there is Sage, who is years older than they look, and whose tired eyes hide a century’s worth of knowledge of which she doesn’t know the origin. she smokes instead of eating and can patch anything up with a sewing kit and well-intended words.

then there is Snake, who delights in confusing people and has a cruel tongue like a viper, can lash out at any minute, because they hide a buried rage that would burn this hellish world to a crisp if they thought it would help. their heart whispers of war, dared dreams of a better world, and a martyred death. they’d fight in an instant if it was asked for.

the two are one and not quite the same.