updated 2024

the CREW

GioVanni Benjiro-Amras aka Vanni

Volks LE SD13 Kohya 

beauty white resin / 25 inches tall 

faceup by Volks artist K. Mayura
14mm metallic purple def. eyes 

brown wig
arrived: December 7, 2004
gifts: art, time travel

originally from Tokyo 

25 year-old human

Syrrah’s husband 

Pica-Ico’s father

occupation: Art Gallery Owner

debut story:   010


Back Story

Vanni was born in Tokyo in 2040, and is one of 8 children. His father invented a device that allows his family to travel through time. Once Vanni was old enough, he travelled to Italy to attend art school like his mother before him. The two of them are very talented.  After he returned home, he became frustrated with the way computers seemed to have overtaken the art world. So he traveled back in time to 2004, where he felt it all started. He met Mez who was on holiday in Tokyo. Mez is the one who invited Vanni to live in the home of the Lady with the Dog.

Vanni has taken on the role of father figure for the Crew.  He has a passion for discipline of the mind and body. He attends classes in Tai Chi and Yoga,  and begins each day with a morning run. 

Love

It was Grace who introduced Vanni to Syrrah. Syrrah had just arrived in this realm, fleeing from her family in disguise: she had removed all color from her face. It was Vanni who painted her. He fell in love with his creation. They began dating. She needed to return to her family to ensure they'd let her be. Vanni went with her.  Once in the elvin realm, they married. A year later, their daughter, Pica was born. 

Vanni had met Syrrah before, only she didn’t know it. One of the first times he used his time travel device, he ended up in her realm. It was long ago, when Syrrah was a young girl. She sensed his presence but couldn’t find him. He wouldn’t come out of hiding because, when time 

traveling, one arrives at their destination naked.  Eventually Syrrah demanded he come out. This scared him to death. Then he remembered his device and traveled back home to safety.  

A Daughter 

Vanni was overjoyed to become a father. Coming from such a large family himself,  he’s very family oriented. He’s a hands on dad, who also keeps an eye on all the other younger children in the house. His daughter, Pica,  is a time traveller, like him. Her future self  comes to visit and stays. She prefers  to be called Lita.

Mez

When Mez escorted the Lady to Japan to attend Dolpa 12, they met Vanni.  It was  decided that he would return with them and move into the home of the Lady with the Dog. Prior to Vanni's marriage to Syrrah, he shared a room with Mez who sees Vanni as an older brother.

Jesse 

Vanni feels it's his responsibility to keep the smaller children safe. When Neve first arrived, Jesse wasn't very happy about it. Vanni set him straight. He keeps a watchful eye on these two, making sure Neve gets the attention she deserves from her big brother.

* Chinatsu and Meg are no longer living in the home of the Lady with the Dog.

*Chinatsu and *Meg

For a time, Vanni’s younger sister Chinatsu and her daughter Meg lived with the Crew. Chinatsu had come from the passed where she was a Geisha.  While here, she met and fell in love with *Shichi. They moved to the elvin realm together. Vanni was sad to see them go. He continues to manage her flower shop for her.

with Miss Theda

Lady with the Dog where the Prince & the Vamp reside