Nikke: Nullable Type

Back at the Outpost, around 4 AM.

A suburban home that Dorothy had claimed as her own since she routinely went back and forth from the Outpost to the Ark.

There, all the members of Goddess except for their leader, Lilith, had gathered along with their Legendary Commander.

Scarlet poured everyone another round of sake shots and said, "Tis most fortunate to be able to break merry with such companions despite the years."

Red Hood laughed and grabbed her shot glass. "Tell me about it. Didn't think I'd ever get a chance to just chat with you all again after I got corrupted. Right, Snow?"

Snow White grabbed her own shot glass and sighed. "I'm still getting used to the fact that you're still alive. And the exact same."

"Hey!" Red Hood looked upset and said, "What's that supposed to mean? Aren't you happy I'm still here?"

"I am. But I was expecting you to be a bit more mature with all the years that passed..."

Red Hood laughed. "You say that, but you haven't changed a bit, Snow."

"E-Excuse me!" Snow White huffed. "Of course I have! I got taller! I'm stronger! I'm more mature-"

Dorothy chuckled as she took her own shot. "The lady doth protest too much, I do believe."

Andersen laughed as he took his shotglass too. "Give it up, Snow. Even if you act mature, you're still the same inside. I mean, time doesn't change much. Look at me. I'm an old fart now, but I still kick it with the kids."

Snow White groaned.

Rapunzel chuckled as she took her own shot glass and said, "Whatever the case may be..." She closed her eyes in prayer and said, "I thank you, Lord, for bringing us together after all this time."

Andersen was quiet and a soft smile crossed his face. "...Yeah."

So much time had passed since those days in the past where they ran around everywhere together trying to save the world.

So much had happened to them all as well.

But despite it all, they were still here. Together. After all this time.

Andersen raised his glass and said, "Cheers."

After a round of 'Cheers' echoing in the room, the members of Goddess shared a toast and then finished their shots.

Red Hood looked over at Andersen and said, "I'm surprised, Boss. You're keeping up with us. What are we... Five bottles in?"

Andersen chuckled and said, "I've been upgraded, so don't worry about me. I'm quite durable." He furrowed his brow and said, "Unlike my son."

Dorothy let out a long suffering sigh. "I still cannot believe that young man. Not only running away from us, but escaping responsibility and explanations... What was he thinking, showcasing Pretty's revival like that?"

Red Hood laughed and said, "If there's anything I know about Lil Boss, there's the fact that he's rarely planning things. I bet that was an accident."

Dorothy gave Red Hood a blank stare. "An accident. You expect me to believe that our nephew, the reckless, competent, and savant of a researcher... caused Pretty to be reborn amidst so many witnesses as an accident?" She paused. "...Who am I kidding?" She sighed. "...He is Commander's son. It doesn't surprise me."

"Hey." Andersen waved his glass at Dorothy and said, "I'm not that bad."

Dorothy rolled her eyes at Andersen and said, "One time, we were cornered with Lilith too far to offer support, Commander. And you threw a banana peel."

Andersen paused. "...Huh?"

Snow White let out a long suffering sigh. "I remember that. I can't believe that's what led to the breakthrough that you could stun Raptures by acting ridiculous..."

Rapunzel giggled and said, "Commander does have a penchant for the inane that works out for the better. One might say he even has the Lord's favor on his side!"

Andersen rolled his eyes. "I wish. Pretty sure I'm on his blacklist after I murdered all but one member of the V.T.C.'s higher ups."

Scarlet poured herself another shot of sake and said, "Yes. Thous didst- Dow dist... Argh. Accursed tongue!" Scarlet pouted and then sighed. With great reluctance, she spoke normally and said, "You did mention that. What happened?"

Andersen looked amused. "Oho? Alcohol getting to you, Scarlet?"

Scarlet sighed. "Despite enjoying the taste, I dost lack the tolerance for spirits..."

Andersen watched as Scarlet slurred her words ever so slightly and chuckled. "It probably doesn't help that you were drinking all night with your sister, does it?"

Dorothy adjusted Pinne on her side, making sure the memento shotgun she received from her dear friend was fine. Then she said, "Yes, where is Rose anyway?"

Red Hood chuckled.

Snow White gave Red Hood a side eye. "...Red."

"Whaaat?" Red Hood downed her shot. "Not like I know who Lil Boss is doing or not."

Scarlet slammed her hand on the table, her face a beet red. "MY NEPHEW IS BEING INTIMATE WITH MY OLDER SISTER?!"

"Dunno~" Red Hood smirked as she cracked open a bottle of wine. "You'll have to go look for yourself."

Rapunzel's eyes turned pink and she said, "I volunteer!"

Andersen sighed, massaging his temples. "...Could we not talk about my son's sex life? Or the fact that you're interested in having one with him?"

Rapunzel blushed. "I-I suppose there is a time and place- WAIT!" She looked at Andersen. "Commander! Does that mean you approve?"

"...You are both adults. If you consent, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it other than roast my son every chance I get."

Rapunzel jumped in the air, letting out a triumphant smile. "YES!"

Snow White paused and looked over at Red Hood. "...Wait. Why aren't you interested in him, Red? With all the things you do, I would have thought you'd be the first to want a go with our Nephew."

"What? With Lil Boss?" Red Hood laughed. "As if. I joke about it with Rapi, but he's like a little brother or something. Besides, I had enough of that stuff when I was a human. I still like looking at it, but the real deed? Pass." She paused and looked at Snow White. "But what about you, Snow? Curious? 'Cuz if you are, I wouldn't mind walking you through it with Lil Boss~"

"W-What?!" Snow White turned a beet red. "I would never!"

"Never say never~" Red Hood looked over at Scarlet. "What about you, Scarlet? If your Big Sis asks you to tag along one night, would you?"

"Th-That is... I-I would... H-He is my nephew!" Scarlet turned a beet red. "E-Even if I admire his way with a blade- I-I mean...!"

Andersen covered his face. "Good lord... Is this karma? It must be karma. For my son to have this much talent with women..."

Dorothy sighed. "...As loathe as I am in admitting this, Commander. My dear Nephew has the best parts of you and Lilith. Your looks and roguish charm tempered by Lilith's competence and restraint."

Red Hood perked up and said, "Does that mean you're interested, Snootie?"

Dorothy laughed. "Me? As if." She waved her hand. "Setting aside the unimaginably ridiculous brawl that would unfold..." She let out a warm smile and said, "...It's odd. But he truly feels like family to me. Just like you, Red Hood, Jacob seems more like a sibling than anything else."

Everyone was quiet.

Dorothy blinked and then said, "What is it?"

Snow White tilted her head. "...Jacob?"

"Hm?" Dorothy glanced at Andersen. "Did you not tell them yet, Commander?"

Snow White frowned and looked at Andersen as well. "Tell us what, Commander?"

"Oh, right." Andersen nodded. "So, my son calls himself Hoopa. But his government name is Jacob Ian Andersen. It's kind of funny, really. Jacob was one of the brothers of the Brother's Grimm. Since my full name is Hans Christian Andersen, I wonder if someone was playing a joke- Hm? What's with that look."

Dorothy's eye twitched as she smiled. "Commander?"

"Yes?"

"...Were you ever going to tell us that your name wasn't just Andersen?"

"I thought that was obvious? Everyone in the military is addressed by their last name." Andersen paused. "Well, almsot everybody. Burningum goes by Burningum because, well, it fits."

Snow White furrowed her brows. Then her eyes widened in realization before immediately turning blank in disbelief. "Commander."

"Yes, Snow?"

"...Are you telling me that you share a name with a famous fairytale author... and that you are the Commander to a Nikke squad with units named after fairytales. And also that your son, our nephew, is named after another fairytale author?"

"One of two since the Brothers Grimm were Jacob and Wilhelm, but yes."

"..."

"Surprised? Or disappointed?"

Snow White pinched the bridge of her nose and murmured, "Neither. Just concerned that the higher ups at the time seemed to have a sense of humor..."

Andersen chuckled. "Well. It WAS the end of the world. Had to stay lighthearted somehow. And..." He sighed. "...We were all hoping for a fairytale ending. It was only fitting we ran with namesakes for them."

Dorothy poured herself some wine from the bottle Red Hood opened. Then she said, "Since we are all here..." She swept her gaze across the table and said, "Should we talk about what we intend to do next?"

Snow White lowered her hand and nodded. "Yes. Since Goddess has reformed..." She looked over at Andersen. "Commander. Are we taking to active duty again?"

Andersen hummed and poured himself some wine too. After swirling it a bit, he said, "I still have a few things to settle in the Ark. Mostly paperwork. But we should start preparing." His eyes sharpened and he said, "That bitch needs to die."

Scarlet's eyes flashed and she said, "Indeed. I verily look towards the day mine blade doth cleave her neck from her body."

Red Hood frowned, tilting her head.

Andersen noticed and said, "What is it, Red?"

"...I feel like I'm forgetting something important." Red Hood massaged her head. "It definitely has to do with the Rapture Queen... Was it the Lift...?"

Dorothy raised an eyebrow and said, "...Isn't that just where the Raptures come from? If we destroy the Lift, we can stop the Rapture Queen, right?"

"No, not that. I mean, yes, but..." Red Hood trailed off, concentrating hard. Then her eyes opened in shock. She paled and said, "I remember."

"...Red Hood?" Andersen focused and said, "What is it?"

"Commander."

Hearing the fact that Red Hood called him by his title, Andersen tensed. "...Yes?"

Red Hood stared at Andersen and said, "Back then, in the past when I met Rapi... No, it'll take too long to explain. But basically... If we destroy the Lift, we destroy the Ark."

Andersen's eyes widened. "What?"