tooawesome

🌸 What experience challenged your character's core beliefs? How did they handle this or change from it?

When Alluka was still young, she bonded with Nanika, and in time her wish granting ability showed itself. Killua, then Milluki, both managed it on their own until a butler informed their parents. At first, they told the butlers to refuse every request. Then people died. Ruled dangerous and inhuman, Alluka was locked away in a brightly colored vault with more toys than people for company. They conducted experiments but otherwise only spoke to her via a speaker in the wall and monitored her with cameras. Though she was given food, clothing, toys… she spent most of her life alone. Only Killua came to visit her and that less and less.

Though this sudden turn of events could have soured her on her family, on people, on life, Alluka (and Nanika) maintain a positive optimistic outlook. They keep each other company, so they are never truly alone, and they still believe in people! And the world! Look, she's befriended Gon now she's free. It's proven right. In the end, she's most earnestly carried on.

🐼 What is the most important and defining relationship(s) in your character's life and why?

K-I-L-L-U-A!

Her big brother Killua is the only person who has known and loved her her whole life. He learned about Nanika and was nice to her too. That was enough for Nanika to obey his commands when he asked her to. That's what love is, doing things for each other. He didn't even need official requests to do what she wanted. She could just ask, and he would play any game she wanted. His unconditional support of her personhood, her gender, and her friendship has been an anchor in her life. She may not have managed to keep her sunny outlook without him.

This relationship has grown, too. He's accepted that to be a good big brother, to love Alluka, he has to love Nanika too. Though he messed up, he immediately recognized his error and apologized. He even parted ways with Gon so that he could spend time with and protect her. Killua's the reason she gets to have a life outside that room (and it wasn't easy managing that).

🐼 What is a headcanon (or two) you feel strongly about and that you prefer playing your character with? How is this supported in canon and why do you think it benefits the character's story?

It's implied but not confirmed that Nanika is one of or the only Ai from the Dark Continent. My head canon is that she definitively is. The textual arguments are laid out here, namely: both from the Dark Continent, Zigg Zoldyck went to the Dark Continent, similar deaths in victims, Nanika's pronunciation of hai (yes), Nanika's black eyes, and her devotion to pleasing others, especially Killua.

This identification explains Annika's motivations and actions—bonding with Alluka to integrate herself as part of the known world, granting wishes (as an avenue to earn love, and the cost being why Ai kills), obeying commands out of love, devotion, and codependence… Anything is possible as long as you love her, and once you can do anything with her, there lies the risk of codependence.

Further, it lays out a character arc for development. Ai was named by humans. Nanika wants love but needs to learn boundaries and independence, even beyond what Alluka does. They need to learn together. Should Killua not show up in Folkmore, they may grow dependent on one or more others on the way to managing that. What does it mean to love? What does it mean to be a Familiar?

🌸 If you could give your character a Taylor Swift playlist, which songs would be on it and what would they represent about your character?

Castles Crumbling > Out Of The Woods > Never Grow Up & I Know Places > Shake It Off > How You Get the Girl > It's Nice To Have a Friend

🎵 Once I was the great hope for a dynasty
I was held up so high, I used to be great
I don't know how it could've ended this way
People look at me like I'm a monster 🎵

Alluka was born to the wealthy, respected Zoldyck Family, but once her parents learned of her ability, they viewed her as a monster and locked her away.

🎵 You took a Polaroid of us
Then discovered
The rest of the world was black and white
But we were in screaming color 🎵

Freed of Illumi's needle and reminded of Alluka, Killua went "doh" and rescued her. She became his top priority.

🎵 I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you

Just grab my hand and don't ever drop it
They are the hunters, we are the foxes
And we run 🎵

Because of Alluka's power, she will always be wanted as something to be used and controlled, rather than a person. They travel together, and he keeps her safe.

🎵 It's like I got this music in my mind
Sayin' it's gonna be alright 🎵

Despite attempts on her life and growing up in isolation, Alluka has a positive attitude and mental fortitude.

🎵 Broke your heart, I'll put it back together
And that's how it works
That's how you get the girl 🎵

Alluka doesn't let wrongs slide, but one sincere apology is all it takes to win her back.

🎵 Something gave you the nerve
To touch my hand
It's nice to have a friend 🎵

It's all she wants.

🐼 What famous folklore, legend, or myth would you associate your character with? Are they literally inspired by Snow White? Do they have similar struggles or energy as Red Riding Hood?

As someone who grants wishes, Alluka and Nanika are similar to a genie. Rub the lamp and makes three wishes… In myths, the adage 'careful what you wish for' often comes from the specific language used. You may get your wish but not the way you want it. Nanika usually grants wishes in line with what was requested. However, the issue is what happens next. Someone else has to pay the price, and if they do not, multiple people die. The Zoldyck family is extremely careful about letting people grant wishes. Milluki got in trouble twice—first for causing a mass death by having Nanika kill someone for him, second for asking her for the best newest computer—for abusing it. His saving grace was that it didn't hurt the family.

Even before any wish was granted, there was outright war with many deaths between Illumi and Killua over the issue of Alluka healing Gon. There it is again. Careful what you wish for. Though Nanika is pure of heart, never demanding anything hard for healing someone, the greed of those around her makes the warning about genies true.