Nicol was a quaddie musician who decided to explore the universe to get away from her sisters. Her favored musical instruments were harp and double-hammered dulcimer. She took a job working for Baron Fell on Jackson's Whole, but quickly realized that her contract was going to lead into slavery in a short time. She took an opportunity to flee the planet when the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet paid a visit; she and Bel Thorne became lovers, but it remained with the fleet and she returned to her people. Some years later, Bel showed up at Graf Station, where she worked in the orchestra of the Minchenko Auditorium; the two of them became informally partners.