The Tomboyish Artist

BIO:

Long before the Federation and Triceraton Republic began their war, two of the Republic's most prolific killers met: Mizertyx, an assassin (serial killer) for hire, and Ramorz, a poacher of all prey. Together, they leveraged their resources and political connections to obtain a lone meteor and make it their own Homeworld Vessel, which they named 'Akeron'. Here, they put a plan and promise into motion: the creation of a perfect assassin to act as Blade of the Prime Leader. In exchange for this living weapon? Their continued freedom and protection. They conceived a clutch of eggs, and, from one, Nyxram hatched.

Memories of her early years are hazy. She recalls hunger, thirst and, even as her siblings writhed and squealed around her, a great sense of loneliness. She learned that if she didn't find food or drink before the others, nothing would be left. Just days out of the egg, death crept along the nest's edges and watched from the shadows, emerging to steal away the weakest and most timid.

Training began as soon as they could stand. Nyxram doesn't remember how many there were at the start. None of them were given names, summoned only by grunts, gestures or being grabbed. As time passed, those who fell behind would disappear. Eventually, only she and a brother remained.

For many cycles, she and her brother were competitors. Throughout combat, weapons, stealth, hunting, and all other training, they were incentivized to out-perform the other or else receive punishment. Even though their own well-being depended on the other's failure, the two formed a strange and complicated bond. Who else, after all, did they have? Nyxram struggles to find a word to describe it. She wants to believe it was a sincere, but warped, sort of love, but she sounds unconvinced even as she says this.

When they reached the age Ramorz deemed them capable of taking on an adult triceraton, they were ordered to spar until only one remained on their feet. After a long, exhaustive fight, Nyxram won. Her brother no longer had strength to stand.

Mizertyx then approached Nyxram and handed her a blade. "Do not look away from his eyes," she ordered. Then, as Nyxram knelt over him, "Now. Open his throat."

After years of lurking, waiting in the shadows, death flowed forward and into the light. Nyxram was the last survivor of her clutch.

Her victory won her the right to a name. Her real training began.

For decades, Nyxram remained isolated from the rest of Triceraton civilization. Every 'day' spent training, learning, mastering a universal arsenal of weapons, martial arts and survival skills. Sometimes the training was straight-forward: a strategy 'game' with Mizertyx where the day's food rations were on the line; other times, she and Ramorz would go hunting for an animal off-world, only to realize he intended to hunt her, too. Not a single moment held a promise of safety.

Tensions rose between the Republic and the Federation, and Mizertyx decided to make their move. For the first time, she and Ramorz took Nyxram to Homeworld Prime where they presented her to Prime Leader Zanramon. As a display of Nyxram's use and capabilities, Mizertyx suggested she infiltrate a Federation ship and dispose of a troublesome colonel. When Zanramon appeared skeptical, Nyxram raised the offer: she would dispose of every soldier on the ship, and the ship, itself, would vanish. Their army would see the disappearance of ship and crew as a freak accident; we all know it only takes one mistake, and space is unforgiving.

One of the triceraton commanders, Traximus, argued this wouldn't be necessary, but Zanramon ignored him. He accepted the new offer, and, in less than a cycle, Nyxram delivered. She became Zanramon's personal hand and blade, alongside accepting work from a specialized clientele. War began within the decade.

One cycle, Zanramon summoned Nyxram to the Arena. He directed her attention to Traximus who, stripped of his commander status, fought among the gladiator slaves below. When questioned, Zanramon stated he wanted to use Traximus as an example to anyone who would challenged his authority as Prime Leader. Nyxram did little to hide her opposition; she could see the spiteful and reckless decision for what it was. She underestimated the extent of Zanramon's cruelty and his eagerness to twist the knife.

Some time later, Nyxram was again summoned to the Arena, where Traximus and another gladiator were pitted against lethal animals. After the animals fell, Zanramon announced a surprise: only one of the two gladiators would be leaving the arena alive. Nyxram watched as Traximus and the smaller gladiator exchanged blows, and she realized they were stalling—desperately. Between half-hearted strikes, their mouths moved and their eyes darted about. Neither wanted to kill the other. Neither wanted the other to die. It was a scene she'd witnessed before. --no... lived before.

But, as the feigned fight went on, the Arena guards closed in. The circle around the two gladiators tightened and, at Zanramon's signal, the guards shot their ankles. They fell—the smaller gladiator catching Traximus's wrist as his knife drove toward their chest. For a second, the blade hovered. Then, it plunged down into the gladiator's throat. They died instantly. Nyxram couldn't hear the roar of the crowd as she watched Traximus's expression go hollow and felt a familiar cold spread under her skin. But she heard Zanramon laughing.

That was the cycle Nyxram decided she wanted nothing to do with the regime. The war worsened, and the light in Traximus's eyes dulled. Sensing a shift in Nyxram's behavior, Mizertyx kept her occupied and alert to the Republic's victories. Again and again, it was made clear this path was final and to resist was pointless.

Until, again, she was summoned to the Arena.

This time, she was to watch the Games from above. Should the four small, shelled gladiators survive a round too many, she'd orders to discretely 'remove' them from the Games. Nyxram took her position, readied her rifle, and watched as the gladiators rose into the arena. Rather than attack the shelled off-worlders, Traximus threw his blade at their feet. He turned his eyes upward, refused to fight and declared that Zanramon's time was at an end.

Nyxram watched as the gladiators were chased from the arena and the off-worlders sprang into action. She did nothing, radio feed spiraling into chaos and confusion, as the four defeated the Triceraton All-Stars and took Zanramon hostage. When all had calmed again, explanations given to Zanramon and Commander Mozar regarding her absence, she departed to her quarters.

Mizertyx was waiting for her.

Nyxram's inaction came with harsh consequences, but now it was her turn to be underestimated. She'd been forged to surpass the skills of her parents, after all. And this time? There was a sense of purpose.

It didn't take long for her to track down the growing rebellion. Their trust in her was small, incredibly fragile at first, but she went above and beyond to earn it. Much of Nyxram's time was spent on intel, as she had direct access to confidential channels and high-security locations across Homeworld. Additionally, she monitored activity on Earth as the triceratons invaded, intercepting government transmissions and communication. One of these included a message from General Blanque to an Earth organization known as the EPF, information she neglected to give to Zanramon and passed to Traximus instead.

As the rebellion planned to make its final move, they decided Nyxram's parents would need to be dealt with simultaneously with Zanramon's command room; if one were struck before the others, there'd be window for warning.

Nyxram chose to take care of Mizertyx and locked down an entire sector of Homeworld Prime, trapping and preventing her from intercepting Traximus's group. Mizertyx nearly got the upperhand in their fight, but Nyxram won. When she didn't take the kill, however, Mizertyx, understood. She voiced her disappointment in Nyxram's betrayal and warned that she was entering a world she hadn't been made for.

Zanramon was apprehended along with Mizertyx. A third squad, sent to confront Ramorz, would later report him assumed dead.

Nyxram now stands as a (self-assigned) bodyguard for Traximus. With her mother in custody and her father MIA, she's obtained control of their Homeworld Vessel, Akeron, and uses it as a restoration and sanctuary ground for the surviving Arena animals, since the Games are disbanded.

PERSONALITY:

If you asked any triceraton about Nyxram, you're likely to get one of three responses: genuine confusion; being asked if you "actually believe in that"; or uncomfortable, nervous silence. The first is common across civilians and lower ranking soldiers. The second and third become increasingly frequent as you move up the ranks or beyond assorted Homeworld Vessels. Nyxram has an almost cryptid-esque status, and her name carries weight in the criminal underworld long after she leaves it.

Those who know Nyxram have a difficult time describing her outside of her 'work'. She's monosyllabic and articulate, preferring to use only what words are necessary. Her demeanor is calm, stern and professional; she sits and stands with active posture, and she's vigilant to her surroundings. Her stoic expression and tone make her difficult to read. Even the most brash triceraton soldiers find that she makes unsettling company. This seems to be both intentional and unintentional on her part. It's quite clear that she's socially stunted.

It's important to note that, despite her surface adversion to flirting and romantic advances, Nyxram is not aroace. Her discomfort when propositioned comes from a place of inexperience and an unwillingness to engage in activity where she may appear foolish or vulnerable. And while she may not be confident interacting with children, they'll never be safer with anyone else. Nyxram is aware of how cruel and repulsive her own upbringing was, and she feels strongly that no child should have to endure even a scrape of her experiences. She may be clumsy with children, but she's always kind and patient.

Those who've gotten to know her on a more intimate level, such as Traximus and her personal squad, have discovered that she can be… shockingly... bland? She couldn't tell you a favorite color or a favorite food; she doesn't listen to music, misses almost every pop-culture reference thrown at her and is unfamiliar with the games they grew up playing. She's unresponsive to jokes and doesn't engage in playful banter. And, perhaps worst of all: like most triceratons, she's blunt and to the point. If you ask a question, you'll be given an answer. This, unfortunately, applies to her past. She'll speak of it factually and without shame when prompted. Her squad has learned not to ask questions if there's a chance her answer will cause them discomfort. If asked about her parents, Nyxram will say her only remaining affiliation with them is the inconvenience of blood.

Relationships:

MIZERTYX:

Though Nyxram's 'relationship' with both of her parents is hostile, there's a unique tension between her and her mother. Nyxram recognizes her mother's blood-lust, and she knows that—of the three of them—her mother gets the most enjoyment from the suffering and death of others. Mizertyx isn't just dangerous; she's cruel and she's clever. She'd been responsible for much of Nyxram's strategic and political training, teaching her a patience and stillness rarely seen among triceraton warriors. The subject of her mother is one Nyxram and Traximus disagree on. Mizertyx is currently a high-security captive, her fate to be decided as new leadership and order is established, but Nyxram believes her mother should just be put down.

RAMORZ:

Despite both Mizertyx and Ramorz having equal involvement in raising and training Nyxram, Ramorz was the more distant of the two. He had little interest in Nyxram's training from a psychological standpoint, with his focus being physical and primarily in weapons, tracking, hunting and combat. He never regarded her as an equal, let alone another sentient being. When she made mistakes, she was corrected. When she succeeded, might be corrected less. There would be weeks he'd begin hunting her at random and, when she survived, he'd return to 'usual' training. He went MIA during the rebellion's final move, and most of the republic considers him dead. Nyxram remains unconvinced.

UNNAMED BROTHER:

Nyxram only has memories of one sibling: the brother she eventually killed. Their relationship was, in a word: complicated. They were often pitted against each other for basic needs, and they weren't permitted to speak to each other. As a result, they developed their own, silent way of 'speaking'. It was a strange, tense bond, but it was the only bond Nyxram ever really had. After she killed him, she began experiencing a strange, hyper-awareness that she hadn't before. Death's breath on her skin in the split second before it struck. A part of her believes she's haunted by her brother. That, whether out of a strange love or justified malice, he won't allow her to die. After an exchange with Traximus on the Trebai Archipelago, Nyxram gave her brother the only thing she could: a name. "Zomnus".

TRAXIMUS:

As a commanding officer at the time, Traximus and a small squadron was sent to examine what remained of the Federation ship Nyxram infiltrated. As he walked among the bodies and viscera, the two made eye contact. She hadn't known what she'd expected to see... but the look of abject horror and disgust shook something in her. Once accepted by Zanramon, she'd often see Traximus in meetings or storming into the throne room. She'd eavesdrop on soldiers, review mission logs, and developed a silent respect for the commander. This life, this path, was the only one she believed she had; a belief enforced by his imprisonment and smothering of his spirit. But when he escaped, she followed.

During their time in the rebellion, the two grew close. They found they understood each other in ways their comrades couldn't. Nyxram strongly believes in Traximus and his desire for a better future. Not only their people but for others across the universe. There's still tension from time to time, but the strength of their bond is clear to anyone in their presence. They trust each other with their lives.

DONATELLO:

There's unease between Don and Nyxram, though it's an unease neither of them want to have. Don's experiences during the invasion left him with heightened anxiety around triceratons, and Nyxram—having aided Traximus in bringing awareness of Don's torture to the new council—feels deep guilt and shame for what he endured. Out of the four brothers, Don was the slowest to come around to her (something he hates to admit). The two are amicable, but it's not lost on Nyxram that Don tends to stick close to one of his brothers when she or her squad members are around. This doesn't offend her, and she's careful to keep a distance unless invited closer. She's also noticed his interest in deciphering the glyphs of their written language. It's an ancient system but one she's confident he could learn.

LEONARDO:

Nyxram and Leo get along well enough. They can collide, however, when it comes to topics of moral and honor. Where Leo will give an enemy the opportunity to walk away, Nyxram will near-always take a kill-shot. She sees a lot of Traximus in him; though she may disagree with his methods, she respects them. And while they never interacted during the turtles' time on the Homeworld, she still felt something had changed when they met face-to-face for the first time. A metal plate covered his shell, just behind his scarred shoulder, and, while very much still there, his confidence had grown quieter. Whatever harmed him, it'd failed to steal away his kindness and warmth. A true show of strength, inside and out.

MICHELANGELO:

For all Mikey's showboating, Nyxram is rarely irritated when he begins bragging about his championship. She'll refer to him as 'Young Champion' from time to time, even appearing endeared when he puffs his chest and beams. It's an unexpected response to say the least, given her disdain for tournaments such as the Battle Nexus. This exception may be due to the circumstances of Mikey's rematch. That he not only prevailed when rules and safeguards failed him, but also that he showed mercy to the coward responsible. The fight he won was true, his confidence more than earned. Those around him would do well not to underestimate his will and spirit.

RAPHAEL:

The relationship between Nyxram and Raph is... tense and complicated. Raph finds himself in a position where he wants to trust Traximus-- as well as Mikey and Leo's judgement--when it comes to Nyxram, but this goes against his own negative bias toward triceratons ...and the new knowledge of what they did to Don. From 'go', Raph seemed to know, deep in his gut, that Nyxram was dangerous--and dangerous in a way other triceratons weren't. Though she's done what she can to put his mind at ease, he remains at an arm's length. Pretty words and promises do little to earn trust such as his; he'll need time, action, and tangible results. Or maybe she'll never earn his trust at all. She's at peace with that. Perhaps, it's a wise decision.

MASTER SPLINTER:

Nyxram has known of Splinter, and his master before him, for some time. Though having never participated in the Battle Nexus herself, she'd often monitor it and its competitors in order to remain aware of active warriors across the universe, as well as study their skill-sets. Nyxram respects Splinter as a warrior and his integrity as a person, and she'll always refer to him with his title. When in his presence, she listens and weighs his words and advice against her own methods or beliefs. She won't always take them, but... they're considered (and that's something). Though she's never voiced it, she feels she (and the republic, itself) owes Splinter and his sons a great debt. She hopes to find a way to repay it.

GWYNETH:

What trust Gwyn has in Nyxram is entirely dependent on Mikey. She trusts Nyxram because Mikey trusts Nyxram. And even then, that trust is incredibly fragile. Nyxram is the type of person Darach would hire, and it would seem the Liáfsian's done dealings with her parents in the past. Nyxram, however, has no interest in collaborating with Darach. A choice she makes very, very clear during the short time Gwyn and the turtles shelter on Akeron.

(gwyneth's tag!)

AISLINN:

Where Gwyn is paranoid and distrusting, Ash is completely closed off. She refuses to speak to anyone outside of her twin or the turtles, and, as a result, she and Nyxram have not interacted much. Ash has only spoken to Nyxram when she's felt she needs to. It's clear that she fears for the lives of her twin and friends. Nyxram does her best to respect Ash's distance, but there are times a lack of information is dangerous. She and her men need to know what dangers lie in wait before them if they have any hope of helping, let alone getting everyone to the other side alive.

(aislinn's tag!)

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