Nikolai Romano

Niko was an obvious addition to The Keepers as the idea developed in my head. I took the WinterWidow ship and scavenged for parts to develop several of the characters for the Keepers. Something I knew I wanted early on was international heroes, lots of them, so the obvious answer between those two arose: Russian character. With Niko, the goal was to subvert expectations & stereotypes. He's not the villain in any way, shape, or form; he's a shy, sweet, easily flustered baker with a knack for mechanics and a crush on the leader of his hero team. Aderyn and Cedric got the angst while Niko escaped with the nationality. Cheers, Niko.

## Appearance

### Simple Appearance

Niko is the tallest person on the Keepers as of now. He has brown hair that he can never keep tidy and pale blue-gray eyes. He tends to slouch a lot so as not to overshadow his teammates.

### Detailed Appearance

Niko is the tallest member of the Keepers at 6’3”. He often slouches, trying to seem smaller or less intimidating among his teammates. His pale brown hair is usually seen in a bit of a messy style and he can often be seen running his fingers through it in a futile effort to keep it tidy. His pale blue-gray eyes are striking and intense, giving him a serious and focused appearance. When he’s with his team, they light up and he seems far more friendly. His features are sharp and angular, giving him a very defined look. He has a thin nose and high cheekbones that give him a distinctive and elegant look. He has a very neutral, thoughtful resting face. Despite his height and somewhat intimidating appearance, Niko is a kind person who cares deeply about the people around him. He tries his best to fit in with his teammates.

Niko, the tallest member of the Keepers, stands tall at an imposing 6'3", but his posture often belies his true stature. He tends to slouch, unconsciously trying to downplay his height and appear less intimidating among his teammates. His pale brown hair perpetually resists order, maintaining a tousled and somewhat messy style that hints at a perpetual dishevelment. Frustration frequently manifests in the form of his fingers running futilely through his unruly locks in an effort to maintain a tidier appearance.

What truly captivates those who meet Niko are his striking and intense pale blue-gray eyes. They have an almost ethereal quality, possessing a magnetic pull that demands attention. These piercing orbs give him an air of seriousness and unwavering focus, an aura that seems at odds with his attempts to blend in with his team.

When Niko is in the company of his teammates, something transformative happens. The reserved facade shatters, and his eyes light up with a newfound warmth, revealing a far more approachable and friendly side of him. His features, although sharp and angular, add to his unique charm, creating a strikingly defined look that sets him apart.

His thin nose and high cheekbones contribute to an elegant and distinctive appearance, giving him an air of refinement even in the midst of intense situations. Niko's resting face, however, is a study in neutrality and deep thought, which often leads people to mistake his contemplative demeanor for aloofness.

Despite his height and somewhat intimidating exterior, Niko is a kind-hearted soul who holds a profound sense of care for those around him. He goes to great lengths to fit in with his teammates, striving to be a supportive presence in their lives. Whether it's offering a comforting word or lending a helping hand, Niko's true nature shines through as a compassionate and dedicated friend. In the world of the Keepers, where strength and resolve are paramount, Niko's unique blend of strength and kindness makes him an invaluable member of the team.

### Breakdown

* Eye Color - Pale Blue-Gray
* Hair Color - Light Brown
* Hair Length - Short
* Hair Texture - Straight
* Skin Tone - Pale
* Height - 6'3
* Weight - lbs
* Voice Claim -

#### Design Notes

* Rarely seen without his red beanie
* His main colors are dark gray and blue, but he is most often drawn with the colors of the Russian flag
* Poor posture
* Hands are usually covered in ink/grease/oil. It's just kind of stained on there now.

## Personality

### Traits

##### Positive (+)

* Intelligent
* Genuine
* Sweet
* Focused

##### Neutral (=)

* Superstitious
* Curious

##### Negative (-)

* Sensitive
* Inarticulate

## Background

### Childhood

Nikolai was born in a small town outside Moscow to a single mother. Her name was Dariya Romano and she was an incredibly sweet, hard-working woman. Niko looked up to her his whole life. His father was unknown, even to Dariya. She had either forgotten or refused to divulge who it was. With no father in his life, Niko was given his grandfather's name as a patronym. Ivan Romano had died shortly before Niko was born, but Dariya had loved her father and was happy to bestow his name on her son.

Life was hard for the Romanos. Dariya struggled to make ends meet and her mother, ashamed of her daughter's fatherless child, refused to support them in any way. Dariya was determined to provide a good life for her son, though, and she worked hard. It was never enough, but she was enough for Nikolai.

## Other

### Notes

* Niko does a lot of the cooking at Keepers tower. He enjoys cooking, but not quite as much as he loves baking
* Legitimately a genius. He designed and built the Dragonfly entirely by himself (with a few requests/input from Maya)

### Trivia

* Niko is a big Taylor Swift fan. His favorite albums are 1989 and Midnights. It's Maya's fault.
* Has Russian nicknames for most of his friends. Hawthorne, Cedric, and Aderyn don't have nicknames because their names aren't close enough to any diminutive he knows of. Maya, Valentina, and Mirai all have some though.
* In a Zodiacs crossover, Niko would absolutely date Natasha Rogers. Don't get me wrong, I love him and Mirai together. He's just so similar to Natasha and I think they'd be a good couple.
* In a Percy Jackson AU, Niko would be a child of Hephaestus. I mean, he doesn't know who his dad is in canon, so who's to say Hephaestus isn't actually his dad?

### Links

#### Playlist

* Long Live - Taylor Swift
* Cruel Summer - Taylor Swift
* Message in a Bottle - Taylor Swift
* Why - Sabrina Carpenter
* Somebody To You - The Vamps
* Wonder - Shawn Mendes
* 8 Letters - Why Don't We
* If Only - Dove Cameron
* Mona Lisa - Dominic Fike
* 18 - One Direction
* Be My Queen - Seafret