Niko

"But at this point, I’ve accepted my death"

-- Niko

A runaway human teenager/firefly hybrid that escaped his lonely and chaotic home with his one friend Rikka to find a new home to build a new life.  Though Rikka wishes to use the wish to save him from the curse that’s killing him, he wishes to guarantee the two of them will have a new, safe home far, far away from the mages that cursed him to spend his last days in peace with her.

Backstory

Niko grew up the third youngest of seven siblings in a cramped  and finnancally unstable home with irresponsible parents.  He always had a sense of curiosity and a love of quiet, but having to constantly take on some of his often absent parent’s responsibilities - especially once a couple of his older siblings noticed he’d comply when they asked him to do something for them.  On top of that, the general chaos of the house with five siblings, (sixth  born in his teens) and frequent shouting matches and physically violent arguments would keep him up at night.  He was unable to do anything in peace, his siblings exploited him as a scapegoat.  He was surrounded by people at home but was lonely.  Even if most kids hated it, he found school a refuge.  At least, until bullies realised he was an easy target.  He didn’t have any friends, until he noticed a classmate left her science textbook on her desk after class in middle school.  Long story short, this action led to him gaining the first real friend that was willing to listen to him and would want to do things with him. 

Overtime, their home lives started to get even worse.  For Niko, the birth of his youngest sibling caused tensions between his parents and siblings to reach a boiling point.  His parents would become outright controlling, not being able to get away with being absent anymore as he and his siblings would refuse to take on what should’ve always been their responsibility.  For Niko especially, he’d been spending more time with Rikka, his parents would threaten and someitmes act locking him in his room or the car or depriving him of food.  Thanks to his friendship, Niko began to understand what it felt like to actually have his kindness appreciated but he wasn’t sure what to do about his predicament until he came up with a drastic solution:  Running away with Rikka.  At first, despite being able to plan the logistics of it he was afraid of taking action  and hesitantily proposed the idea to Rikka.  Eventually her own escalating situation made her willing to agree to it, despite their mutual fears, they knew all they really wanted in life was some peace and somewhere they could truly call a home.

Niko made a plan, and they left in the middle of the night to a nearby town.  They conserved every penny and piece of food they had.  Having to steal at times.  Even with how difficult their new lives were, they still found a sense of hope that one day, they’d finally be able to just live somewhere they could consider a true home.  At some point, Rikka was approached by a woman whilst Niko was in a shop to buy her food.  He sensed something was off outside but ran out only to find that Rikka was gone.  She had gone with the woman who told her she could get her and Niko some food and supplies if she followed her which she agreed to out of desperation.  Turns out, the woman was using a disguise and was actually a part of a mysterious, deadly cult that used humans as an energy source for their machinery and as test subjects.  Targeting especially those they perceived helpless and whom not many would care about if they died.

Rikka was seconds away from becoming the latest victim of their signature curse;  One that makes a substance grow in your body, slowly killing you until your body is turned source for the cultist’s technology shortly after your death.  Niko intervened at the last second, using a Flashbang spell that caused the cult leader to drop his staff on the ground, landing pointed straight in his direction.  Causing him to get cursed instead of Rikka.  As Rikka broke free from being restrained by two other cultists, she grabbed Niko and ran away.  After that, they’d scour libraries and looked desperately for any cure/way to lift Niko’s curse after moving between several different towns to both avoid the cult and those who’d recognise them from their hometown.  Rikka’s desperation and fear of losing her only friend worsening overtime, especially given the possibility brought up by Niko the cult still may want their original target (he is right.)

After learning the prize for victory in the Cross Tournament is a wish, Niko, having grown accepting of his fate and fearful of the possibility the cult may still be chasing them, wishes Rikka to use it to save herself.  However despite their conflicting motives, he does hope (outside of fights) Crossroads could maybe be somewhere he can enjoy the semblance of peace he’s always craved while enjoying what he can still do or see there with the unknown amount of time he has left to make the most of.

Personality

Observant and curious, Niko tends to pick up details in his surroundings most don’t.  This extends to his ability to read people, with his perceptions of them usually being accurate.  He’s shy and soft spoken, so it's hard for him to express himself to most but he does try to speak up when his knowledge and input could be useful.  Niko has always had an interest in learning about different people,various places and subjects (though Rikka’s the only one he’s ever gotten close to and been able to share his interests and curiosity with) which despite his acceptance of his fate he hopes to use some of his remaining time to do while in Crossroads.

Despite his background and desire to make his wish come true,background, he actually has a lot of empathy for most and can understand the majority of motives.  He generally doesn’t like to fight or fight back, but will if needed.  In general, Niko is a good plannerplanner, support and strategist and feels like he shines best in thatthose role.roles.  Even in intense and uncertain situations and when he’s scared, he’ll manage to keep a cool enough head to think mostlysomewhat clearly.  

Around Rikka in casual settings,Rikka, Niko can be talkative and sometimes a little childlike.  She is someone he can work together with as an equal.  Since she is actually interested in him and his views, receptive to his kind acts and would give him the chance to explore new interests.  At least, until recently, where Niko has reverted to being more passive again.passive.  As Rikka’s desperation has grown toand savehis him,body has weakened, he’s gotten devastated and found it harder to have the sort of teamworkequal bond he once had with her as his body has started to weaken.had.