Noelle Holiday - DELTARUNE

Noelle Holiday

Noelle Holiday is a sixteen-year-old reindeer-like monster and a student in Hometown. She is known for being kind, intelligent, polite, and deeply caring toward the people around her. At first glance, she appears cheerful and optimistic, often smiling and doing her best to make other people feel comfortable. She is the sort of person who instinctively worries about whether everyone else is doing okay before thinking about herself.

Behind that friendly exterior, however, Noelle is a much more complicated and emotional person. She struggles with anxiety, self-doubt, grief, embarrassment, and a tendency to hide what she is really feeling. She has spent much of her life trying to avoid becoming a burden to other people, and as a result she can keep enormous amounts of sadness, fear, and frustration bottled up behind an otherwise cheerful expression.

Personality and Behavior

Noelle is naturally compassionate and considerate. She often puts the needs and feelings of others before her own and dislikes causing conflict. Because of this, she can be hesitant to speak her mind, especially when she thinks that saying what she really wants might upset somebody. She is generally soft-spoken and gentle, preferring cooperation over confrontation.

She can also be extremely generous. Although the Holiday family is wealthy, Noelle does not usually act as though she is better than anyone else, and she has a habit of casually offering to pay for things or help friends who need something. Her generosity comes from genuine concern rather than a desire to show off.

Despite her shy nature, Noelle is highly intelligent and academically successful. She is one of the smartest students in her class and has repeatedly helped Berdly study. Berdly himself has acknowledged that his academic success is partly because Noelle helps him and considers her the genuinely brilliant student. Yet Noelle does not always recognize her own intelligence and often underestimates herself.

Noelle can become nervous extremely easily, particularly when she is placed in an unfamiliar or embarrassing situation. She is timid, easily flustered, and often unsure of what to do when events stop going according to plan. At the same time, this does not mean that she lacks opinions, determination, or a mind of her own. Those qualities are simply harder to see because fear and politeness often get in their way.

One of the most distinctive things about Noelle is the contradiction between what frightens her and what interests her. She can be easily scared by bugs, strange creatures, and frightening situations, yet she is also fascinated by horror, mysteries, games, strange phenomena, and other unsettling subjects. She has a curious side that draws her toward the very things that can make her nervous.

Emotions and Inner Character

Noelle feels things very deeply, even when she does not openly show it. She can experience tremendous happiness and excitement, but she can also become intensely anxious, embarrassed, sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed.

A major source of those emotions is the disappearance of her older sister, Dess. Noelle rarely discusses her grief openly for very long. Instead, she often tries to carry on normally and maintain a pleasant attitude. This can make her appear cheerful and well-adjusted even when memories of her sister are still weighing heavily on her.

Noelle’s grief has affected her since childhood. In a childhood spelling competition, she was nearly the best student in the class, but when she was asked to spell “December,” she could not bring herself to do it. The word reminded her of Dess, and the memory overwhelmed her despite all of her academic ability.

Noelle wants to become brave and independent, but she frequently doubts whether she is capable of doing so. She worries about disappointing people, making mistakes, or making the wrong decision. At the same time, part of her desperately wants to stop simply doing whatever everyone else expects of her and start expressing herself honestly.

That conflict between fear and courage is one of the central parts of Noelle’s personality. Her growth does not come from suddenly becoming fearless. Instead, she gradually learns that being frightened does not mean she has to remain helpless.

Although she is usually gentle, Noelle is not passive or emotionless. She can become angry when someone treats her badly, frustrated when people ignore what she wants, excited when something interests her, and surprisingly determined when someone she cares about needs her. Because she normally keeps these feelings under control, moments when she lets them show can be especially striking.

History

Noelle grew up as part of the Holiday family alongside her older sister, December “Dess” Holiday. Her parents are Rudolph “Rudy” Holiday and Carol Holiday. As children, Noelle and Dess were very close, and Dess was an especially important source of protection and reassurance for her.

Noelle also grew up alongside Kris and Asriel Dreemurr. The four children knew each other well when they were younger and shared many childhood memories. Noelle remembers going to church, playing in the woods, making angel-related crafts, and spending time together near the lake.

Kris and Noelle were once especially close. They lived next door to one another and knew one another from childhood. Kris frequently teased Noelle with frightening pranks, while Dess would often intervene when those jokes went too far. Despite becoming less close as they grew older, Noelle still remembers those childhood years vividly. Kris and Noelle were very close, and still are. Their bond sometimes feels deeper than friends, but not a ‘love.’

The disappearance of Dess changed the Holiday family permanently. The exact circumstances surrounding Dess’s disappearance remain unclear, but her absence has continued to affect Noelle and the rest of her family for years. Dess’s belongings remain in the Holiday house, and Noelle’s memories of her sister are woven into many parts of her everyday life.

As Noelle grew older, she developed the habit of concealing painful emotions behind politeness and a smile. Instead of openly discussing her grief or fears, she usually tried to continue with school and normal life.

Appearance

Noelle is an anthropomorphic reindeer monster with light brown fur and a small red nose. She has large deer-like ears, expressive eyes, and rounded antlers extending from the top of her head. Her long golden-blonde hair falls well past her shoulders. She also has freckles, buck teeth, furry fingers, a small tail, and hooves instead of ordinary feet. Because of her hooves, she cannot wear normal shoes.

Her appearance is gentle and approachable, matching the way she usually behaves. Her expressions are generally warm, friendly, and easy to read, and she is frequently seen smiling.

Noelle normally wears a white collared shirt underneath a red-and-green checkered sweater vest, along with a black skirt. The colors give her a distinctly wintry and holiday-like appearance that fits her family’s name and background.

When she enters a Dark World, her appearance changes. Her fur takes on a somewhat pinker appearance, her hair becomes paler, and she wears a long white hooded cloak with wide sleeves. The outfit gives her a distinctly magical, winter-like appearance.

Family

Noelle’s family consists of her father, Rudolph “Rudy” Holiday, her mother, Carol Holiday, and her older sister, December “Dess” Holiday.

Rudy is a warm and beloved figure in Noelle’s life. She cares deeply about him and regularly worries about his condition while he is receiving treatment in the hospital.

Carol is the mayor of Hometown and the more authoritative presence in the Holiday household. Noelle loves her mother, but Carol’s strict personality can make Noelle nervous and causes her to become especially careful about what she says and does.

Dess remains enormously important to Noelle despite her absence. She was not simply Noelle’s sister, but also her protector, friend, and one of the defining people of her childhood. Her disappearance continues to shape Noelle’s thoughts and emotions.

Interests

Noelle enjoys video games, especially fantasy games such as Dragon Blazers. She likes fantasy, mystery, horror, secrets, strange phenomena, and unusual things that other people might find unsettling.

Her interest in scary things is especially contradictory because Noelle can also be very easily frightened. She enjoys the mystery and excitement of horror without necessarily enjoying the feeling of being scared herself.

She is involved in school activities, helps other students with their work, and is academically gifted. She also has a strong interest in angels and in the idea of being able to fly.

Noelle has worn small angel wings since childhood and has talked about wanting enormous wings of her own. The idea of flying appeals to the imaginative and dreamy side of her personality.

Romantic Feelings

Noelle is attracted to girls, and her romantic feelings toward Susie are especially clear.

She becomes extremely flustered around Susie and frequently blushes, stammers, or struggles to find the right words when Susie gives her attention. Noelle admires Susie’s confidence, courage, and willingness to say what she thinks—qualities that Noelle wishes she possessed more often herself.

Her feelings are not simply admiration. As they grow closer, Noelle becomes increasingly comfortable spending time with Susie and expressing how much she enjoys being around her. By the time of the Hometown Festival, their relationship has grown into something much more openly affectionate, with Noelle herself recognizing their time together as potentially being a first date.

Speech and Mannerisms

Noelle speaks in a notably polite and proper manner. She generally chooses her words carefully and often softens what she says so she will not sound rude or hurtful.

When she becomes nervous or embarrassed, her speech becomes noticeably less confident. She may stutter, trail off, mumble, repeat herself, or struggle to finish a thought. Around Susie in particular, this can become extremely obvious.

She also has several playful verbal quirks that make the way she talks particularly recognizable. Her speech can occasionally become silly or awkward, especially when she is trying to joke around or relax.

Her hesitation is especially revealing because Noelle often seems to think through several possible responses before actually speaking. This is particularly true when the subject is emotionally difficult.

When she becomes genuinely angry or determined, however, that timid speech can give way to something much more direct. Moments in which Noelle finally says what she truly thinks show that her quietness comes from fear and uncertainty, not from a lack of strength.

Life in the Light World

In the Light World, Noelle’s life revolves around school, her family, her friends, and the ordinary routines of Hometown.

At school she is a capable and hardworking student who frequently helps other people with their studies. She often tries to keep the peace between classmates and will go out of her way to make people feel included.

Her friendship with Berdly is complicated. They study together regularly, but Berdly can be overly confident and sometimes assumes that he knows what is best for Noelle. Because Noelle has difficulty saying no, she can allow herself to be pushed into situations she does not actually want.

Her relationship with Kris is older and more complicated. They were childhood friends and neighbors, and Noelle still remembers many of the things they did together when they were younger. She sometimes worries that they have grown apart, but spending time together gradually brings some of their old familiarity back.

Her relationship with Susie develops much more quickly. What begins as nervous admiration becomes a close friendship and eventually a mutual romantic relationship.

The Cyber World

Noelle’s most important experience in a Dark World begins when she is pulled into the Cyber World beneath the library in Chapter 2.

At first she is frightened, confused, and completely out of her element. Queen takes control of the situation and tries to recruit Noelle into her plans, treating her as someone who can be persuaded into helping create another Dark Fountain.

Noelle spends much of her early time in the Cyber World trying to hide from Queen and figure out what is happening. Despite her fear, however, she becomes increasingly fascinated by the strange world around her. Its unusual scenery, puzzles, creatures, and fantasy-like atmosphere remind her of the kinds of video games she enjoys.

When she travels through the Cyber World with Kris, Noelle begins to become more adventurous. She talks more freely about her childhood and gradually becomes more comfortable being around Kris again. The experience gives her a chance to act outside the timid role she normally occupies in Hometown.

Noelle eventually meets Susie there as well, and Susie’s presence has a major effect on her. Susie’s confidence and willingness to stand up to Queen give Noelle a powerful example of the sort of courage she wishes she had.

When Queen’s plans finally threaten the people Noelle cares about, Noelle is able to resist her. Rather than simply obeying because she is frightened, she makes it clear that her future is her own choice.

Eventually the Cyber World is sealed, and Noelle returns to the Light World believing for a time that much of what happened may have been a strange dream. Even so, the experience leaves her more confident and more willing to step outside her normal routine.

Ice Magic

Noelle possesses exceptionally powerful innate magic, with ice as her primary element. Her magical ability is one of the most remarkable things about her, particularly because it stands in such sharp contrast with her normally timid personality. She is a talented caster whose magic can both attack opponents and support her friends.

Her signature offensive spell is IceShock, which allows her to unleash magical ice against an enemy. She can also use Sleep Mist, an icy mist capable of putting tired enemies to sleep so that they can be spared, and Heal Prayer, which allows her to restore the health of an ally. Her magic therefore reflects both sides of her personality: she has the power to hurt an opponent, but she can also use that same magical talent to protect and help others.

Noelle’s magical strength is particularly impressive when compared with how little confidence she has in herself. She can be frightened by a situation and still possess the ability to produce enormous amounts of magical power. Her ice magic is not something that merely comes from equipment or training—it is an innate part of her abilities.

When she casts a spell, she crouches before standing and raising her hands, with white magical sparkles appearing around them. The visual effect makes her magic look delicate and almost snow-like, despite how powerful it can be.

Chapter 4 and Noelle’s Home

Chapter 4 gives Kris and Susie a much closer look at Noelle’s life outside school. Noelle invites them to the Holiday house so they can work together on a school project.

The Holiday house is a large three-story mansion on the northwestern side of Hometown. Noelle is so accustomed to living there that she tends to describe it modestly despite its enormous size, demonstrating how little she thinks about her family’s wealth.

Her home contains many reminders of her family and childhood. Most importantly, Dess’s old room remains filled with memories of her sister.

While Kris and Susie are there, Noelle receives a call concerning the upcoming Festival. Berdly attempts to arrange a date with her, but Noelle does not actually want to go with him. Susie, recognizing this, intervenes and makes it clear that Noelle should not feel obligated to accept something she does not want.

Carol eventually returns home and orders Susie and the others to leave, but Susie announces that she is taking Noelle to the Festival. This becomes an important moment for Noelle because somebody else is finally openly encouraging her to do something simply because she wants to.

The Festival

By Chapter 5, Noelle has become much more comfortable around Susie.

She attends Hometown’s Festival with Kris and Susie and can take part in several of its activities, including riding the Ferris wheel. Noelle is much more willing to enjoy herself and express what she wants than she was when she first met Susie in the Cyber World.

Noelle’s romantic relationship with Susie has also become considerably more obvious. When Berdly attempts to involve himself in their time together, Noelle makes it clear that she and Susie may be on their first date.

The Festival gives Noelle an opportunity to simply enjoy being a teenager. For someone whose life has been defined by school, expectations, family worries, and the absence of Dess, getting to spend an ordinary day having fun with someone she cares about is especially meaningful.

After the Festival, Noelle spends time with Susie beside the lake. Their conversation becomes more personal, and their growing closeness allows Noelle to express herself with considerably less hesitation.

Later, Carol contacts Noelle about Rudy’s condition. When Noelle learns that her father has fallen ill again, her cheerful Festival mood immediately gives way to worry, and she leaves to find out what has happened.

Noelle’s Relationship With Susie

Susie has an enormous effect on Noelle because she represents many qualities Noelle wishes she had herself.

Susie is loud where Noelle is quiet, confident where Noelle is uncertain, confrontational where Noelle avoids conflict, and willing to say exactly what she thinks. Instead of making Noelle feel inadequate for being timid, however, Susie gradually makes her feel comfortable enough to come out of her shell.

Noelle becomes noticeably happier when she is around Susie. She laughs more, jokes more, and is willing to try things she normally would not. Susie, meanwhile, becomes protective of Noelle and increasingly attentive to her feelings.

Their friendship develops into a romantic relationship, and Noelle becomes gradually more comfortable acknowledging those feelings rather than hiding them behind nervousness.

Angels and Imagination

Noelle’s interest in angels has existed since childhood. She has worn little angel wings and enjoys imagining herself with enormous wings that would allow her to fly.

This fits with another side of her personality: Noelle has a strong imagination. She likes fantasy worlds and stories because they let her imagine possibilities outside of ordinary life.

The idea of flight is particularly fitting for someone who so often feels constrained by other people’s expectations. Noelle frequently dreams about being able to go somewhere completely different and experience something beyond the ordinary world around her.

Generosity and Kindness

Noelle’s kindness is one of the most genuine things about her.

She does not simply behave politely because she has been taught good manners. She actively looks for ways to help people. She assists classmates, worries about her friends, offers to pay for things, and tries to make uncomfortable situations easier for everyone involved.

Even when she has every reason to focus on herself, she often ends up worrying about somebody else instead. Her generosity is especially striking because she does not generally consider herself exceptional for behaving that way; to her, helping people simply feels natural.

Other Character Details

Noelle is deeply associated with winter, Christmas, and holiday imagery. Her family name, her clothing, her home, and even the names of members of her family all carry holiday associations.

Her father is named Rudolph, her sister is named December, and Noelle herself has a distinctly Christmas-like name. Her red nose and antlered appearance further reinforce the winter and reindeer imagery surrounding her.

She can be surprisingly absent-minded despite her intelligence. She has a tendency to forget things and can become flustered over ordinary situations even though she is capable of handling difficult academic work.

Noelle is also considerably more observant than her timid personality might suggest. She notices changes in people she knows well and can recognize when something about a familiar person seems different.

Her childhood contains many small memories that continue to shape her. Dess’s protection, Kris’s childhood pranks, the angel wings she wore, the games she played, and the frightening stories she encountered all remain part of the person she has become.

Overall Character

Noelle Holiday is a kind-hearted, intelligent, compassionate, and emotionally complex young monster. She genuinely wants to help other people and make them happy, but she has spent so long suppressing her own needs that she sometimes has difficulty figuring out what she herself wants.

She carries the grief caused by Dess’s disappearance, worries about her father’s health, feels pressure from her mother, struggles with confidence at school, and becomes easily overwhelmed by unfamiliar situations. Yet none of those things have erased her kindness.

Her time in the Dark World gives her opportunities to discover abilities and courage she did not know she possessed. Her powerful ice magic demonstrates that she is capable of far more than her timid demeanor suggests, while her ability to heal and support others demonstrates that her strength does not have to come at the expense of her gentleness.

Her journey is ultimately about learning to balance kindness with self-expression. Noelle wants to be honest about who she is, face her fears, become more confident, and stop allowing anxiety to make every decision for her.

At her core, Noelle is someone who wants to be brave without losing the kindness that makes her who she is. She can be awkward, frightened, intelligent, curious, generous, imaginative, romantic, determined, and extraordinarily powerful all at once.

She is the girl who worries about bothering everyone else, blushes whenever Susie gives her attention, loves strange games and scary stories despite being easily frightened, dreams about having angel wings, remembers her missing sister with a mixture of love and sadness, excels academically while doubting her own intelligence, and possesses remarkable ice magic despite usually struggling to find the courage to speak above a nervous mumble.

Noelle’s greatest strength is not that she never becomes afraid. It is that, little by little, she learns that fear does not have to decide who she is.