"Natalia knows the scientific and common names of every species of flora or fauna".Above is Bahiti’s impression of Natalia, the young prodigy. Natalia possesses knowledge far beyond her years, having studied ecology, geology, and astronomy.
Yet Natalia's most extraordinary ability is to communicate with and befriend wild animals. She is a good companion for fellow survivors as well, although she tends to talk non-stop on topics of of her own interest.
Natalia was little more than a baby when she met the grizzly cub Kasia. The cub was separated from its family, and wouldn’t have survived in the wilderness alone. Natalia and her father took Kasia in and raised it into a strong beast. The two were inseparable, and the cross-species bond is strong. After the passing of Natalia’s father, they depended on each other and survived together in the long winter...
Natalia's father Tyle is a "planetary ecologist". By comparing soil samples throughout the years, Tyle concluded that the global cooling process might be slowing, and could even reverse at some point in the near future. This observation filled him with optimism. Tyle had also begun work on self-sustaining heat sources with experimental fire crystals. Even Phaethon took great interest in Tyle's work and began to sponsor his research...
Tyle's fire crystal technology was the greatest accomplishment of his scientific career. It had the potential to help all humankind, but can also cause disasters in the wrong hands. Tyle soon realized his sponsor was much more interested in personal gains than the greater good. Tyle passed his most crucial research notes to Natalia before his death at Phaethon's hands. He hoped that Natalia might finish his designs. Tyle’s noble sacrifice continues to inspire Natalia.