Characters / Imminent Danger and How To Fly Straight into It

A list of characters from the Imminent Danger series, and the tropes that apply to them.

Crew of the Nonconformity

Eris Miller

The series protagonist. Initially an ordinary girl abducted from Earth by aliens, her life quickly grows to become anything but ordinary.

• All Girls Want Bad Boys: Played with. Eris is attracted to Varrin from the beginning, but soon finds his amoral behavior appalling. It's only when she begins to see his kinder, more compassionate nature that she begins to seriously entertain the idea of a relationship with him. By the time of Chasing Nonconformity they have a strong relationship, mainly because Varrin has become a much better person.
• Battle Couple: By Chasing Nonconformity, she's become this with Varrin.
• Brainy Brunette: Capable and intelligent, Eris was smart enough to attend a prestigious private school on a scholarship while on Earth, and is capable of formulating impressive battle plans while in space.
• Damsel in Distress: Happens a few times in Imminent Danger; understandable since she has no experience regarding how to survive in space. She later grows out of this, and when Fino'jin takes her captive in Chasing Nonconformity she's fully capable of defending herself and escaping on her own.
• Disappeared Dad: Her father left the family when Eris was seven.
• Fish out of Water: Understandably Eris struggles at first to adjust to her new life in space. However she adapts quickly, and by the end of Chasing Nonconformity this isn't much of an issue.
• Friendless Background: Eris didn't have any friends growing up on Earth, which is part of the reason she isn't eager to go back.
• Has a Type: The two men she has expressed attraction to, Varrin and Kraigoth, are both involved in criminal activity. Though to be fair, Eris is too.
• Interspecies Romance: With Varrin.
• Morality Pet: Serves as this for Varrin, and also somewhat to Grashk. Eris seems to generally bring this out in people.
• Nice Girl: Eris is generally very empathetic and friendly.
• Official Couple: With Varrin, naturally.
• Outlaw Couple: By the end of Imminent Danger, she's formed this with Varrin.
• Pinball Protagonist: Eris has shades of this when she's first abducted, being completely out of her depth in a world she doesn't understand. She learns quickly, and by the time she visits home, she's grown out of this completely.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: As Sebara points out in Chasing Nonconformity, by Rakorsian customs Eris is a member of the royal family of Rakor.
• Scholarship Student: At Barlow Collegiate Institute. She's one of the few students who didn't rely on family money to attend the school, meaning she doesn't have much in common with her classmates.
• Strapped to an Operating Table: Happens to her while she's a prisoner at Chakra Corp.
• Took a Level in Badass: By Chasing Nonconformity, she's being trained by Varrin to defend herself better in combat, and it seems to be going quite well.
• Traumatic Haircut: Undergoes this while a prisoner at Chakra Corp. Eventually her hair is grown back with the help of a skilled alien hairdresser.
• True Companions: With Varrin, Miguri and Grashk.
• What the Hell, Hero?: Gives this to herself when she and Varrin need to commandeer the Claktill ship in Chasing Nonconformity, and does her best to treat the Claktills as kindly as possible.

Varrin Gara'dar

A handsome Rakorsian mercenary, who quickly grows to have a complicated relationship with Eris. Turns out to have quite the past.

• Abusive Parents: His father tried to force Varrin into an arranged marriage, and eventually poisoned his son when Varrin refused.
• The Ace: Rakorsians are required to be this by default. As Eris gets to know Varrin better, she learns more about some of his flaws and vulnerabilities.
• Ace Pilot: Anytime he pilots the Nonconformity.
• Anti-Hero: Initially a type IV, he becomes a type III throughout the first novel.
• Arranged Marriage: Forced into one by his father, which resulted in Varrin fleeing Rakor and abdicating as heir.
• Battle Couple: By Chasing Nonconformity, he's this with Eris.
• Cannot Spit It Out: It takes him a while to admit his feelings for Eris.
• The Casanova: If the rumours are anything to go by, Varrin has quite a history with women.
• Casual Danger Dialogue: A big fan of this. Probably because he's very rarely in any actual danger, due to his skill in combat.
• Character Development: Possibly undergoes the most in the series, learning to be more compassionate and sympathetic towards others. His relationship with Eris really brings out the best in him.
• Deuteragonist: In the first book. He still is this in the second book, but it's shared with Trystan and Sebara.
• Establishing Character Moment: Invading a Ssrisk ship alone, and effortlessly rescuing Eris and Miguri.
• Genius Bruiser: Varrin is not only a skilled combatant, but also a talented engineer and an expert pilot. In his line of work, he'd have to be.
• Interspecies Romance: With Eris.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Initially it's buried pretty deep, but Eris helps bring it out in him.
• Ladykiller in Love: A classic case with Eris.
• The Nicknamer: Picks this up in Chasing Nonconformity. Eris is named Dumpling and Grashk is named Big Blue. Neither are very happy about this.
• Official Couple: With Eris, naturally.
• Outlaw Couple: By the end of Imminent Danger, he's formed this with Eris.
• Private Military Contractors: He is this by trade. He doesn't need the money, but enjoys the adventure.
• Say My Name: Both novels end with Eris screaming Varrin's name in frustration.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: His response when his father revealed his Arranged Marriage, though he had problems with the Rakorsian lifestyle long before this.
• Sibling Yin-Yang: He and Trystan are very different, but still get along well.
• Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: To Grashk.
• Wacky Marriage Proposal: At the end of Imminent Danger.
• Wild Card: Varrin is this as part of his job as a mercenary. Part of his character development involves him growing out of it, and learning to stick by his friends. By Chasing Nonconformity he's a loyal and reliable team member.

Miguri Ma'aktilli

A friendly Claktill, who quickly becomes Eris' mentor and best friend. Unlike other members of his species, Miguri is not a pacifist and is fully capable of taking care of himself. Considering the world he lives in, this is probably for the best.

• Alliterative Name: Miguri Ma'aktilli.
• The Chew Toy: Miguri endures a lot, particularly in his backstory. His species has their home planet destroyed due to their pacifist nature, and when Miguri tries to fight back, his people exile him. Things get a little better for him in the main series, though he's still taken captive more than once, and has to endure a lot of teasing from Varrin.
• Cool Old Guy: Old enough to be a great grandparent, and fully capable of protecting his friends.
• The Exile: The Claktills won't be having him back anytime soon.
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: When his colony ship came under attack by the Ssrisk, Miguri was the only Claktill who fought back, destroying the Ssrisk ship and saving his people from slavery. He was exiled for this, due to the Claktill Suicidal Pacifist nature.
• Out of Focus: In the second half of Chasing Nonconformity, when he's off bonding with Kiguri, and only appears briefly.
• Parental Substitute: To Kiguri.
• Sidekick: To Eris, as well as a mentor figure.

Grashk

A member of the Ssrisk ship that takes Eris captive. He eventually grows to respect Eris, working with her several times as an ally following her escape.

• A Day in the Limelight: The third novel, Cerulean Bound, will be this for him.
• Duel to the Death: Fond of these. It seems to be a Ssrisk thing.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: It doesn't take much to set Grashk off, much to Varrin's delight.
• Embarrassing Nickname: In Chasing Nonconformity, Varrin dubs him Big Blue.
• Multi-Armed and Dangerous: He has six arms, and often uses them to wield multiple Strikers.
• Out of Focus: In Chasing Nonconformity.
• Put on a Bus: Twice; first early on in Imminent Danger when Eris leaves the Ssrisk ship, and later partway through Chasing Nonconformity, when he leaves to command the Ss'Rass'Kriss.
• Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: To Varrin.

The Nonconformity

Varrin's beloved spaceship, stolen from Rakor. Varrin's history with the ship, and his reasons for being so devoted to it, are slowly told over the course of the first two novels.

• Cool Spaceship: Naturally.
• Killed Off for Real: In a sense. Eris is forced to self-destruct the Nonconformity at the end of Chasing Nonconformity, to destroy the Harmonious Enforcer Mark 1.
• Trash the Set: In Chasing Nonconformity, the Nonconformity IS the set.

Empire of Rakor

Emperor Ka'zarel Gara'dar

The father of Varrin and Trystan, and the Emperor of Rakor. Leading a quest to conquer the galaxy, and indirectly responsible for much of the conflict in the Imminent Danger series. Determined to return Varrin to Rakor to take his place as heir. He has so far sent Admiral Kratis and Trystan to accomplish this, though both have failed.

• Abusive Parents: Dear God. Frequently terrifies and insults Trystan, attempting to crush his artistic dreams. He's even worse to Varrin, poisoning him in an effort to control him.
• Archnemesis Dad: For Varrin and Trystan.
• Control Freak: His treatment of his sons shows definite shades of this.
• The Emperor: Of course.
• Evil Overlord: A particularly terrifying one.
• Greater-Scope Villain: Behind the Rakorsian invasion, and therefore responsible for much of the current disastrous state of the galaxy. However he has only appeared twice in the series so far, and even then very briefly.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: When it involves his sons, at least.
• Inadequate Inheritor: A recurring problem for him. His eldest son Varrin is a skilled warrior, but disinterested in ruling and fled Rakor following an Arranged Marriage. His second son Trystan is artistic and sensitive, and so Ka'zarel deems him an inadequate successor. After the events of Chasing Nonconformity, it seems he may have lost Trystan too.
• Offing the Offspring: He never quite succeeds, but his actions poisoning Varrin show he's not above this.
• Orcus on His Throne: Hasn't yet become involved in the action of the main series, probably because he's off conquering planets for the Rakorsian empire.
• Succession Crisis: What he hopes to avoid. So far it is not going well.

Trystan Gara'dar

Varrin's younger brother. Timid and kindhearted, with his brother's exile Trystan is the current heir to the warlike Emperor Ka'zarel. The Emperor doesn't like this one bit, and in Chasing Nonconformity he tasks Trystan with tracking Varrin down and bringing him home.

• Abusive Parents: Emperor Ka'zarel treated Trystan almost as badly as he treated Varrin, which is really saying something. At least he never poisoned Trystan.
• Cloud Cuckoolander: Trystan generally operates on his own wavelength.
• Foreshadowing: He is mentioned a couple times in Imminent Danger by Varrin, and it's implied that their father doesn't think too highly of him. In Chasing Nonconformity, he becomes a major character.
• Friend to All Living Things: Trystan loves every animal he meets, and eventually obtains a Moofa named Shasha.
• Giftedly Bad: Most of his poems tend to end up as this.
• Hero Antagonist: He is technically following orders from the Rakorsian empire throughout most of the book, but remains sympathetic.
• In Touch with His Feminine Side: Oh yes.
• Modest Royalty: Friendly, accepting of others, and his closest friend is his bodyguard.
• Momma's Boy: He is shown to be very close to his mother. Understandable considering who his father is.
• Non-Action Guy: Unlike his brother, he isn't much help in fights.
• Protectorate: He is this to Sebara. And Fino'jin, not that the latter cares much.
• The Quest: He is tasked with bringing Varrin back to Rakor.
• Sibling Yin-Yang: He and Varrin couldn't be more different. Despite that, the brothers are shown to get along quite well.
• True Companions: With Sebara.

Sebara

A Rala'kamil and Trystan's bodyguard, assigned to accompany and train him on their mission to retrieve Varrin. Along with Eris, she acts as the primary narrator in Chasing Nonconformity.

• Butch Lesbian: Enforced by the Rakorsian empire. Because of her sexual orientation, joining the Rala'kamill was the only career the Rakorsians allowed her.
• Cloud Cuckoolanders Minder: This is essentially her role when protecting Trystan.
• Cool Big Sis: To Trystan.
• The Dog Bites Back: She finally turns against Fino'jin once he completely loses it and attempts to kill Eris.
• Hero Antagonist: She is technically following orders from the Rakorsian empire throughout most of the book, but remains sympathetic.
• Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: Her fate at the end of Chasing Nonconformity, by way of a giant mechanical spider leg. However she narrowly survives.
• Only Sane Man: With a crew consisting of Trystan and Fino'jin, Sebara is the only reason they even come close to accomplishing their goal.
• The Stoic: Initially she's very reserved. Trystan helps her grow out of this.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: She can't stand working with Fino'jin, and he barely tolerates her presence.
• True Companions: With Trystan.

Fino'jin

A member of the Skin Slicers, an elite Rakorsian guard. Initially a minor villain serving under Admiral Kratis in Imminent Danger, he is tasked with retrieving Varrin in Chasing Nonconformity, effectively becoming the new Big Bad. His adventures... take quite a toll on him.

• Ascended Extra: Only in a few scenes in Imminent Danger, he comes into play in Chasing Nonconformity in a big way.
• Big Bad: For Chasing Nonconformity, and possibly future books.
• Disney Villain Death: He seems to meet this at the end of Chasing Nonconformity... before the epilogue reveals that he survived.
• Friendly Enemy: Fino'jin and Varrin have this dynamic in Imminent Danger, as Fino'jin helped raise Varrin years before Varrin fled from Rakor. Fino'jin respects Varrin despite everything that's happened, and Varrin is determined not to kill Fino'jin (which is complicated by Fino'jin's honor demanding a battle to the death). However after what Fino'jin does in Chasing Nonconformity, this dynamic is almost certainly over.
• Hair-Trigger Temper: Fino'jin tends to exist in a state of permanent rage.
• Heel–Face Turn: Not that he was very heroic to begin with, but Fino'jin in Imminent Danger was a friendly if antagonistic rival to Varrin, and Varrin clearly held some affection for him. In Chasing Nonconformity, he constantly antagonizes Trystan and Sebara even when they work to complete the mission. Fridge Brilliance kicks in considering that Varrin - a strong and brave warrior who refuses to bow to others - is exactly the sort of person Fino'jin would respect. Trystan and Sebara don't follow the traditional Rakorsian mindset, explaining Fino'jin's hatred of them.
• Humble Pie: His defeat at the end of Chasing Nonconformity is a massive example of this. After going berserk and attacking a girl who qualifies as Rakorsian royalty, Fino'jin is defeated and horribly injured, forcing him to become a cyborg in order to survive. In doing so, he essentially loses his entire identity as a Rakorsian... the thing that meant more to him than anything else.
• Insane Admiral: He slowly becomes this as his mission continues, culminating in him taking Eris captive to convince Varrin to return home, and then attempting to kill Eris... knowing full well she's a member of the royal family of Rakor.
• Ironic Hell: Fino'jin, who places the perfection of Rakorsians above all else, ends up injured so severely that he is transformed into a cyborg in order to survive, something that the doctors state will make him an outcast among Rakorsians and "destroy him". No tears will be shed.
• The Load: Despite his constant complaints regarding Trystan and Sebara, it becomes increasingly clear that Fino'jin himself is this, letting his irrational anger impair his better judgment.
• No Indoor Voice: Fino'jin likes to shout.
• Politically Incorrect Villain: Oh yes. Misogynistic and homophobic, Fino'jin is not the most open minded individual.
• Sanity Slippage: He goes from an efficient and pragmatic soldier to a completely unhinged psychopath over the course of his journey with Trystan and Sebara.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: He resents working with Trystan and Sebara, and makes his dislike very widely known.
• Undying Loyalty: To the Emperor. Loyalty is probably his only positive quality.
• We Used to Be Friends: He was a mentor figure to Varrin growing up, but after Fino'jin's actions in Chasing Nonconformity, it's unlikely Varrin feels anything but hatred for him.
• Would Hit a Girl: Has no problem attacking or even attempting to murder Sebara... and Eris.

Shasha

A Moofa Trystan encounters, and promptly claims as his pet. Has some mysterious powers that have not been fully explained.

• I'm Taking Her Home with Me!: Trystan's reaction upon meeting her.
• Ridiculously Cute Critter: She's pretty cute. Fino'jin and Sebara do not approve.
• Team Pet: To the crew tracking Varrin.

Admiral Kratis

A highly ranked Rakorsian, tasked by the Emperor to bring his wayward son back to Rakor. Kratis soon becomes a thorn in Eris and Varrin's side.

• Big Bad Duumvirate: He tries this with Hroshk. It goes well for a while, but ends with Hroshk murdering him, ultimately making Kratis...
• Big Bad Wannabe: ...this.
• Killed Off for Real: His alliance didn't go according to plan.
• Mouth of Sauron: He serves as the face of the Rakorsian empire throughout much of the first novel.

Empress of Rakor

The wife of Emperor Ka'zarel, mother to Trystan, and stepmother to Varrin.

• The Ghost: Mentioned several times, but she has yet to make an appearance.
• Good Parents: She seems to be this to Trystan, encouraging his painting. He thinks fondly of her, however Varrin does not.
• No Name Given: Not yet, anyway.
• "Rashomon"-Style: Trystan's fond memories of her contrast strongly with Varrin's disdain for her. It remains to be seen if she simply preferred her biological son, or one of the brothers was mistaken.
• Wicked Stepmother: Varrin claims she was this.

The Ssrisk

Captain Hroshk

The captain of the vessel that kidnapped Eris, the Ss'Rass'Kriss. A homicidal warmonger looking for slaves to bring to Ssriss, he gets more than he bargained for when Eris arrives on his ship.

• Big Bad: For Imminent Danger And How To Fly Straight Into It.
• Big Bad Duumvirate: He attempts this with Admiral Kratis, but it doesn't take too long before they descend into infighting and backstabbing. In the end, Hroshk kills Kratis.
• Killed Off for Real: By Eris, fittingly.
• The Right of a Superior Species: The Ssrisk line of thinking is strong with this guy.
• The Sociopath: He doesn't care one iota how may lives he ruins.
• Starter Villain: Played with. He serves as the earliest antagonist and Eris and Miguri escape him pretty easily, but he manages a triumphant return at the end of the novel to become the Big Bad. He becomes a Starter Villain in the long run though, as compared to Chasing Nonconformity's Fino'jin, he just doesn't measure up.
• Villainous Breakdown: He loses it after being defeated by Eris, going completely berserk and trying to murder everyone. Needless to say, he fails.

Tarsis

A soldier serving Captain Hroshk, who helps abduct Eris and is far less kind to her than Grashk.

• Asshole Victim: Nobody's mourning him. Even Grashk doesn't seem to care much that Varrin killed him.
• Killed Off for Real: Taking on Varrin was not the wisest idea.
• Red Shirt: He doesn't last long.

The Claktills

Korrim

The leader of the Claktill ship that Eris and Varrin commandeer to get the Nonconformity back.

• Hero Antagonist: Eris and Varrin don't want to oppose him, but need a ride on his ship to get the Nonconformity back. Eris in particular feels sympathy for him.
• Lovable Coward: He is not terribly brave.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Korrim is generally a pleasant leader, if not a brave one.
• Suicidal Pacifism: Like most Claktill, he has this. He refuses to attack Eris and Varrin when they take over his ship, and tries to be as accommodating as possible.

Kiguri Ma'aktilli

The great grandchild of Miguri. After his great grandparent's exile, Kiguri grew up hearing stories of his ancestor's actions, growing to admire him for his bravery and decision to stand up for the Claktill. Got quite a shock in Chasing Nonconformity when he ran into his great grandparent.

• Cool People Rebel Against Authority: A firm believer in this.
• Generation Xerox: Not in appearance, but in terms of his beliefs.
• Keet: And how!
• Little Stowaway: How he joins the team.
• Tagalong Kid: For awhile, before he and Miguri go off to have their own adventures.

The Tetrarchy

Alyra

A Psilosian who Eris and Miguri met as an undercover IFTAP agent. Since then she's tried to help Eris return home. Unfortunately her good intentions aren't matched by her competence, which usually spells disaster for everyone involved.

• Ambiguous Situation: It's unclear what happened to her following Chasing Nonconformity; where she is or if she even survived the explosion that destroyed the Nonconformity.
• Failure Hero: What she ultimately is. The only one of her plans that went right was her efforts to rescue Eris and Miguri, and even then she couldn't hold on to them for very long.
• Good Is Boring: Even after Eris and Miguri are rescued by her, they don't find her terribly interesting.
• Hero Antagonist: All she wants is to return Eris home, but her methods cause Eris all kinds of problems.
• Humans Are Morons: Seems to hold this belief. No matter how many times Eris tries to explain that she's happy in space, Alyra continues to believe that Eris is being tricked by Varrin, and couldn't possibly know what she wants.
• The Millstone: Alyra's efforts to return Eris home to Earth have only led to more trouble for Eris. Her final attempt in Chasing Nonconformity nearly kills Eris and Varrin.
• Mind Rape: What she had planned to do to Eris, wiping Eris's memories of her journey in space, regardless of what Eris thought on the matter.
• The Mole: For IFTAP in Chakra Corp. Unusually for her, she's actually quite good at it.
• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Her specialty. First she isn't able to rescue Eris and Miguri for several weeks, and then when she finally does rescue them she loses them shortly after. In Chasing Nonconformity, her attempts to get Eris home nearly get Sebara killed, and end up blowing up the Nonconformity.
• No Social Skills: Alyra doesn't seem to understand when she's being unhelpful, and seems incapable of understanding that Eris wants to stay with Varrin.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: All Alyra wants to do is get Eris home, but in the process she has tried to wipe Eris's memory, and later sent a giant robotic spider to attack Eris's friends.

Hm'Dala

Commander of the Peaceful Repose, a Psilosian ship that encounters the Nonconformity at the end of Imminent Danger. He attempts to return Eris home to Earth.

• Final Boss: In a sense. While he doesn't come into conflict with the heroes and is more of an annoyance at best, he is the final obstacle they face in returning to Earth.
• Humans Are Morons: He has this mindset even moreso than Alyra.
• Mind Rape: He plans to wipe Eris's memory of her time in space.
• Obstructive Bureaucrat: Like most Psilosians.
• Well-Intentioned Extremist: Like Alyra, he just wants to get Eris home.

Chakra Corp.

Ttrisklimysls/Doctor T

A Triila scientist working for Chakra Corp, who purchased Eris and Miguri to use in a series of unethical experiments that included removing Eris's brain. Unfortunately the Psilosian he purchased his test subjects from turned out to be an IFTAP agent, and they were soon freed.

• Cold-Blooded Torture: What he does to Eris and Miguri, in one of the more chilling parts of the series.
• Energy Beings: What he and all other Triila are.
• For Science!: His chief motivator.
• Karma Houdini: Unlike Captain Hroshk and Admiral Kratis, he escapes the novel unscathed, with his only punishment being the loss of his prisoners. Chasing Nonconformity shows Chakra Corp is still active, so presumably he's still playing Mad Scientist somewhere.
• Lack of Empathy: According to him, Triila are incapable of it.
• Mad Doctor: Doctor T may not be angry and volatile like the other villains in the series, but that doesn't make him any less insane.
• Mad Scientist Laboratory: He has a state of the art one, provided by Chakra Corp.
• Morally Ambiguous Doctorate: Doctor T couldn't care less about the suffering of his patients.
• Only Known by Their Nickname: His full name is given exactly once.
• Out of Focus: He doesn't appear in Chasing Nonconformity, though Chakra Corp does.
• Playing with Syringes: What he likes to do.
• The Sociopath: You'd have to be to do what he does. Doctor T implies this is a species trait, and Triila can't feel empathy.
• The Unpronounceable: How do you pronounce Ttrisklimysls? Doctor T is aware of this problem; hence the nickname.

Akaeli

A Chingun toxicologist for Chakra Corp, and an old friend of Varrin. Sought out by Eris and Varrin to help deal with Emperor Ka'zarel's poison.

• Cyborg: Like many Chinguns, she loves technology and has adapted it as a part of herself.
• Mad Scientist: Eris is understandably worried about this when she hears who Akaeli works for, but it's ultimately subverted.
• Nice Girl: Generally very upbeat, helpful and pleasant.
• The Smart Girl: Once she joins Eris and Varrin, she clearly proves herself to be the smartest member of the team.
• Token Good Teammate: Of Chakra Corp. She is friendly and helpful, and a good friend to Eris and Varrin.

Dr. Vado Vado

Akaeli's research partner, a Chessan who is recruited by Varrin to help find the Nonconformity.

• For Science!: He is just as passionate about his work as Doctor T, but is much more benevolent about it.
• Forgets to Eat: When Eris and Varrin meet him, he needs to be reminded that he worked through lunch. Akaeli implies this is a common occurrence.
• Omnidisciplinary Scientist: Capable of file encryption, and also works with a toxicologist.
• The Smart Guy: Even Varrin compliments his intellect.

Terrestrials

Karen Miller

Eris's mother, who was left behind on Earth when her daughter was abducted by aliens.

• Broken Bird: She hasn't had the happiest life.
• Does Not Like Men: Tried and failed to convince Eris that men were always trouble. It's implied this stems from her husband leaving her.
• Parents as People: Though not perfect, she clearly loves her daughter and was saddened by her disappearance.
• Put on a Bus: For obvious reasons, she hasn't been seen since Eris decided to stay in space permanently.

Lisa, Janice and Mallory

Eris's three roommates. Popular and airheaded, Eris did not get along with them, and their relationship did not improve when Eris began disappearing into space for long periods of time.

• Distracted by the Sexy: When they meet Varrin.
• The Ditz: All three of them. They likely got into Barlow Collegiate Institute through family connections.
• Dumb Blonde: Subverted, Lisa is the smartest of the three of them.
• Failed a Spot Check: They failed to notice that Eris had disappeared for months. Either that or they didn't care.
• Hidden Depths: Lisa, as it turns out. When she finds Eris crying after her breakup with Varrin, Lisa offers some insightful advice that helps Eris repair her relationship.
• Popular Is Dumb: All of them, though Lisa displays some moments of intelligence.
• Put on a Bus: When Eris decides to stay in space, they naturally stop appearing.

Dean Gresham

The dean of Barlow Collegiate Institute. When Eris returns to Earth for the first time in months, he asks to meet with her to determine where she's been.

• Adults Are Useless: When he sees an alien spaceship, he faints.
• Fainting: How he deals with seeing Miguri and the Nonconformity.
• Stern Teacher: He is not pleased that Eris disappeared for months.

Other Characters

Kalla

A Vekroni mercenary, with a Mysterious Past with Varrin. She runs into Eris and Varrin several times throughout Chasing Nonconformity, and isn't particularly happy about it.

• Big Bad Wannabe: She tries to make herself out to be Eris' arch nemesis, but she hasn't done much more than inconvenience Eris.
• Cat Girl: Like all Vekroni, she is this.
• Clingy Jealous Girl: She has some unresolved feelings for Varrin, and takes out her issues on Eris. She gets over this somewhat by the end of Chasing Nonconformity.
• Dark Action Girl: Kalla is a capable mercenary, but completely lacking in morality.
• Everyone Can See It: It's pretty clear that she's not over Varrin.
• Failure Is the Only Option: Her efforts to break up the Official Couple were never going to work.
• Hate at First Sight: With Eris. Understandable, since she tries to capture Eris and drag her off to a slave auction, before learning that Eris is dating her ex.
• Jerkass: She is not the friendliest of people.
• Only in It for the Money: Which means her loyalty can be bought fairly easily. This is something that Varrin eagerly exploits.
• Private Military Contractors: Just like Varrin.

Kraigoth

A charming and polite Scalkan who runs into Eris at the Starlight, and offers her the chance to leave Varrin. He is later encountered by Trystan and Sebara when they try to track Eris down.

• Ambiguously Evil: He genuinely cares for Eris, but is involved in criminal activity and does not deal with Trystan and Sebara kindly.
• Betty and Veronica: He appears to be the Betty in the situation. By Chasing Nonconformity, the roles are reversed.
• Beware the Nice Ones: He's friendly to Eris, but seems confident that he can take Varrin in a fight. It's unclear if he's ever SEEN Varrin in a fight, but he does claim to know Varrin somewhat well.
• Foreshadowing: He seems to be a perfect gentleman in Imminent Danger, but he has worked with Varrin in the past, and was hinted to be involved in some illegal dealings. In Chasing Nonconformity, Trystan and Sebara see what some of these dealings are.
• Romantic False Lead: Eris does not abandon Varrin for him.

Trade Lord Ysrin

A humanoid alien who attempts to auction off Eris. Things do not end well for him.

• Benevolent Boss: Kalla thinks so, anyway. At the very least, he pays her well.
• The Bus Came Back: He returns later in Chasing Nonconformity, when Fino'jin tracks him down while hunting for Varrin.
• Humanoid Aliens: He is said to resemble a human, but his exact species is never stated.
• Jerkass: What with being a slaver and all.
• Starter Villain: For Chasing Nonconformity.
• Underestimating Badassery: He really shouldn't have tried to take on Eris. His attempts to auction her off into slavery end with him being taken hostage.