
Cecil
Calm and firm researcher, Cecil has a innately acute sense of smell and a great interest in studying scents since young. After joining Night Chains, her research has achieved considerable success. While it isn't tough approaching Cecil, you'll definitely face her disdain if you've come into contact with something pungent. Long-time Night Chains members also agree: when Cecil shows particular interest and closeness to someone, that person should be on guard.
After years of observation and research, Cecil discovered that it was possible to influence the behavior of living things through smell to some extent. Notably, when some of the constituents were artificially amplified, the effect of smell could even penetrate the strongest barrier of reason and directly cause an irresistible influence on the central nervous system.
Despite the circumstantial limitations, Cecil still used her superior sense of smell and avid exploration desire to collate a fair bit of data and practical experience, then presented her thesis to Night Chains (though "odorology" research hadn't even been recognized by the academic world at the time). Once Night Chains supplied her with the essentials to create an odorology lab, she pretty much dived back eagerly into her research again.
The scent sprays studied by Cecil are included but are not limited to sprays that can quickly relax people when used in moderation or sedate when used excessively, sprays that can boost nerve conduction efficiency, sprays that can affect people's stored memory, sprays that can make someone feel naturally dizzy, and et cetera. These sprays, which are more convenient to use than conventional medication, are being developed one by one as of now, and thanks to their practicality, even B.C.R.L. members purchase them through specific channels to use them in some special operations.
Talents like a "keen sense of smell" is undoubtedly a double-edged sword. As Cecil's sense of smell is seriously overly sensitive, there are some cooking ingredients whose smell she can't tolerate at all, and those imperceptible body scents caused by diet changes will also be intensified for her. One thing she really dislikes is getting people's awful scent on her, so she tends to have several tricks up her sleeve to prevent that.
In contrast to most people who judge by sight, Cecil is more used to determining her first impression of people via smell. With this standard, gender or appearance no longer matters that much to her. The effect of this 'primitive sensory stimulation brought by a sensitive sense of smell' has made the sagacious Cecil extremely devoted to her instinct. Whenever she "smells" someone interesting, she'll actively approach and befriend them, which mostly works out in her favor in view of her amiable good looks.
So far, her only setback is probably when she heard that a fellow Night Chains employee Mr. Sagi had welcomed a newcomer named Wensheng, who also categorized people by scent, she confidently went to ask him if he'd like to join her project, only to be turned down. Wensheng's response was, "You reek of medicine," but Cecil was positive she didn't smell like that. Regardless, with her dedication toward the research of smell, this tiny setback isn't even worth mentioning.
Cecil's research has already entered the experimental phase. She has tried incorporating all sorts of scent sprays into combat situations and has also started consulting on fragrances used in establishments under Night Chains. In one of her reports, she proved a theoretical perspective with loads of arguments: Smell can affect people's impression of a place and mood... This report quickly became a decision-making reference for various major businesses.
Statistics show that every Bonfire City's residents have different preferences for fragrances. Frostville City's residents like the smell of warm stoves and stews, while Cape City's residents are inclined to the smell of coastal plants. So long as one makes use of these scents, one will be able to rapidly create ambiences that better suit one's target groups, which will naturally increase the time customers linger around and consequently boost one's product sales. As business revenues were the first to substantiate Cecil's theory, her salary has been raised multifold.
Cecil makes sure every type of perfume or spray goes through the experimental process in order to produce satisfactory products. In her opinion, the most perfect tester is none other than her friend Nabi. That Executor who always desires nothing and has a fainter scent than a NC Ninja never fails to comply with Cecil's research criteria and provide ideal feedback. In a sense, Nabi may have had a part to play in Cecil's success.
Cecil's lifestyle is exceptionally simple. She basically only spends time in the laboratory and her home day in and day out. If there aren't any outdoor missions or a need to purchase anything, she will never complicate her life, for going somewhere new means coming into contact with impure smells, and she is of the belief she has to ensure "her senses remain pure." It is also the reason why she dislikes pungent food and unhygienic people, but it's a double-edged sword; if she doesn't experience enough scent samples, she will lose touch with the world too.
This problem has troubled Cecil for a long time, and it was only recently that she seemed to have found a solution. On The Eternal, she occupied a small area and ensured it was relatively clean and odorless before waiting aside for the crew and passengers to pass by... If a foreign or interesting smell were to waft up her nostrils, she would seek out the source and dive into an interrogation.
Since there were people from all walks of life on the train, such a method did facilitate Cecil's scent sample collection. Still, from time to time, some special people will also pass by, such as those who lack a scent, those who have particularly bizarre scents, and those who smell sweet but are inexplicably unpleasant.
Whenever Cecil expresses obvious aversion toward someone's scent, the Conductor is obliged to step in right away lest an armed conflict erupts on the train.
I'm Cecil, a Scent Researcher... I don't dislike your scent. Nice to meet you.
Conductor? I can tell it's you without looking. Your scent is rather unique...
I specialize in physiognomy. Simply put, I study scents that can affect biological behavioral responses.
Although most people don't realize it, scents can actually influence a person's status. Want to try it?
Please forgive me for wearing gloves when shaking hands. I can't stand the smell of others on my hands.
There are so many words to compliment looks, but only a few for scent. People are really dull when it comes to scents.
I'll judge a person's first impression based on their scent. For example, Conductor, I actually quite like the scent on you... What's with that look? Did I surprise you?
I also go out to make friends and socialize during my free time... Or even call it flirting. It's because I need more samples to aid my research.
Arina... I don't get along with that woman. Her scent is very dangerous... I advise you to stay away from her.
Perfuming is just a hobby. Want to give it a try?... No? Don't worry. I haven't added anything strange.
I can never wrap my head around the concept of eating with hands. How can anyone tolerate having that smell on their skin...
Scented cleaning products are really annoying, as industrial synthetic scents just smell bad.
I heard the sales of the scent sprays I developed are doing well. This is just the beginning. Aromatherapy will be applied to more areas in the future.
Conductor—? Where are you? It's okay if you don't come out. I can find you quickly just by your scent.
I'll do whatever it takes, and I doubt you'd disagree with that.
Just take it as an experiment.
Don't worry. Just cramps at most.
Try this.
...I've had enough. Wipe them all out.
To think this would happen to me too...
Sorry... Please take care of the rest.
Since this is mostly thanks to me, it's just reasonable for me to ask for some rewards, right?