Afanasy Nikitin used to be an itinerant wrestler with a lovely wife Olga. Olga disappeared into the Russian tundra in questionable circumstances several years ago. Was she kidnapped by Tatars or Kaitaks? Did she go off on some spontaneous pilgrimage without telling anyone? Did she just run off with some rival wrestler??

Well, I'm not telling.

But that was the end of Fana's wrestling days. He just wandered the forests for a few months, calling her name and climbing trees for a better look around, until he befriended a bee colony and began his present career as a wax merchant/adventurer. Needless to say, he is not looking for love in another lady, and there is no hokey-pokey with Olga's sister Anna, who is nonetheless a stalwart companion and advisor.

The romantic angle is only complicated by his recurring dream vision of Parvati the Hindu love goddess. Of course he has no idea what this dream is, and has no knowledge of India or the lands where Parvati holds sway. He is only tormented by her languid lines and bewildered by the thought that this steamy tropical Valhalla may be where his beloved Olga has gone...

"John Cage Bubblegum"

(Theme Song to As Far As The Eye Can See)

C'est le plus beau
et c'est le plus triste
C'est le plus beau
Paysage du monde

It's the most beautiful
and it's the saddest
It's the most beautiful
Landscape in the world

- Stereolab

Coffee originated in the highlands of Ethiopia

where its beans were originally chewed

rather than infused

for their invigorating effects.

It spread into the Islamic world

during the 15th century

where it was embraced as an alternative

to alcohol

which was forbidden (officially, at least)

to Muslims.

Coffee came to be regarded

as the very antithesis of

alcoholic drinks

sobering rather than intoxicating

stimulating mental activity

and heightening perception

rather than dulling

the senses.

-The Economist

Obviously he has orangutan arms. they swing and there is a long pause before they make contact with the object, who may have long since forgotten that he was in danger. A regular knuckle-dragger.

In regards to the early importation of "coffee" from Islamic world... perhaps that kvas ain't really kvas after all, eh?? That would draw in some roubles, non?? Maybe Fana himself can get an angle here.

Hmmm?

Fana has a stout heart, which we see via x-ray periodically à la Popeye's biceps, what with pistons and Sherman tanks and whatnot that make it immediately clear that his mind is made up.

His renowned relationship with bees: a devoted horticulturist despite veneer of antipathy to his surroundings. Perhaps some romantic allusions to Queen Bee, who may provide him with salty dialogue (NOT imagined). In addition to breath vapors and random Specks hovering about his person, Fana sports a halo of loving bees.

Foma is a jaded mall rat who ran away from Dal-Tokyo because it did not provide his with enough stimulation. He is not very deep, but not simple either. Interested in meaningless relationships and sensory stimuli. Has continual monologue with anyone in earshot, or talks to himself like the pimply adolescent he is. Boogery woodland punk, sticks with Fana because of change of scenery, monsters and money. There is no sentimental bond whatsoever. Who likes Foma? Princess Maria thinks he's cute. Olga has lascivious thoughts about him, only because she has a crush on all of God's creatures. Alnus has no problem drinking with him, although that's not much of an accomplishment either. Haji-Girei and Scand in particular think he is a hopeless cad who should be fed to the wolves. Poisoned, shot and drownded as it were. Friends include Perkin Warbeck.

Brotherhood of all believers... plus um, others. Fana sneaks into Dmitri's hideout and plays tricks. Flaming leather pouch with wolf poop in it.

These cloaks should never leave the forest.

Thumb sized bully with giant moustache.

Balaban Pasha.

Whittling on a birch branch, Dmitri Shemyaka listens attentively to the report by his drone Mahmudek, whilst the twin brothers Kasim and Yakub look on menacingly. Their spy is infiltrating the court of Ivan III and will finally poison the pretender

Foma ignored everyone around him and continued crouching over the icy puddle, disturbing the water periodically with his thumbs, and daubing the manure onto his face. He appeared to be making the letter L, or a sideways smile, or some kind of imaginary scar.

ANNA: You don't know where that manure has been, Foma. That could irritate the skin, or

FOMA: This is going to make me a WARLORD, man. A WARLORD.

HAJI-GIREI: It will keep the flies away from the rest of us, which I look forward to.

F: You have no IDEA how many powerful people wear these markings, to distinguish themselves from zombies like YOU. HA! This is probably the best day of my whole life!!

AFANASY: Foma, do you mind getting some firewood together? I'm going to incinerate you.

F: What's that?

AFANASY: Nothing.