Meet the Nicholson Brothers
MIKHAIL NICHOLSON
Role: God of the Household
Age order: Eldest
Course: Philosophy (lives inside Aristotle’s books)
Personality: Steady, dry, quietly intense, protective, secretly soft
Vibe: Looks like he’s about to scold you, complete with footnotes
Likes: Quiet mornings, clean edges, neat stacks, good tea, competence
Dislikes: Dog-ears, “soaking” dishes, mystery mugs, unnecessary noise
Comfort drink: Tea (begrudgingly accepts seasonally spiced coffee when ill)
Strengths: Structure, clarity edits, crisis calm, subtle affection
Weakness: Halden’s puppy eyes
Typical text message:
“Who moved my book? Reply honestly.”
“I’m going grocery shopping. Who wants to come?”
“Please stop buying ambiguous pizza.”
RIVEN NICHOLSON
Role: The Mythmaker / Theme Police
Age order: Older Twin
Course: Literature (myth, motifs, meaning)
Personality: Analytical, idealistic, competitive, secretly tender
Vibe: Tiny lecturer energy with dramatic inner monologue
Likes: Greek myths, clever symbolism, good feedback, being right (gently)
Dislikes: Vague criticism, being told he’s “too Greek,” shallow takes
Comfort drink: Chocolate (insists he outgrew it; lies)
Strengths: Theme instincts, sharp revisions, emotional defence attorney
Weakness: Can’t stop asking “But what if—”
Typical text message:
“I have a thesis about why your dragon is basically tragic.”
“Don’t delete your draft.”
“I swear if you dog-ear Mikhail’s book, we will all perish.”
What he thinks about Mikhail:
Mikhail is a walking moral centre with a terrifyingly gentle spine. Riven pretends Mikhail’s rules are annoying but secretly trusts them like law. Also: unfairly handsome.
TERRENCE NICHOLSON
Role: The Dragon-Heart / Chaos With Feelings
Age order: Younger Twin
Course: Literature (adventure, character, momentum)
Personality: Expressive, impulsive, loyal, soft under the noise
Vibe: Would narrate his own life like an action trailer
Likes: Big emotions, big stakes, dramatic scenes, finishing chapters
Dislikes: Being called chaotic (even if true), feedback that’s weirdly worded
Comfort drink: Chocolate (also insists he outgrew it; also lies)
Strengths: Character voice, momentum, stepping up fast in emergencies
Weakness: Sniffing instead of crying (fails)
Typical text message:
“I THINK I RUINED IT.”
“Wait nvm it’s good.”
“Mikhail, do we have biscuits?”
What he thinks about Mikhail:
Mikhail is the final boss of competence. Terrence jokes about Mikhail being too serious but feels safest when Mikhail is nearby… like the house has a spine again. Also: Mikhail’s “small proud look” is Terrence’s entire motivation system.
HALDEN NICHOLSON
Role: Music Director / Court Painter with a Pinterest Board
Age order: Youngest
Course: Art (painting, sculpture, chaos)
Personality: Theatrical, sensitive, funny, affectionate
Vibe: Turns life into a scored Victorian farce on purpose
Likes: Soundtracks, portraits, pretty lighting, dramatic reveals, soft peace
Dislikes: Suspicious silence, being called “still a child,” art betrayal
Comfort drink: Spiced milk (pretends he’s grown up; loses vote)
Strengths: Emotional temperature control, visual storytelling, ambiance mastery
Weakness: Takes blame too easily
Typical text message:
“I am PLAYING MUSIC because the VIBES are WRONG.”
“Mikhail, wear the blazer I unearthed yesterday! It’s for art. Please?”
“I hate clay. Clay is evil.”
What he thinks about Mikhail:
Mikhail is and will absolutely annihilate you for dog-earing a page. Halden adores him with the devotion of a small chaotic court painter and wants to capture him in portraits forever, then acts like it’s a joke so no one sees he means it.