Caina vs Nadia

I had a reader wonder if the character of Nadia is basically the character of Caina set in a different environment.

Well, a writer’s own interpretation of his work is always suspect. Fiction is, after all, subjective.

But I’ve always written Caina and Nadia as very distinct personalities. I do think Caina and Nadia have some similarities but many differences, especially in temperament.

DIFFERENCES

-Caina is an introvert, but Nadia is a loner. Caina makes friends and gains loyalty way more easily than Nadia does. Nadia can be charming when she sets her mind to it, but only when she sees a good reason for it. Related to that, Caina’s default personality is more quiet and reserved, while Nadia is more prickly and belligerent.

-Caina is more cerebral than Nadia. Nadia isn’t stupid, but she has no interest in anything abstract, and her intelligence is more practical. Additionally, Nadia’s experience with Nicholas Connor has left her with an active suspicion of intellectuals. Caina would read for recreation. Nadia would only read if she needed to know something (like research for a job) or Russell nagged her to do it.

-Caina is physically stronger than Nadia and has way more experience with hand-to-hand violence. In an unarmed fight without weapons or magic, Caina would win easily.

-Caina is several inches taller. This would really annoy Nadia.

-Both are ruthless when necessary, but Nadia is willing to cut loose with less provocation than Caina is.

-Nadia has more of a temper.

-Nadia loves magic and likes being a wizard. Caina hates the arcane sciences (her world’s equivalent of magic) and it took her several years to come around to the idea, however grudgingly, that not all sorcerers were a blight on mankind who should be exterminated.

-Caina is better at holding grudges and acting on them much later when an opportunity presents itself. Nadia can be vengeful, but Caina is cold vengeful, which is more dangerous.

-Caina is a better actress than Nadia, and more skilled with non-magical disguises. Related to that, while Nadia is a good liar, Caina is a superb one. Like, Caina spent five GHOST EXILE books successfully masquerading as a male thief named Ciaran, and Nadia wouldn’t have been able to pull that off.

-Caina’s background (and many of her experiences) are more aristocratic, while Nadia’s isn’t. Like, Caina spent a lot of time spying on the elite of the Empire, and Nadia regularly disguised herself as a waitress and a janitor to rob banks for Morvilind. Basically, Caina’s background is aristocratic Nighmarian, and Nadia’s is middle-class American, and that colors both their outlooks.

-Caina is sad she can’t have children. Nadia is more or less indifferent to the idea and doesn’t think about it all that often.

-Caina is prone to blaming herself for things beyond her control, and has had problems with a death wish. Nadia doesn’t really have that problem, and has never had a death wish – she’s more about making the other guy die.

SIMILARITIES

-Very good at violence in general.

-Highly paranoid. An occupational hazard.

-Extremely loyal, once loyalty has been given.

-Both get really angry with violence directed towards children, though for very different reasons.

-Don’t threaten someone Caina and Nadia like. Won’t end well (see GHOST IN THE STORM and CLOAK GAMES: BLOOD CAST).

-JM