“There’s a hoping in my heart that says I’d brave the dark.”
FULL NAME: Sage Ophelia Johansson.
TITLE: The Disillusioned.
OCCUPATION: Organic Farmer.
FACE CLAIM: Odette Annable.
Growing up just outside of Helena, Montana, Sage Johansson had one goal – to attend Dartmouth University and to create buildings with enduring design that would stand the test of time. As a young child, she played with Legos until her mother would tell her it was time for bed. During free reading at school, she’d read biographies about Frank Lloyd Wright or look at the latest architectural magazines. She’d always known what she wanted to do and that purpose and direction had guided most of her life from that point.
Adopted at the age of 2, Sage was raised solely by the woman she called “Mama,” though she’d always known that she was born to a single mother. Poppy Johansson, a 33-year-old divorced nurse, had seen the young junkie scared out of her wits at the free clinic where she worked and when the young woman asked her to adopt her child after falling victim to another overdose and rehab stay, there was no hesitation. Sage remembers little of her biological mother other than the occasional card and Christmas gift she’d send. She attended her funeral at the age of 10 where she discovered she had multiple biological siblings out there in the world, some in the system and some adopted like her, though she’s not yet met them.
Sage has never known her father, but from what she could gather he didn’t know about her either. He’d never been told about her and Sage couldn’t exactly blame him for that, though she wasn’t going to go looking for him anytime soon either. She had plenty of family, though. Her mother’s parents were very involved in her life and she saw her biological grandparents very often. Her life wasn’t perfect or idyllic, but it was hers. And she treasured it.
With a goal of an Ivy in her eyes, Sage excelled in school and though her mother wanted her to become a nurse, her first love was architecture. She studied hard in high school, was on the varsity field hockey team, and ended up getting into Dartmouth on a field hockey scholarship, majoring in Studio Art with a concentration in Architecture. Upon graduation, Sage began interning in New York City at a semi-prestigious architectural firm before being offered an associate position.
But after four years of working for the same firm and nothing to show for it except long hours, tired eyes, and lecherous old men trying to ask for favors, Sage had had enough. She was sick of the fakes, sick of the quid-pro-quo culture, and sick of living in a city where she never saw the color green. She wanted to get back to the earth, back to her roots. She left New York without so much as a second glance. During college, her biological mother’s parents had died and had left her enough money to buy a house and start life on her own. Utilizing the savings fund, Sage bought 20 acres of land with a dilapidated farmhouse on an island off the coast of Seattle and spent months learning organic farming. It wasn’t always easy, but the payoff was worth it.
Three years later, Sage has a productive farm complete with vegetables, chickens, a couple of sheep, and two part-time employees. She’s still working on restoring the farmhouse in her spare time, though she’ll admit she’s well out of her league there. In the next year, she’s planning to open a farm store in the Seattle area. Currently, Sage sells her produce at Pike Place Market five days a week and has gotten a contentment out of life that she had never expected. Her life is simple, but she has a few close friends, and though her dates are mainly always first dates, she isn’t complaining.
Sage is generally a very kind individual, though she can make snap judgments that affect her relationships with others. She’s incredibly idealistic, which led to her leaving New York when it wasn’t what she’d wanted. However, while Sage is kind, she’s not always the friendliest. She can be, of course, but sometimes she prefers to give a smile and a nod instead of simply introducing herself to strangers. This has changed since she has moved to Seattle. Back at Dartmouth, Sage was the life of the party. She’d been a successful athlete in high school and that transferred to college with her. This had continued when she got to New York and only changed when she realized that her life wasn’t what she wanted it to be. Sage has always found it hard to make real, true friends. The kind that know her almost as well as she knows herself. She has a couple in Seattle, a handful from college, and a very good friend back home in Montana. Sage also speaks her mind, regardless of whether or not it’s warranted.
+Â idealistic, kind, tenacious, patient.
- outspoken, judgmental, withdrawn [at times], distrustful.
When she was younger, Sage was a bit of a tomboy. She enjoyed jeans, flannel, and cowboy boots. When she was in high school and college, she went with a slightly sexier vibe. While in New York, Sage preferred pencil skirts and sheath dresses. Now, however, she generally wears jeans and flannel while at home, though she’ll dress up when she goes out on a date or with friends in the city. Makeup is worn rarely and she generally prefers a natural look while at the farmer’s market. Sage is very clean, however, making sure to shower each day. Her one indulgence is her pedicure, because it’s the only part of her that the farm doesn’t drive crazy.
Sage has had three boyfriends in her entire life. One was in middle school so she wouldn’t count him if he weren’t her first kiss. The second one, John, was her high school boyfriend but she left him behind when she followed her dreams. The final one, Bradley, was in New York and lasted about two years until she found out he had a wife.
Sage would like to find her biological siblings if only because she craves the emotional connection she assumes would come. She’s sent her DNA off to a few different services, but has found no matches yet. She doesn’t let it deter her.
When she was 12, Sage asked who her father was. Her mother didn’t know and Sage heard her crying in her room later. She never asked again. To this day, Sage still speaks with her mother once a day even if it’s short.
Sage grew up Roman Catholic but has since lapsed. She believes in God, but currently lacks the faith to live it out each day. She generally hides this from her mother.
Sage has an unhealthy love for the Anne of Green Gables movies. She will binge watch them multiple times per year, contemplating if such a wonder as Gilbert Blythe exists.
