Awakening
The menu reveals an array of information about the two dolls. Amid a sea of information and an array of revelations I quickly note that the monitor says both dolls are "Lifelike Synthetics", and that they possess two different "Essences": the tall one possess an essence named "Peerless Beauty", and the shorter doll possesses an essence named "Pure Eroticism". Annoyingly, no information is displayed about the essences or what it means to be a "Lifelike Synthetic" doll.
"Love the… incomplete data." I say, allowing myself a beat to complain. Fortunately, the next section is more detailed. Beneath the areas that explain the "type" of dolls they are, and their essences, is a section that details their personalities. The tall doll is "Wifely", "Stoic and Noble", and the shorter doll is "Lively", and both dolls are "Lewd". Assuming every component of the dolls were deliberately designed, the information that were designed to be "Lewd" suggests a lot about their creator, but I push such thoughts out of my mind and focus on what else I can learn about the creatures.
The final section of the information available to me outlines their "Gifts". This section is curiously designed from a visual standpoint, and instead of being a list of abilities it's a set of three rows of images, and each row has four separate images. Seven of the twelve images are colored in, and five of the images are greyed out. I tap each of the vibrant images, ignoring the ones that aren't colored for now, and get a chance to be excited when boxes appear underneath each of the vibrant images and reveal text detailing the abilities.
The seven abilities are named "Separable Limbs", "Mentalpathy", "Magically Gifted", "Ventroquilist", "Living Likeness", "Complex Parts", and "Dress Up Mimic". The descriptions of these abilities are interesting, particularly "Mentalpathy", and "Dress Up Mimic". With "Mentalpathy" the dolls can send words and more via telepathy and even control dreams, and with "Dress Up Mimic" the dolls can exhibit skills related to the outfits they're wearing. All of these powers are interesting, but together… Well, together their potential is quite nice.
"Okay… I guess now it's time for me to turn them back on." I mutter, as I glance at the final section of the interface I'm looking at. It is a simple set of digital buttons that when pressed will reactivate the pair of dolls.
I take a second to review the data available to me, memorizing the information with a focused glance and an application of "Mental Archives", one of my perks, and while doing so I click on the images in the "Gift" section that weren't colored in. These gifts, "Replica Twin", "Meta-Material", "Mecha Musume'', "Spirit Possession", and "False Primulacra" are all fascinating, though aside from "Mecha Musume" and "Spirit Possession" none of the descriptions offer much detail as far as what new powers would be offered to dolls who possess, instead vaguely describing how the gifts alter the base states of the dolls.
When I am ready, I use both of my hands to press the buttons that'll turn on the dolls at the same time. The instant that I do there is a quick shifting of the symbols on the monitor that notes that the dolls are being awoken and filled with information that I am their new owner, as well as clarifies that the dolls will count as both "Objects" and "Creatures" as far as my perks go. That is intriguing to me and makes me laugh softly as I contemplate the implications of that.
I turn and get to see the eyes of both creatures open at the same time, as their lips curl upwards in gentle smiles. They turn towards me and even as I smile at them their eyes brighten and the glass bottles are abruptly lifted up into the air by denser, heavier metal tendrils than the ones used to contain the dolls. Those smaller tendrils also release the two nude "Objects", letting them quickly drop to the floor of the laboratory and a second later they begin to walk towards me.
When they begin to walk, I begin to be able to smell them. Their scents are pleasant, floral, and so natural feeling that I quickly realize that it must be something synthetic, especially since I don't know how long it's been since they were outside. This place hasn't been cleaned in a while, which is something I can only fully notice now as more and more of the perks I possess come to life within me.
I glance at both of the dolls and notice something wholly new. A gentle pink aura surrounds both of the dolls, and I can instinctively understand that these auras reflect a sort of awestruck excitement, particularly of the lovestruck kind. For a moment I wonder why that'd be their initial reaction, other than the possibility that this is a reflection of their programming, before I unconsciously recall the "Nymph's Kiss" perk I possess which is a beautifying perk that makes me better looking as well as making me far more graceful.
"Hello. My name is Mateo." I say, as the two beings gaze at me curiously, and I get to chuckle when their eyes widen as they realize they understand me. "Ethically Sourced" is a handy utilitarian ability that makes me an omniglot, at least as far as speaking goes; with it I can understand any spoken language and even grant other creatures the ability to speak back to me. It'll undoubtedly prove to be worth its weight in gold, especially since it's meant to be used to gather ingredients.
"Hello 'Mateo', it is very nice to meet you!" One of the dolls, the redheaded one, says to me. She has a chirper, lively voice and I can feel her energy even in the way she talks. As I look at her, new perks and abilities activate for the first time with one particularly handy ability named "Upgrade" causing words to appear next to her body.
The words are things like "Strength", "Intelligence", "Charisma", and even individual skills like "Seduction", "Poison-Handling", and other specific things. "Upgrade" gives me a better version of the ability commonly known as "Identify" or "Appraise" in video games, which lets me see both individual traits and how powerful they already are. If I want too, I can use "Upgrade" to channel stamina and other sources of energy into anything I can "Upgrade" to boost the qualities of things I am studying. I also have another handy power that'd let me do the same thing with money, if I had any…
"My fellow 'Living Synthetic' doll and I had names given to us by our previous master but I'd love for you to give me a name all your own." The doll tells me, while the other creature keeps her distance and politely waits for her… sister, of a sort, to finish speaking. I study her for a moment, as I think about how I ought to answer her request. Of course I'm going to oblige her, I just want to give her a good name. As I'm thinking about her request, the other doll walks up to me and studies me.
"Hello master. My name is Raquel, and I am quite fond of it. You may change it, if you wish, but if you'd like to continue to use my current name I'd be appreciative." She informs me, speaking politely but with a certain steel in her tone. I smile at her, and nod, quietly telling her I'll happily allow her to keep her name, before I turn back to the other doll and thinking for a moment longer.
"Would you like to be named Beth?" I ask the redheaded doll, causing her to smile brightly at me and nod.
"That's an excellent name!" She replies, happily. I smile at her, and let out a soft, surprised, laugh when she wraps her arms around me. I do not push her away, and listen as she giggles into my chest.
As she touches me I shudder almost imperceptibly and I sense faint imprints of memories, where people whose bodies are silhouettes, begin to flow into my mind. I instinctively know what this is: psychometry, the ability to know something's past by touching it. This is, unsurprisingly, the effect of a perk. It also must have just awakened since it did not take effect when I touched the monitor even moments ago…
"You're very pretty." She tells me, causing me to smirk at her though I almost immediately relax the expression as I take in the "Lively" aspect of her personality. Raquel is watching the two of us, and the look on her face is mixed. I can see that she is happy for Beth, but also that she… appears to desire some attention herself. Balancing the needs of the two dolls will undoubtedly be interesting. I glance at the monitor and notice something intriguing when I read the latest shift in the letters on the screen.
"Achievement: Awakener. Reward: incremental progress earned towards related origins." The screen reads, causing my eyebrow to rise in curiosity.
"Hey… Do either of the two of you know what is happening with the monitor?" I ask, relying on the power of "Ethically Sourced" to do some of the heavy lifting with translating the concept of a "Monitor" to my allies. They look at me quizzically and shake their heads.
"Apologies Mateo, we are unable to read the contents of the monitor. For some reason we cannot meaningfully interact with the more essential technology powering the house. We're not sure if it's a flaw in the technology making us up, or if it was somehow… an intended security measure." Raquel explains causing me to let out a quiet sigh.
"I see… That's strange, and something we'll investigate in time." I reply, causing Raquel's eyes to widen in a mixture of shock and delight. She doesn't reply, but I can sense her aura subtly shifting. The symbols on the monitor shift again, and this time the message is both more disturbing and more intriguing than any of the other messages have been.
"Notes On Doll Creation: Dolls can be created in one of two ways. Greater dolls can be created through the usage of technology situated throughout the estate and the arcane knowledge and tools left behind by the Dollmaker. These dolls can be created from non-living material, and can be divvied up into the following four types of dolls: Living Synthetics, Magic Clockwork, Plain Traditional, and Shiny Metallics." The symbols read, causing me to wonder what else I am about to learn even as the symbols begin to shift again.
"Lesser dolls can be created through means unique to each of the four doll types. Living Synthetics specialize in the subjugation of living creatures and can transform them into lesser dolls by forcing or tricking them into consuming their false flesh. Other doll types specialize in transforming different creatures and objects into dolls, with Magic dolls specializing in transforming magical objects into dolls, Plain dolls specializing in transforming spirits into dolls, and Shiny dolls specializing in transforming mundane objects into dolls." The shifted text explains, causing me to pause as I read it.
"So dolls can be created from other living beings huh? Now that's interesting…" I mumble, before shaking my head and focusing on the present.
I lift my hand off of the monitor and place it back on the thing. This causes the set of options from before, the ones that revealed the "Doll status and modification menu", to reappear. I glance at them again, taking time to study each of them, even as I figure that I must lack the experience needed to make use of the "Modification" aspect of the ""Doll status and modification menu", which is annoying but it's also not a big deal. I am incredibly new, so it makes sense that I can't do everything right away.
The visible series of options includes "Origin and Perk Notes", "Estate Modification Menu", and some… glitched options where even my eyes cannot make out what was supposed to be written out. Out of curiosity I tap on the option that might allow me to learn about origins and watch as the symbols on the monitor shift once more.
When they are done rearranging themselves I get to see the four terms I'm familiar with, all written out in an impressive size. "Culinary Warrior", "Enchanter", "Hedge Mage", and "Merchant", are joined by two equally large terms; "Dimensional Traveler", and "Clergy". I can assume that "Clergy" has something to do with religion, gods, and spirits, but "Dimensional Traveler" is a complete mystery to me. And while I can assume I have some basic understanding of what "Clergy" means in this context, I can also sense that if it's here, that means there must be more to it then I know. These also aren't the only things that are now listed out.
In considerably smaller text I can see the words "Hedonist", "Harem Protagonist", "Scoundrel", "Romantic" and "Monster" written underneath them in the curiously precise letters used by the language the monitor is designed to work in. I can also see special words written in much brighter colors than the ones I just mentally mentioned, "Hypnotist", "Chemist", "Magician", "Inventor", "Psionist", and "Chi-Manipulator". Some of the words, "Harem Protagonist", "Hypnotist", "Chi-Manipulator", and "Magician" all have bars underneath them and the bars are partially colored in, suggesting that I've somehow made progress towards either unlocking them.
"These words are… mildly concerning." I say, thinking of ones like "Monster" and "Hynotist" before chuckling and trying to tap on one of the ones I haven't unlocked. When I do the letters shake and I shake my head. I guess until I unlock the origin, or at least make sufficient progress in them, I can't learn about them. I tap on "Hedge Mage" and I am unsurprised when the thing works and new symbols appear beside the term that explain it to me.
"'In a world where grand archmages,'" I begin, reading the description aloud. I take a few moments to read the entire description and as I do I come to appreciate the neat ways that even "Minor" magic can be surprisingly devastating in the right hands.
In essence, a "Hedge Mage" is a self-taught user of the arcane form of reality-warping sometimes called "Magic". At least in this "Setting" it seems that there is a stigma against self-taught practitioners of the arcane arts, but judging from both the description and the perks I know I have, "Hedge Mages" are not actually weaker than "Archmages", they merely have a different way of utilizing and studying the arcane than formal wizards do. I do wonder how "Hedge Mage" will stack up against "Magician", one of the origins it seems that I can unlock.
I quickly tap on the words "Merchant", "Enchanter", and "Culinary Warrior", and take in the descriptions of each of the terms. They are all decently detailed, allowing me to learn that "Merchant" is about more than merely the buying and selling of material goods or services but actually refers to creatures who can gain power through wealth. I also learn that "Enchanters" are akin to Skyrim and broader Elder Scrolls setting enchanters who modify materials and create wonderful, magical objects and all sorts of potent magitech inventions.
"Culinary Warriors" are the most unusual of all of the "Origins" I can learn about as they are the most unlike anything I am familiar with. They are warrior-magician-chefs who can empower themselves and their allies with food, as well as do things like masterfully control their bodies, and even create life from food, so long as they were the ones who prepared the food in question.
I knew about all of this through perks, but seeing it explained narratively is something else, something somehow more real, and it helps cement the reality of these powers in my mind. I think it's something to do with it removing the video-game-like feel of seeing a context-less list of abilities and talents, and actually discussing how these powers can seem in reality.
"I'm a master of four pathways to power…" I say, reverentially. The dolls smile at me, and Raquel puts her hand on my shoulder. I quickly steel myself as I sense memories flow into my mind, ones equally shrouded to the ones remembered by Beth.
"Four pathways? You really are a worthy successor to our creator." She says, admiringly. I can sense that she trusts me implicitly, and I place one of my hands on hers. Her skin is remarkably human-like, which is in keeping with her nature as a "Living Synthetic" and a possessor of the "Living Likeness" gift.
"Alright. I think it's time we get out of here." I say, turning to smile at the dolls, before I make use of the monitor to go over to the "Estate Modification Menu". When the letters shift there is only one option, and somehow seeing it explains a lot.
"Estate Status: Locked Down"
I tap on the words and see a prompt to shut off the status, which I immediately elect to do. As I tap on this option I feel the floor beneath me begin to shudder and vibrate, and I look up in the opposite direction of the bed just in time to see a door seem to carve itself into the wall and come into being. When it's done doing that I glance back at the monitor and chuckle when I see the new words it is displaying.
"Estate Status: Neutral"
"Well… Okay. I think it's time we explore our home. What do you say, ladies?" I say, to my dolls, which makes both of them smile warmly at me. They silently follow me to the door, and when I reach it I easily push the thing open and find myself in a warm hallway unlit by any torch or lanterns. Doors line both of the walls that surround me, and I resolve to open each of them as I pass them by.
For the next hour, give or take, my companions and I get to enjoy a peaceful walk. Our journey down the hallway begins with me discovering that a sort of super generalized living area is where the door closest to the strange lab the dolls were housed leads. This area includes a pantry stocked with basic foods, a normal bedroom as opposed to a bed in the laboratory, a bathroom, and a tiny "Living Room".
The next room we find is a combination sewing-room/modeling room where I discover tools fit for a tailor, a decent amount of materials like cloth and dye, and even a healthy amount of pre-existing outfits. This leads me to wonder more about the man who made the dolls, since this room clearly exists to maximize the power of "Dress Up Mimic". While we are here I also outfit the dolls in outfits that hide their nude bodies, garb which is identified as "Commoner" clothes, at least according to "Upgrade"
We discover an abundant range of rooms, several of which revolve around crafting. I am delighted to discover things like an alchemy lab, a basic laboratory, a small and well-loved art studio, a forge complete with molds for basic armor and weapons, and even a gun workshop, as well as a room contained two powered down arcane devices that my dolls quickly explain can do things like transmute objects and fabricate goods, at least when they are sufficiently powered.
We also quickly find various "Quality of Life" rooms, from the bathing chamber I saw on the monitor earlier to a large wine cellar that makes me realize how young I really am. On Earth, at least in America, I could not legally drink. Now I own a sprawling estate, and have inherited living, clearly magitech property.
By the time we finish exploring the hallway and reach its other end I find myself aware of all of my powers and keenly sensitive to them coursing through me. I also know where we are, with respect to the rest of the house: we're at the front door.
I know this because each object I've touched, from every door to every bit of food, has infused me with snippets of memories of the previous owner and fragments of conversations I've half-heard in these memories have given me more knowledge than I once had. I can half-remember conversations he had with the dolls that now serve me, and even quick chats he had with rare visitors to the estate. "It Has A History", the perk that gives me psychometry is incredibly handy, and it's one of those perks that will undoubtedly prove worth its weight in gold soon.
I touch the doorknob and chuckle as I feel more memories flow into my mind. This time I remember the conversation the dollmaker had when he last opened this door, a conversation with Raquel about how he felt it was his time. I still can't see his face, nor hers, but I can recognize her voice with ease. I push the memory aside, and I open the door, closing my eyes to really take in the scent that a gentle breeze blows my way: the familiar scent of ocean-air filling my nostrils.
I step past the door and immediately feel my feet step into sand, as I open my eyes and take in the sight of the picturesque area the dollmaker elected to retire in. I am standing on the very edge of the boundary between a scenic grassland plain and a lengthy beach that is distantly consumed by a massive, crystal clear ocean. I can distantly see a large dock, where a handful of boats are moored to the stone eddifices which dominate that part of the coast. I can also see the very edges of distant islands, and I wonder if where I'm standing is itself an island.
"I see the dollmaker was a tropical man… Smart." I say, as I admire the stunning sight before me.
"He thought the warmth of the ocean would be good for his health. He wasn't wrong. When his life ended it was on his own terms, and not due to what he dubbed the 'Cruel whims of nature'." Beth explains, casually though I can hear her fondness for the figure in her voice.
So the old man went out on his own terms huh? In none of "my" memories do I recall seeing him as a corpse. If it's true that he went out on his own terms I might be able to use some of my spookier perks to make contact with him and even channel his energy and expertise.
I continue to gaze at the distant ocean, and am surprised when I see human-like silhouettes made of water emerge from the ocean, leaping into the air with etheric smiles on their faces before gravity drags them back to the ocean. The sight of them stuns me a bit, and I hear a soft giggle from Raquel.
"Did you just see ocean spirits?" She asks, before quickly elaborating. "They look a bit like… people, but made of water?" She adds, causing me to smile at her and nod.
"Yeah, they live around here. They are playful, but unless you have an innate affinity to water they can look invisible. They can allow themselves to be seen, but we can't see them so they must not be doing that right now. You can see them and as far as I can tell none of your items are enchanted… You must have some curious affinity to them!" She tells me, delightedly.
"The dollmaker could see them. He could see earth and water spirits without any sort of external aid. I think it's why he chose this place, the… transitory place between a land of earth and a realm of water, as where he'd live out the twilight years of his life." Raquel reveals, and her remarks make me wonder if there are earth spirits somewhere near the house that I just haven't seen yet.
As I think about that I go to close the door and in so doing get a chance to lay my eyes on the other side of the thing. There's a handy looking backpack shrouded in arcane energy, hazing off of the thing, placed on the other doorknob! I grab it and I close my eyes as I shunt the latest of the alien memories to enter my mind to the back of my thoughts, even as I watch the potent arcane energies of the backpack begin to cling to me.
I sense the item's energies begin to seep into my hand even as I look at the object with a more purposeful gaze. I target it with "Upgrade", which causes me to laugh delightedly when I learn its true nature. The item is akin to a "Bag of Holding" from D&D, a sort of "Bigger on the inside" type backpack, but with various nifty bonuses. My companions look at me curiously, and then they gasp when I make the object disappear with one of my "Merchant" perks.
"That… was a very special bag. It has some fun enchantments." I state, cryptically, though as the bag disappears it becomes one of my possessions and I sense my mind filling with knowledge of the fact that there were already items in it… Items which themselves are quite handy.
"I can identify the features and abilities of things and people. That bag is something special." I state, which my companions process with curiosity and then quietly accept.
There aren't many objects in the bag, but the ones that exist will surely prove to be quite handy, particularly as it relates to making new friends with the power of food. I turn to my companions and smirk as I get a good idea.
"Wanna go and make some friends?" I ask, causing Raquel's eyes to fill with curiosity, and Beth's eyes to widen with excitement.
"It's been so long since we've stretched our legs, and on our first day serving you we get to go meet some spirits? How wonderful!" She exclaims, excitedly, as she becomes the first of us to walk in the direction of the distant ocean. Raquel laughs softly and shakes her head at her fellow doll, before she begins to walk after the cute redhead.