(self-reflections) 10. What does your muse think of their own gender? (for your choice)
āI might be many things: a bruiser, an 'venturer, a big party animal... but besides and maybe even 'fore all oā that, Iām a woman.ā
(Haldswys considers herself a woman, and it bears some significance to her. It doesnāt detract from or add anything to her work, but it plays a part in how she acts, dresses and so forth. Transitioning felt like getting pieces of a puzzle fit together, and it brought her comfort and peace of mind.)
āOnce, someone called meĀ āsirā, and it felt puzzling and empowering at the same time. Another time I found myself yearning for those days when Iād watch the dawn on the Sagolii sands with my skirt fluttering the breeze. Am I a man? No, Iām not... butĀ āwomanā sits on my tongue just as ill.ā
(Brendaās gender identity is a bit fluid, and usually they prefer to be referred asĀ āadventurerā rather than any gendered moniker. Sometimes the uncertainty makes them feel almost guilty for doing or liking things that are traditionally associated with one gender or the other, but they try not dwell on it too much or especially show it.)
(Cain doesnāt feel insulted if someone says that he looks like a girl (why should he? He doesnāt see women as lesser in any way), but the occasional comments have strengthened the feeling of him not 100% being in the manly end of the gender spectrum. As a result, he seldom uses words likeĀ āguyā orĀ āmanā when talking about himself.)Ā