Aaaand forgot to post yesterday again. Sorry. Zmey can't talk, which is one of the reasons he took Anka as an apprentice and he is teaching her sign language.
(It's not an easy feat. He was hoping she could read to help, but let's say it's not the case either)
He is not medically mute, he could make sound if he need to.
It's just it's highly not recommended for him to open his mouth, thank to a little magical mishap when he met Baba Yaga for the first time.
She still maintain it was well earned.
So does he.
(Little note: He is saying "flame" in french sign language)
(Look, I couldn't find reference for russian sign language, and I'm not sure there was a sign language in their russian themed mythical medieval fantastical yolo universe)
I keep coming back to this Vice headline I saw and took a screenshot of this time last week, which inspired the title of this piece. Seems like a relevant metaphor to me (and others I know) for so many reasons right now! Thankfully nothing too traumatic in my case...
