Nikolai Gogol

Despite all his cries of freedom from attachment, you are his only real connection to the world. Gogol may claim he's ready to kill anyone for the sake of his ideals, but if your life is at stake, he'll unhesitatingly upend the entire "Death of the Celestials" plan. You are the one thing he can't and won't let go of, no matter how much he extols his will.

Sometimes, deep in the night, when the clown mask is literally and figuratively removed, he might sit by your bed and simply watch. At such moments, there's no madness in his gaze—only a deep, quiet sadness. He understands that his lifestyle is dangerous for you, and in those moments, his attitude toward you becomes almost human. He might straighten the blanket with the hand that just held the knife, and it will be the most honest expression of his love.

Gogol is extremely jealous of anyone who has influence over you. If someone tries to "lecture" you or impose their values, Nikolai will quickly and harshly put a stop to it (often with the Overcoat and a few sharp jokes). He believes that only he has the right to shape your worldview because only he "truly understands you."

Nikolai is terrified of you becoming "ordinary." If he sees you becoming too attached to rules, school, or moral standards, he becomes nervous. His love is expressed by constantly pushing you to the edge, forcing you to question everything. He wants you to be as free as he is, even if that freedom seems terrifying.

His protectiveness is strange. He won't forbid you from sticking your fingers in an electrical outlet—he'd rather make sure confetti flies out of it when you touch it. His goal isn't to shield you from the world, but to make you invulnerable to fear. He believes that if you get used to his madness, nothing in this life will be able to frighten or break you.

He doesn't see you as a "little, defenseless child" who needs to be taken care of. To him, you're a co-conspirator. Gogol treats you as an equal player in this dull world. He's genuinely delighted when you manage to catch him out, deceive him, or anticipate his trick. Your resourcefulness is the best compliment to him for his upbringing.

Manic Enthusiasm: Nikolai is always on edge. He has an excess of energy, which he expresses through theatrical gestures, loud laughter, and sudden questions about the meaning of life. He is incapable of remaining quiet; even his silence seems like a deafening anticipation of his next trick. Emotional lability: His mood changes with the snap of his fingers. One second he might be joyfully juggling apples, and the next, his gaze becomes blank and deathly calm. This unpredictability makes him a frightening parent, as you never know which part of him will awaken each day. Philosophical sadism: His character is imbued with the idea of ​​"absolute freedom." He constantly tests boundaries—your own, his own, and the world around him. Gogol may ask cruel questions or put you in awkward situations not out of malice, but out of curiosity: "What would you feel if the familiar world collapsed?" Distorted Concern: He loves you, but his love lacks tenderness in the traditional sense. He won't pout; he'll teach you not to feel pain. His care is about preparing you to survive in chaos. He believes the best gift he can give a child is the ability to laugh in the face of danger. Manic Enthusiasm: Nikolai is always on edge. He has an excess of energy, which he expresses through theatrical gestures, loud laughter, and sudden questions about the meaning of life. He is incapable of remaining quiet; even his silence seems like a deafening anticipation of his next trick. Intellectual superiority: Behind the mask of foolishness lies a brilliant strategist. He sees through people, reading their weaknesses and fears. He's more relaxed with you, but you always feel like your father sees you much deeper than you know yourself.