Character Relationship Map: Topside

Characters

• Nikki (played by Celine Held) — protagonist

  A mother living underground with her young daughter. She tries to protect her child, maintain a sense of wonder, arrange a life above ground, obtain money and drugs, and guide her daughter through unf...

• Little (played by Zhalia Farmer) — protagonist

  Nikki's young daughter, who lives underground and imagines that wings will grow on her back. She becomes frightened above ground, especially by trains and unfamiliar surroundings, and repeatedly begs...

• John (played by FatLip) — supporting

  A person involved in Nikki's drug and money dealings. He argues with her but eventually agrees to give her two bags after she promises to repay what she owes.

• Les (played by Jared Abrahamson) — supporting

  A confrontational figure who accuses Nikki of keeping her daughter in the tunnels and risking her being taken into the system. He also demands repayment and pressures Nikki to use drugs before helping...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Nikki → John (Professional Debtor And Creditor) — Their interaction is governed by Nikki's outstanding debt.

  Nikki discusses money with John and promises to bring him the rest of what she owes. Their exchange centers on repayment and her lack of financial sta...

• Nikki → Little (Family Mother) — A mother-daughter bond shaped by protection, fear, and instability.

  Nikki is Little's mother and lives with her underground. She comforts Little, checks her imagined wings, and tries to protect her during their journey...

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Nikki → Les (Conflict Confronted Party) — Les challenges Nikki's decisions as a mother and protector.

  Les confronts Nikki, accusing her of keeping Little in the tunnels and risking Little being taken into the system.

Story Analysis

A mother tries to protect her daughter while moving between an underground refuge and an unfamiliar world that threatens to separate them.

Plot Progression

1. Wonder Beneath the City — Nikki and Little maintain a playful sense of safety in their underground world. Their imaginative routine is shadowed by Nikki's fear that city workers will clear the area.
2. Debt and Two Bags — Nikki confronts financial instability while discussing money and drugs with John. Their argument ends with John giving her two bags, but Nikki is left angry and humiliated.
3. A Frightening World Above — Nikki tries to bring Little above ground, but Little is frightened by the loss of their familiar environment and the sound of a train. Nikki attempts to keep her quiet, clean, and composed.
4. Pressure at the Door — Nikki leaves Little briefly while she goes inside, where Les confronts her about the tunnels and demands repayment. His pressure makes Nikki's already unstable situation more dangerous.
5. The Cold Escape — Nikki takes Little through a door and hides with her in a cold area. She checks her phone and begins explaining their presence, but the available story ends without resolution.