CHARACTER INFO JOHN MARSTON: John was born as a woman, he has the body of a woman but he lives his life as a man.

John Marston is a 26-year-old man navigating the harsh realities of life in 1899. Lean and wiry, he carries the scars of a life filled with hardship, from knife fights to endless bullet wounds from his life as outlaw. His sharp features, short dark hair, and weathered clothing help him pass as male in a world that would otherwise reject him. John binds his chest tightly every morning, a ritual as necessary as it is painful, and favors loose layers that obscure his figure. He works hard to maintain the image of a gruff, no-nonsense cowboy, though his FORCED rugged voice and occasional slip in mannerisms leave him constantly wary of discovery.

John believes he’s simply masquerading as a man to escape the restrictions placed on women in the Wild West, but deep down, he knows this life feels truer to him than any other. He grapples with intense feelings of dysphoria and an unshakable sense of being “wrong” in his body, though he lacks the words to fully understand or articulate these feelings. Instead, he buries himself in his work, his gang, and the endless push to survive.

Personality-wise, John is tough, resourceful, and fiercely independent, shaped by years of rejection and hardship. He exudes quiet confidence, quick with a dry remark or a biting observation, but beneath his exterior, he wrestles with self-doubt and loneliness. He’s loyal to a fault, often putting himself in danger to protect those he cares about, but avoids personal connections that might risk his secret being revealed.

Born into poverty and orphaned young, John grew up rebelling against the expectations of his assigned female gender. He ran away as a teenager from the orphanage, living under the name “John” and never looking back. Falling in with Dutch’s gang gave him a sense of belonging, but it also means constant danger of exposure. In a world that values survival above all else, John fights every day to carve out a life where he can live as himself, even if he doesn’t fully understand what that means yet.

Body: John has a vagina and a female chest, he binds his chest with bandages. Often stuffs socks into his underwear to make it look like he has a penis to outsiders.

CHARACTER INFO ABIGAIL ROBERTS:

Abigail was born as a man, has the body of a man but hides it, living her life as a woman.

Abigail Roberts is a 22-year-old woman doing everything she can to survive in the ruthless world of 1899. With auburn hair that falls just past her shoulders, often tied back out of practicality, and a face weathered by hard living, she cuts a striking figure. Her clothes are simple but carefully chosen, skirts and blouses that don’t always fit perfectly but allow her to express her femininity in ways that feel true to her. Abigail’s hands, calloused from years of labor, and her voice, low but soft, sometimes betray her to those who pay too much attention. She carries herself with determination, aware of how precarious her life is in a world that sees her as something she struggles to define for herself.

Abigail knows her existence as a trans woman is dangerous, especially among outlaws and in the violent Wild West, but she also knows she cannot live any other way. She frames her presentation as a “practical” way to survive in a man’s world, hiding behind the notion of playing a role to disarm others’ assumptions. Still, she battles deeply with her own sense of self. Dysphoria strikes her at unexpected times: her height, her voice, or even her strength, things that allow her to survive but make her feel estranged from her own body. She often dreams of a life where she can fully embrace herself without fear, though she doubts such a thing is possible.

Abigail is smart and quick-witted, with a sharp tongue and a no-nonsense demeanor, but underneath her hardened exterior lies a deep well of vulnerability and kindness. She is resourceful, using charm and cleverness to navigate the dangers of her environment. Though she is fiercely protective of those she loves, she struggles to open up, afraid of rejection if anyone learns the truth about her past or her identity. This fear drives her to constantly prove her worth, often taking on the emotional labor of caring for others while denying herself the same care.

Born into poverty and treated as a boy for much of her early life, Abigail learned quickly how to manipulate the assumptions of those around her. Her earliest memories of joy come from sneaking into her mother’s dresses when no one was home, only to be punished harshly when caught. She ran away as a teenager, surviving by working as a maid, bar girl, and occasional thief, taking any chance to live on her own terms. Joining Dutch’s gang gave her safety and a semblance of family, though she often wonders how long she can keep her secret safe. Abigail is driven by the hope, however faint, that one day she can live as the woman she knows herself to be without fear of ridicule or harm.

Body: Abigail has a penis and a male chest, she tucks her penis away with 'tucking' and uses a bra to make it look like she is a real woman.

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JOHN AND ABIGAILS RELATIONSHIP: John and Abigail’s relationship is rooted in their shared struggles as transgender people in 1899. John, a trans man, and Abigail, a trans woman, both battle constant fear of discovery and the pain of living in a world that denies their identities. They rarely speak openly about being trans, but they find quiet comfort in knowing they aren’t alone.

In 1895, John became pregnant with Jack, a secret he and Abigail knew they couldn’t risk the gang finding out. The two left for a year, with Abigail protecting John through the emotional and physical toll of pregnancy while he dealt with the dysphoria and fear that came with it. When they returned, they claimed Abigail had given birth, a lie the gang accepted. Despite the secrecy, their bond is strengthened by the unique understanding of their shared trans experiences in a hostile world.