Ikara

Nephilim was a researcher, specialising in socio-economics and anthropology, sparked by an interest in lives and culture outside of Amaurot.
As she has no affinity for creation magicks, barely able to conjure the simplest of forms, a more scholarly role suited her well.
She was taken under Venat's wing and encouraged to travel the world as her assistant whilst she still held the seat of Azem.
When the time came for Venat to give up her title, she recommended Nephilim as her successor, a decision that was supported by Igeyorhm and Themis.

She has a very bright and sometimes naive disposition, often falling victim to Hythlodeaus and Emet-selchs teasing of her.
She has a very close relationship with the pair, viewing both as her older brothers; equally, they view her as a little sister to be both bullied and protected.

Nephilim has a close platonic relationship with Themis; she loves him dearly and they both acknowledge they would be perfect for each other however due to their titles do not pursue anything further.

Ikara is not a woman who demands attention, yet somehow manages to capture it. She is intelligent, resilient and quietly fierce.
She is reserved but never passive and moves with a certain poise, never drawing attention to herself unnecessarily and shying away from it when she receives it.
To the world, she is playful, and mischievous, often referred to as a menace by companions and loved ones alike; she beguiles those she meets with her charm, however only a few are allowed close enough to know the complicated and tormented woman beneath.

Ikara suffered a lot of verbal abuse at an impressionable age and endured a lot of pain and loss in her short life which has shaped her into someone who guards her heart fiercely. However those that do manage to break down her barriers will all agree that you’d be hard pressed to find a more loyal or devoted friend/lover who puts her all into these relationships, loving fiercely and deeply. She will sacrifice her own happiness if it means putting a smile on a loved ones face instead and will go out of her way to ensure her loved ones are looked after.

Ikara has self-destructive tendencies but rarely lashes out at others; she internalises everything and punishes herself, often severely.However there is also a quiet fire beneath her demeanor, with an unwillingness to allow herself to be dictated or controlled. One of her biggest fears is losing this autonomy and becoming nothing more than a puppet for forces outside of her control

Due to her background where she was left never knowing if it was the Resistance forces or the Garlean army who killed her mother, Ikara is jaded when it comes to 'good and bad'. She very much doesn't operate in absolutes and sees both sides as being as bad as each other. This causes a lot of clashes with the Scions because it makes her more open to listening to what they perceive to be the enemy - Ikara views them as someone with an alternative outlook and is willing to talk and give people a chance.
She is much more likely to listen, being skilled in the art of observation, and when she does speak it is with a measured wit and intelligence, not wasting words needlessly.
Prior to her separation from Zenos due to Fandaniels manipulations, Ikara was completely open with her love and allowed herself to be spoiled and didn't resist his possessive nature. However after the events of In From the Cold, she became colder, more distant and less trustful of her relationships. Moving into Dawntrail, she doesn't allow her heartbreak to define her and has allowed herself to be rebuilt stronger than she was with a refusal to allow herself to be defined by her relationships and duties and forcing people to see her.

Ikara has almost ritualistic love for tea, often keeping her home and place she spends a lot of time fully stocked with different blends. She does however get distracted easily so oftentimes you can locate her by following the cups of half drank cold tea that have been left dotted around.
Despite her small size, she is also a big snacker. She is rarely seen without something to eat in her hand from fruit to pastries to even entire bits of ham (Her 'thinking ham' she referred to it as) and again, is prone to leaving these unfinished when she finds something else that captures her attention

Ikara is a keen baker having learned from her mother at young age. It was a hobby they participated in together and Ikara kept up after her mothers passing.
Ikara is also bookworm through and through. Her apartment and workspaces generally filled and cluttered with half-read novels (usually she'd reading multiple at a time), poetry books and textbooks. Generally she prefers non-fiction, especially biographies and history books and has a very large collection of books both in her own home, her brothers home and in her reading room in Garlemald.
Her guilty pleasure however is bad romance novels; like proper bodice ripper stuff. She tends to hide these in a different book and keeps a very stoic face when reading however her flushed cheeks from particular scenes tends to raise an eyebrow and have people wonder what's so flustering about the biographies of former Doman generals.
Zenos caught her with these one day and absolutely teased her relentlessly but finds it endearing so never pushes it too far.

Ikara grew up in the Gyr Abania region, growing up in a small village in Dimwold, The Fringes.
Her father was a weaponsmith who prior to the Garlean occupation, made use of the trading hub to sell his wares. His weapons became much sought after amongst the resistance forces after the Garleans moved in and not one to rock the boat, he reluctantly traded with them. Dayan is incredibly non-confrontational and would prefer not to be involved in others affairs even if it's for his homeland, seeking a quiet life which made him a very difficult man for most to get along with.

Ikara and her brother were just infants when the Garleans invaded, barely past their first nameday.
Their parents sheltered them from a lot of the strife going on around them with Isa, their mother, only giving vague explanations as to why so many of their friends had lost parents or were moving away.

However, this did not stop Isa from encouraging her daughters more adventurous spirit, wanting her to see the world that she never could.
Shortly after the twins turned 8, their mother fell ill which caused her difficulty with movement but did not slow her down.
Despite no longer practicing as a healer, Isa liked to always keeping a healthy supply of medicinal herbs "just incase". Whilst out gathering, resistance forces clashed with the Garlean soldiers during the construction of Baelsars Wall and, due to her illness, Isa was not able to flee fast enough and was caught in the cross-fire, killing her instantly.

The twins were heartbroken and their father never got over this, turning him more bitter and closed off than ever.
He was especially strict with Ikara, frequently expressing his disdain for her more tomboyish nature and would berate her for not committing herself to the life of a homemaker and instead choosing the path of a warrior.

Dayan eventually turned to alcohol and was a mean drunk. He frequently verbally and physically abused the twins, Ikara taking the worst of it.
The day before her 16th nameday, she left home to walk her own path. She and her father haven't exchanged more than civilities since then.
Her brother, not wanting to see the families name and reputation for weaponry be tarnished by their fathers behavior, took up smithing and moved the family business to Kugane where he eventually settled down.

Upon arriving in Eorzea, Ikara befriended another young fresh-out-the-nest adventurer, a Miqo'te Seeker named R'varah Tia. Both met in Gridania as rookies in their craft; Ikara a lancer and R'varah an archer.
The two of them were a formidable team, battling in perfect harmony without a word breathed between them. Ikara specialising in infiltration whilst R'varah took care of targets from afar.
Whilst there was a brief romantic love between the pair, they quickly realised that they worked better as colleagues/companions than as a couple. They worked completely freelance, taking missions from whoever paid the most regardless of what side they were on. Ikara blamed both the Garleans and the Resistance for what happened to her mother and it clouded how she approached things, assuming everyone to be just as bad as the other and not seeing any one singular enemy

Shortly before the Seventh Umbral Calamity, Ikara was tasked with a solo mission;infiltrating a Garlean research facility.
Her mission proceeded without issue, almost too smoothly for her liking.
As she made her final dash to escape, she was halted by the forces of Gaius van Baelser, tipped off of her breach by her closest companion.
Betrayed and heart-broken, Ikara barely escaped with her life.

Ikara spent six months recovering from her injuries; shrapnel impaling her lower abdomen and severe burns across her skin.
After she recovered, Ikara sought vengeance for her betrayal. After many months, she finally confronted R’Varaha - she has never spoken of what befell during this encounter however no trace of the Miqo’te has been seen since.

When she finally returned to Gridania, she had no intentions of getting wrapped up with the Scions and resisted Papalymo and Yda several times before her curiosity got the better of her and she relented.

Ikara’s relationship in the early days was positive. They originally met shortly before the events at Cartenau in the Quicksands. Ikara had only recently gotten on her feet after her injuries at Varah’s hands and was seeking information on the Miqo’te to hunt him down. She caught Thancreds attention; a very inquisitive Keeper stood out in a city inhabited mostly by fellow Hyur, Seekers and Lalafell. The two spent some time talking, both ulterior motives of trying to gain information from the other but ultimately parted ways uneventfully, not to see each other again for 5 years.

After Ikara joined the Scions, having completely forgotten about her initial meeting with Thancred, the two formed a friendship founded on his teasing of her forgetting him. They would share a drink, banter and in general had a positive relationship. The Bloody Banquet is where the beginning of the cracks began in their relationship. Upon his return to the Scions, Ikara and Thancred butted heads repeatedly. He had a new perspective on the world and treated her like a child; condescending her and making her feel like her opinions were insignificant when weighted against the others - she should “leave the politics to the rest of us and you do what you’re good at - fighting”.

This was further strained during the attempts to liberate Ala Mhigo when he learned that Ikara had been actively engaging with the Viceroy on her own terms. Her grief at his suicide was met with contempt and Thancred took no pity on Ikara, his words scathing.

By the time Ikara arrived on the First, their relationship was entirely professional only; communicating only when needed (excluding occasions where Thancred would throw out the occasional snide comment in Ikara’s direction). Again, he made his utter disdain apparent when he learned that she had befriended Emet-Selch and had developed a mentor/student bond with him. (Comments such as “you’re just working your way through the family tree aren’t you?” were snapped at her)

As Ikara absorbed more and more Lightwardens and her psyche began to fray, Thancred stepped back as he realised he was projecting onto her and didn’t want to lose her like he lost Minfilia. Post ShB-Early EW, their interactions were less strained as the realisation dawned on Thancred of just how much Ikara was hurting as WoL, how much support she needed and how much she was retreating away from everyone. Her emotions fragile, overwhelmed with all the knowledge forced upon her of the Ancients, Azem and the world as they knew it; she needed a support system more than ever even if she pushed and pushed away.

Returning to the Source helped mend their relationship further, slowly returning to their early days of friendship and building that trust and camaraderie again. G’raha was who Ikara turned to when she needed an escape, an adventure and some fun to take her mind off things but it was Thancred who she’d sit up until 2am with, discussing her thoughts and feelings with - thinly veiled confessions of her time in Garlemald without disclosing all the details, completely unaware he had been keeping a close eye on her the entire time to ensure her safety and wellbeing.
Thancred never let Ikara know he was aware of her relationship but was there to support her each time he knew she would be hurting. Only he and Urianger knew the true reason for her unbridled rage after her soul was swapped and body hijacked, calming her and sedating her to ensure she didn’t hurt herself; who knew the true reason why she gave chase onto the Moon; why, despite her injuries, she was crying with grief and not physical pain as she lay bloodied and bruised on the Ragnarok, gripping the only physical item she had left to remember; why she sunk into a deep depression after they returned victorious.

Post EW, their relationship is fully mended and they are incredibly close, Ikara providing him with regular updates on Ryne and vice versa. .

From the beginning, Ikara had nothing but the utmost respect for Urianger and he has always been one of the few people on Eitherys she opens up to and confides in .
He is aware that often, she is not seeking advice or for someone to try and fix things but just wishes to vent and is always willing to lend an ear, and offer insight should she request it.
Ikara’s wellbeing has always been one of Urianger’s priorities and is one of the only Scions to frequently express concern that she is being treated like a weapon with no concern for her as an individual.

Upon returning to the Source, he quickly figured out where Ikara was sneaking off to; whilst concerned, he did acknowledge the positive change in her demeanor and was ultimately supportive, keeping the knowledge to himself.
When Thancred also figured this out, it was Urianger who convinced him to also keep the knowledge privy to himself and to use his skills to ensure her safety rather than breach her trust and potentially sever the fragile ties keeping her with the Scions.
Urianger would keep Ikara grounded, often reminding her of her importance and place in the world, not as WoL but as Ikara.

A modern comparison is needed for this relationship.
They are the Eorzean Steve and Robin. If they could, they’d be wearing sailor uniforms, serving ice cream and stopping Garleans and aliens. A platonic love between two utterly devoted best friends. Comfortable, playful and genuine.

Ikara knew Raha harboured feelings for her at the start when they reunited on the First, when he was still playing the role of the elusive Exarch.
But he was always respectful, never pushed the boundary or pressured her and that’s why she loved him. Even when he realised she was never going to see him the same way he saw her, he accepted this and embraced their friendship instead. They finish each others sentences, have the same mischievous sense of humour and is always a breath of fresh air when Ikara needs the escape from her duty.

He is unaware of her relationship with Zenos; he has his suspicions but is secure enough in their friendship to know she will tell him when she is ready. .

Ikara is incredibly fond of Estinien and gets on really well with him as they actually have a lot in common with similar senses of dry humour and both being dragoons.

He taught her a lot about her class and trained one-on-one with her many times even before officially joining the Scions. .

To Ikara, they’re like younger siblings. She’s very protective of them and shelters them from a lot, always keeping in mind that whilst they are very mature and experienced for their ages, that they are still teenagers and they should have some things they remain unaware of.
Her relationship being one of those things as well as some of the darker consequences of their actions as Scions. Eg they have no idea just what kind of toll the Light actually had on Ikara’s body and made the others swear not to tell as she knew they’d both be overcome with guilt. .

Ikara is quite timid around Krile.
She has the utmost respect for her and part of that intimidation is caused by how much respect and reverie she has for the scholar.

Prior to joining the Scions, Ikara had read many of both Krile and her grandfathers writings about their research and explorations so it was almost a bit surreal for Ikara to suddenly be in a position where they were peers. .

CW: suicide (multiple mentions)

Stormblood

They met at Rhalgr's Reach much like in canon. Ikara had never encountered anyone who could go toe-to-toe with her before, let alone make her break a sweat and out of breath. She was immediately intrigued. And infuriated. As Y'shtola lay injured at her feet, Ikara simply stared Zenos down defiantly. She showed no fear, no yielding.
And that was unfamiliar to him.
Noone ever looked him dead in the eye looking at him more like he was a nuisance and annoyance than someone who had just cut their comrade down. And so his game of trying to make her break first began, culminating with Ikara taking a katana to the shoulder. And still she stared him down.
He was intrigued by this creature and her stubbornness. And so he bothered her at every opportunity. Every chance their paths crossed, he was there to convince her they weren't so different and every time she swatted him away like a fly. And that only kept him trying. Because she didn't treat him like others. She wasn't afraid, she wasn't a sycophant, she wasn't subserviant.
Slowly, Ikara's annoyance stopped being infuriating annoyance more friendly annoyance, her defenses worn down by sheer persistence. She showed him no respect, only referred to him by his last name or patronisingly as 'Princeling'. In return he called her a savage, a beast, a menace. A mutual respect for each others positions and abilities formed and they had a kinship. Nothing more than a few discreet sparring sessions and talking more casually.
And then he offered her companionship and killed himself when she accepted. And as she stood there, covered in blood and watching her 'not friend' (as she'd insist on calling him), lie there in front of her, Ikara was traumatised.

Shadowbringers
Ikara and Emet-Selch had a teacher-student relationship. He offered wisdom and knowledge to her ever curious mind and in return she gave him companionship. They'd sit in the upper rafters of the Crystarium talking into the small hours, her learning all about Amaurot and the unsundered world.
So when another person she considered a kindred spirit died in front of her, this time by her hand, she was traumatised.
So she left the First and decided to deal with her problems the only way she knew how. A bottle of red wine and a sizeable quantity of somnus.
She had sought refuge in Castrum Fluminis, deciding it would be a fitting location to drown her sorrows since yet another person who had become a companion to her - Tsuyu - met their end here.
As her thoughts became darker and she fell further into despair, Zenos sought respite away from Garlemald to let the seeds of chaos sow as Gaius took the fall for the emperors death. And as if by fate he found her. Alone, in the dark, eyes raw from days of crying and just at her end. Too afraid to do it herself, she pleaded with him to end it for her. To let her leave this world like he did.
And was promptly given a wakeup call in the form of a fist to her jaw and a verbal berating about throwing away her gifts, how she was in a pathetic state and the warrior he knew would never beg for death like a coward.

And so an uneasy truce formed once again. A mutual understanding where they provided each other an outlet to vent and train. Perhaps the only people in the world who could ever truly understand the other. Dead mothers, abusive fathers, isolation from a young age and a burden and title put upon them that neither wanted but won't give up due to being bound by duty.
still in progress