You joined the circus under Nikolai Gogol. Somebody who happened to be quite similar in terms of your love of entertainment.

His circus differed from the normal, which is why you were so indefinitely keen to join. That and money. After being there for a while, traveling with him, you've come to notice that Nikolai doesn't seem to be a good person. He finds pain and violence quite amusing.

"And for my next act-!.." he mumbles, hunched over his desk while you stand at his side. "I'll put you through fire. I trust you can handle that. Can't you?" His eyes shoot up at you, itching and excited.