A card composed of blank, pale white light materialized after the bracelet pulsated that same light. The soft luminescence slowly filled out details in a cursive script as a pinching sensation drew his fascination into the bunch of orbs.
[Vere Blanchett. Rank: N/A Affiliation: N/A Year: 1]
>Will you log your particular data?
The machine prompted words in his head telepathically with a dull voice. This science fiction machine didn't seem all that different from a fantasy book, but he could swear he physically felt a scientist glower at these thoughts.
His eyes looked at all the N/A's, which his apt mind pegged for Not Applicable. If his affiliation wasn't Morlund, he wasn't any different from a freelance agent. It was odd, to say the least.
Why would someone who wanted to use me for their department's benefit not link his waist to theirs?
"So, what am I supposed to make of this N/A? Am I not accepted to Old Westwood's?" Vere probed, deliberating on whether or not to log his so-called particular data onto this device. Morrigan beamed in response as if waiting for this same query.
"It's an extension of goodwill. I shouldn't have, seeing as your first instinct was to point a gun in my face—but I like your style. Also, if I just recruit you, I won't be able to give you any cases. So you're a freelance agent."
"Oh, you don't have to worry about logging your data. That SAD isn't linked to any Overseer Godhead, so nobody will know your traits but yourself. Umm…it's not that upgraded, so you won't be able to see your stats—but you like old stuff, right? A genuine antique hunter~!"
Vere tilted his head in confusion, using the movement to give Morrigan an affirmative, even smile. Inwardly, his mind fluctuated at different speeds.
Antique hunter could mean that she didn't ACTUALLY think he was from the past—which was good. But, on the other hand, she could've used a metaphor the entire time, calling him an old-fashioned man. And since he didn't have any memories, you could argue that his mannerisms were all habits he established in the past.
Inside the center of his mind, a spot of relief emerged for a second. It was quickly refined and tightened into wariness, keeping his hungry eyes searching for details that would help his efforts going forward.
He'll do these cases, only to search for C. The energy of the B-Side resembled the sensations of the Desire Crevices immensely, resulting in a beckoning feeling enveloping him completely. It was time to go on the hunt for clues.
He brought his hand up to his chin, a finger looped around his mouth as he confirmed.
The information was updated as such.
[Vere Blanchett. Rank: N/A Affiliation N/A Year:1
<
Stats:
Sensus: NULL
Rami: NULL
A-NULL + (I)
C-NULL + (II)
I-NULL + (I)
M-NULL + (I)
E-NULL + (II)
Overall CF Tier: I
Particular Traits: Transformation ????? - MKI, Gunsmanship - MKII, Edith - MKI, Helanthe Physique - MKI …
Transformation ????? - +1 Conspiracy (Further things locked.)
Marksmanship - +1 Conspiracy, +1 Authority
Edith - A certain something, a certain someone. +1 Ego
Helanthe Physique - +1 Ego, +1 Inquisitor]
A bunch of words with unfamiliar terms spread before his eyes as the card elongated before shrinking back to standard size. Since he didn't know what these terms meant, he could only inquire.
"What is a Rami, and why is it null?" He asked, mulling over the contents of his Warden ID.
"Okay, what?? You literally just did some Branch skills a moment ago, or was all that Cognitive Force wreathing around you a hallucination?" She seemed visibly shocked by this, her lips forming an "O" shape before her face crumpled.
"…Okay." Vere still didn't know anything about what she was referring to. He could only act like the fool he was at this moment.
"Look, you're either joking, or you have some Special Traits that grant you some shit you REALLY shouldn't have yet. But you're still a detective if that null sign isn't a N/A. We just have to awaken your Thought Nexus." Morrigan spat a long gust of air out of her lacquered lips and advanced.
Vere's hand was already on the handle of his revolver before she was even halfway to him.
And a muzzle jutted into her face as her form blurred, appearing directly in front of the sights of his gun.
Click.
A finger gingerly squeezed at the trigger, just looking for the excuse to fire.
"Geez, chill out! Would it hurt you to believe someone for once? I'm gonna help you, so just let me." Morrigan pouted, and Vere sported a grin as he aimed the barrel upwards.
"Okay, if you're so eager to help me, then let me know where I can get some bullets." He leaned in close, playing with his own emotions in such a way that he presented himself as a prankster. A mischievous man with a gun in his hand.
Morrigan side-eyed him but didn't call out the obtuse situation.
"That comes after this, alright? Honestly, who even uses guns anymore."
"You did."
"It was harmless and not something I'd normally do."
"That explains your lousy marksmanship." He softly laughed while his irises slid over to meet her indignant look.
Morrigan puffed her cheeks but didn't protest further. Black tendrils cloaked her form, and a thin wispy haze seemed to give her a more robust feel. Again, a threatening appeal, as if he was looking at her in a new light.
She pressed her thumbs against his cheek and pulled his head down to meet hers. Black radiance shimmered like a pool of stars beneath the glow of the dusk, flowing deep into a place where four wisps lay waiting.
In the center of the formation of colored wisps, a clear light took the shape of a man. It seemed to be a blurred reflection of Vere as if someone tossed a stone at his reflection in the lake.
The wisps spun to action, one a pale purple, another a faint blue, one a split combination of rich red and mustard yellow, and the last a light shade of black.
They curled around the clear Vere-shaped figure, sprouting into either branches or vines. Leaves threatened to burgeon from the nip-like blossoms, and they enshrouded the vaguely humanoid clear Vere and transformed it back into a wisp.
A pearlescent wisp.
Woosh, a bone-rattling sensation, transmogrified the depths of his soul at that moment. Something appeared from nothing as if the truth was hiding underneath a blanket.
He was just too blind to feel it before.
His eyes opened, reflecting the smiling guise of the woman he still didn't trust. Her charming eyes that lacked vitality but made up for it in inviting vibes backed away as his form leaked multicolored streaks of aura all at once.
Most prominent was the red and yellow mix. It coated his hands, face, and lips before fading into his skin.
Purple tendrils held his hair aloft for a second before surging towards his messy strands.
Blue mist melded with his veins as it invaded his pores and black-cloaked his whole frame until it was absorbed.
He had awakened the abilities lying dormant in the subconscious of his mind, the untapped potential that made him a Warden candidate.
If he could see his status right now, he would see a Roman numeral signifying 1 by all of his Rami stats.
"You feel awake now, right? It's always such a revitalizing feeling; everyone says so." As Vere looked at her form, he noticed something was hovering over her head. It cast a faint shadow on the world around it, and Morrigan's left eye leaked a purple gleam as she seemed to comprehend something.
"You can see my Sensus? That's a puzzle. You don't have one yet…." She muttered to herself with an intrigued expression creeping into her body language.
Vere could notice a lot more about her body language now. If his other assertions were shots in the dark, he had a candle, at least now. More details were offered to him at a cursory glance than ever before.
He was impressed—not with himself, mind you. About the same world he had woken up in. This was the kind of thing he only dreamed of!
Or at least that's what he thought. As Morrigan broke away from her musings, so too did he.
"So, you saw those wisps, right? How many did you have?"
"Five." Vere readily gave the answer, unsure where she was going with this. Her eyes widened like saucers before quickly being subdued.
"Impressive, but that's not necessarily a good thing. So many detectives with high-tier talents like yours didn't know how to invest their efforts and got dashed all over the pavement, so to speak. I started out with Three and artificially implanted another one, but I at least know what I'm talking about.
Rami, or in other words, a Branch. The insight you gain into each Branch represents the pure echelon of potential you've reached that current moment. The natural limit is 13, or XIII in Roman numerals. I heard there are ways to circumvent the natural limit, but it usually isn't a good idea.
Of course, there are plenty of artificial ways to surpass this limit. Particular Traits are one such thing; even the stuff you wield and wear can affect your Rami differently.
Now, pay extra attention. I know I'm rambling but bear with me. There are 5 distinct sectors of Rami, and one is present in everyone. This is called your Ego, and it gives unique abilities only you can wield. It also acts as a vessel and influence for your other Rami, allowing them to pick up your traits and develop unique skills even within the Branches that are available to everyone.
First, we have Authority. This is the Rami that utilizes Cognitive Force to strengthen your presence and your ability to confront others. It relies on intimidation and the will to embroil in blatant physical contact. One must have the ability to kill in order to properly use this.
Then, we have Conspiracy. This is the Rami that utilizes Cognitive Force and Details to charm, beguile, and deduct. The primary feature is the Conspiracy Board, where any good detective links details together to form a central conjecture over a Case. After that, bluffs, facades, and mind games are where you shine.
Next up is Inquisitor. This Rami allows you to lean into your interrogative side, implant ideas into your Suspect, and rely on your hunches to determine your actions' validity. Things will be less distracting to your keen eyes but be careful not to work on a wrong hunch.
And lastly is Mystic. This Rami is blatant manipulation of the Cognitive Force to produce Thought Power, which can do odd, esoteric, and spiritual abilities. Things with significance to your Suspect will become like conjured assistants waiting at your beck and call, the facts turning into reality under the influence of your Cognition.
While there isn't a precise mapping for what beats what, there is a general rule to this sort of thing. Conspiracy bluffs out of Inquisitor, Inquisitor sees through the esotericism of the Mystic, the Mystic makes the Authority feel unsure, and Authority hasn't the time to listen to a Conspirator's bullshit. The situations do vary, though…."
Morrigan was finally done with her explanations, and Vere kept her words in mind. The woman gave a coy look as she gasped for breath, a rosy complexion spreading on her face.
"Want to give it a try? A Case that is?"