My liver is not feeling this segment today, for some reason. Give me a minute. Gotta stretch. Take a few deep breaths. Shake out the pain of Orlando’s bull from last chapter.
…Alright.
First of all, I’m redesigning the drinking game. Why? Nick isn’t invisible anymore. That was like the only full-drink hit. It’s kind of a bad drinking game now. If I’m doing this, I’m doing it right.
NIFLHEIM PALE GHOST ROUTE DRINKING GAME, REVISED
- Orlando is an asshole – 1 sip (If you I’m gonna make it more after the disaster that was chapter 5, you’ve got another thing coming.)
- Nick says he’s better off disappearing from this mortal (undead?) coil – 2 sips
- Nick can’t believe he’s not invisible anymore – 2 sips
- Skeletiano loses a bone – 2 sips
- Skeletiano falls apart completely – Finish drink
- Jean touches you without permission – 2 sips
- Victor acts weird – 1 sip
- Nick apologizes – 2 sips
- MC tries to fix Nick with food – Finish drink
Let’s do this thing.
When we last left off, MC was trying her best to keep Nick from literally just leaping out of a window. He’s sitting on the sofa, calmed but not happy. He apologizes profusely as MC picks up the cup he broke (R.I.P. teacup, may you be reawoken in Niflheim to marry a teapot prince). MC says that being trapped in a senseless void would make her kinda crazypants too, and Nick is simply silent. MC thanks him for sharing his fears with her, and he apologizes. [2 sips] MC tells him it isn’t his fault, but Nick justifiably points out the vortex was talking him specifically. MC asks him if he’d rather listen to her or some weird swirling void, and he admits she has a point. She continues, pointing out that he made the chance to take her hand and run to Niflheim. This seems to brighten up his mood a bit and instill him with some determination, straight Undertale style.
MC keeps talking, though, saying that his visions are simple nightmares. That darkens his mood again, and he asks her a strange question.
MC rejects that notion without hesitation. The voice in the vortex, she says, was quite dreadful. Nothing like Nick’s. He insists, though, saying that he’s been wondering if the other person in his dream was just another version of himself. MC just tells him he needs a nap. 
Nick wants to stay up, afraid he’ll have another nightmare. MC insists he gets some rest, however, and fetches him a fluffy blanket. Nick mumbles that the blanket is warm and soothing, just like her. It’s like she’s wrapped around him instead of the blanket. I’m sad to say this made me laugh more than it made me go swoon, but it’s sweet I guess. 
MC pats his back and sings him a lullaby like he’s just a wee babby ghost, and eventually he falls asleep.
The following morning, MC suggests they go into town and ask around if there’s a chance someone from Nick’s family lives in Niflheim. Nick doesn’t feel positive about it, but eventually gives in, saying he can save the depression for after they look. Hah, at least he’s self-aware. This is a pretty positive attitude for Nick, honestly. They head out, first speaking to Victor… who has nothing to contribute other than weird behavior. [1 sip.] They ask Phillipe next, and he’s of no help either. Finally, they return to the castle and ask King Jean if he knows anything. He knows nothing of course, but suddenly says that Nick’s forgetting something. He continues that everyone who exists in Niflheim does so at his will, so he surely had something to do with Nick being there.
Wait, what?! He has a point, I guess… but this is confirmation Jean’s basically some weird Niflheimian God. That’s been hinted at, but now it’s for sure. Nick and MC are both totally excited by this development.
Okay. If I were MC I’d be horrified that the fate of everyone I know and love is in the hands of a manchild wearing the shirt equivalent of assless chaps, but okay.
Nick and MC are so excited they hold hands and grin at each other, and the king is angry they’re “doing PDAs.”
Jean, are you a soccer mom trying to sound like a hip teen on the internet? Nobody says “doing PDAs.” MC distracts the king from this train of thought by asking if he has any more memories of the day Nick appeared, and Jean responds by saying that a date with MC might jog his memory. Excuse me?
MC is just as grossed out by this proposition as I am.
The king says that in that case, he won’t tell her anything even if he knows. This motherfucker. DRAG HIM, MC!
MC is angry as hell but weighing her options. What if it’s worth the information? We get the option to agree or refuse, and even though I really want to refuse, my walkthrough tells me to agree.
Let me be clear with you, King Jean. If this walkthrough didn’t tell me to spare you…
MC reluctantly agrees to go on a date with the king, which is all it takes for Nick to totally lose his cool. He steps between MC and the king and radiates hatred all over the place. Even without seeing him, the king can feel his rage.
Nick: “Tell him no.”
The king reiterates that this would mean shutting off their only lead, but Nick is having none of it. He shouts that he won’t allow the king to date MC, which shocks everyone present. Then Nick grabs MC’s hand and declares that the king has no reliable information to give anyway, rage power-walking back to the room with MC in tow. The second they’re in the room, Nick’s mood shifts from angry to awkward and he frets that he may have been too forceful with MC’s hand. She’s pleased that he stood up for her, however, and says he didn’t hurt her hand at all. However, it does seem like Nick was mostly just pissed at the idea of her dating someone else, rather than being angry that she was being blackmailed. MC is my girl, though, and brings it back to the more important point.
Nick chuckles and is happy to hear it, saying again that he really doesn’t want to see her dating anyone period. He quickly becomes mortified about saying that out loud. She asks him why he feels that way, but he has no answer. Oh, please, you know exactly why. Ghosty wants your smooches. 
In any case, the atmosphere quickly becomes extremely awkward. MC’s solution? Making him some tea. [Welp, time to finish this drink.]
Once the tea’s ready, Nick is calm enough to state his feelings more concisely. Essentially, he’s worried that he’ll lose his relationship with MC if they find out who he really is. He’s painfully self aware that trying to keep her to himself is selfish and inappropriate, but he can’t help but feel possessive.
MC comforts him and assures him that their relationship won’t end simply because other people enter their lives. To his credit, Nick is super aware that his mindset isn’t healthy, and he wants to be honest with MC. This exchange comes across as a very genuine attempt to discuss unhealthy behaviors. Props to the writer, honestly. Nick leans his head on MC’s shoulder, apologizing for his behavior. MC jokes that he’s acting pampered, and smiles that it’s a sign of trust. [Nick apologizes a few times and also says a lot of downer stuff in this exchange. Full drink.]
At this point, we get out first non-premium CG.
Nick asks MC to sing for him to help him sleep. MC wants to go get a blanket, but Nick’s still being a baby and just wants snuggles. She acquiesces. Once he falls asleep, we get a choice to fetch a blanket or stop singing. I do the former, and Nick wakes up and asks MC to stay before falling back asleep.
Nick has been dozing for about half an hour when MC’s door flies open. It’s Orlando, ruiner of all good things. He exclaims frantically that Niflheim is in great danger.
END OF CHAPTER 06
Chapter Thoughts: Dear Jean,
And your little fluffy blonde dog, too.
Drinks Consumed: Half a pitcher (
) of what I can only call “yellow drink.” It’s a homemade concoction consisting of various fruit juices, peach schnapps and a lot of vodka. It tastes like passionfruit and bad decisions. For the first time since I started this corner, I am well and truly buzzed.
I’m out.