spanish and English.

2. I am fluent in pistol, sword, longbow, crossbow, slingshot, and dagger.

3. I am fluent aboard ship, astride a horse, and in water.

4. I am in no way ashamed of my heritage or parentage.

5. Although it is obvious that I am a coquette and seek out the company of men, I am not available for love affairs, as I have long since found the love of my life. I play with men merely to win favors from them.

6. I begrudge no person their choices in life. I insist that people respect mine as well.

7. I have not been to Mass in many years, but pray each day.

8. I strive to be patient, kind, gentle, and wise; however, I do not tolerate meanness or laziness.

9. I have a quick wit.

10. I do not really care a fig about material things; I live for adventure, knowledge of the world, and above all, love.